GC named 2024 Tree Campus for its work with MLGC, Forest Service
McHenry, MD – The Arbor Day Foundation has designated Garrett College as a 2024 Tree Campus.
In recently announcing the award, the Foundation said Garrett College earned that designation through a review of its “commitment to environmental stewardship, sustainability, and community engagement.” Garrett College staff and students have been collaborating with the Mountain Laurel Garden Club (MLGC) and the Maryland Forest Service on an initiative to transform the College’ physical environment with a series of campus plantings.
“We were successful in forming an advisory committee, writing a campus tree care plan, and creating a service-learning project aimed at engaging the student body,” said MLGC co-President Linda Harris. “This allowed us to be organized in our goals and objectives, and to work toward beautifying and improving the campus green spaces.”
Harris commended Western Region Urban & Community Forestry Coordinator Katherine Phillips and Maryland Forest Service Garrett/Allegany Project Manager Melissa Nash for their assistance, including helping to “choose great plants for our landscaping projects.”
Harris also praised Garrett College’s collaborative nature in creating a plan that resulted in the 2024 Tree Campus designation.
“Our partnership with Garrett College has been exceptionally rewarding and successful because of the support the College has given us to lead planting projects on campus,” said Harris. “The support has come from many different departments and people at the College.”
Dr. Richard Midcap, Garrett College’s president, said the partnership with MLGC and the Maryland Forest Service is “dramatically improving our campus outdoor environment.”
“We appreciate the efforts of the Garden Club and the Forest Service in enhancing the College’s green spaces,” added Midcap.
“Trees on campus improve air quality and boost physical health benefits for students and staff,” said Harris. “Trees also improve students’ mental and cognitive health, providing an appealing aesthetic for campuses, and create shaded areas for gathering and studying.”
