From left to right: Farrukh Bashir, AVP, Facilities Management, Andy Dahl, Campus Arborist, Landscape Services, and Jeff Georndt, State Forester, Iowa DNR, pictured at the Tree Campus award luncheon in Ankeny, IA on April 8.

The University of Iowa was honored with the Tree Campus Higher Education Award for 2025 at the Annual Community Forestry Awards Luncheon on April 8.  The award was presented by the Arbor Day Foundation and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny.

 “The Tree Campus Higher Education award is a symbol for universities and colleges who continually strive to educate and engage their students and surrounding community about the benefits of trees and exhibit excellence in their tree management,” says State Forester Jeff Goerndt. “Your campus has provided an outstanding example for other Iowa colleges and universities, by enhancing our forest resources and demonstrating the great value of trees in providing multiple benefits for future generations."

The University of Iowa is one of only eight Tree Campus Higher Education award winners in Iowa. To receive the award, a campus must, at a minimum, have a campus Tree Advisory Committee, a tree care plan, a tree program with dedicated annual expenditures, an annual Arbor Day observance, and a service-learning project to engage the student body.

The UI also recently had its level II Arboretum Accreditation renewed through March of 2031. This ongoing recognition of professional standards and capabilities bears significance for our organization and for tree-focused public gardens.  Our shared purpose to plant and conserve trees, and accreditation in this work acknowledges our commitment to and fulfillment of professional criteria.