Columbus State University News

Rooted in sustainability: Columbus State earns 8th consecutive Tree Campus USA designation

February 20, 2026

Five people working together to plant a tree on a grassy campus lawn. Two students use shovels to move dirt while others stabilize the thin trunk and prepare the site in front of a large academic building.

Columbus State University is once again proving that its commitment to campus sustainability is a growing legacy with strong roots. For the eighth consecutive year, the Arbor Day Foundation has recognized the university as a Tree Campus USA Higher Education institution.

“This prestigious designation is awarded to universities that demonstrate a deep-seated commitment to campus forestry, environmental stewardship and active student engagement in sustainability,” said Kelly Wilson, CEFP, CSU’s assistant vice president for university operations and chief facilities officer. “Maintaining this status for nearly a decade underscores the university’s dedication to creating a healthy, sustainable environment for students, employees and the Columbus community.”

Low-angle shot of several young men using shovels to dig holes for a new tree. A man in a blue shirt stands among them, directing the work. In the center background, a large brick clock tower stands against a bright, partly cloudy sky.To mark this milestone and celebrate Georgia Arbor Day—annually the third Friday in February—the students and faculty from the Beta Beta Beta (Tri-Beta) collegiate biology honor society, Students for a Sustainable World, and the Department of Earth & Space Sciences helped plant four new oak trees on the Main Campus grounds near the Whitley Clock Tower (pictured, with Dr. Troy Keller of the Department of Earth & Space Sciences providing guidance) and Jordan and Stanley halls. These trees, donated by Diversified Trees of Pine Mountain, Georgia, will provide shade, improve air quality, and enhance the campus’ natural beauty for generations to come.

The university is also flying the Tree Campus flag through Feb. 23. This flag serves as a visible symbol of the university’s ongoing environmental efforts and its place among an elite group of institutions nationwide that prioritize urban forestry.

The Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree Campus Higher Education program honors colleges and universities for effective campus forest management and for engaging students and staff in conservation goals. By achieving this for eight years running, Columbus State continues to lead by example, fostering a campus culture that values ecological responsibility and sustainability as much as academic excellence.

Main image: Columbus State University students, aided by Dr. Troy Keller of the Department of Earth & Space Sciences, plant a young oak tree outside Jordan Hall on the university's Main Campus.

Media contact: Michael Tullier, APR, Executive Director of Strategic Communication + Marketing, 706.507.8729, mtullier@columbusstate.edu