OSKALOOSA — On Friday, April 25th, William Penn University celebrated Arbor Day by planting bur oak, white oak, and pecan trees outside of Wilcox Library, a significant step in meeting the requirements for the Tree Campus Higher Education designation. This special Arbor Day event showcased the university’s ongoing commitment to sustainability, environmental stewardship, and the enhancement of its green spaces.
Greek life groups Pi Gamma Xi and Delta Beta Phi volunteered their time and energy to help plant the trees, reinforcing the spirit of service and community involvement that defines William Penn. A heartfelt thank you goes to Cargill for generously providing the saplings, making this day of celebration and action possible.
William Penn University has proudly been recognized as one of only ten colleges in Iowa to achieve the prestigious Tree Campus Higher Education designation. This honor highlights WPU’s dedication to creating a healthier and more sustainable environment for students, staff, and the broader community. The Tree Campus Higher Education program offers a trusted framework for campuses to foster sustainable forestry practices. Beyond beautifying the campus, trees contribute to creating resilient, vibrant learning spaces where students can thrive.
To earn this distinction, WPU met the program’s five core standards:
- Establishing a Campus Tree Advisory Committee
- Developing a comprehensive tree care plan
- Allocating annual funding for tree-related initiatives
- Organizing an Arbor Day observance
- Engaging students in a meaningful service-learning project
These efforts reflect the university’s commitment to preserving and enhancing its natural resources for future generations.
As part of an ongoing tradition, William Penn University will plant new trees annually in celebration of Arbor Day, ensuring the continuity of its green initiatives. Beyond Tree Campus recognition, WPU is laying the groundwork for an exciting future project: the creation of an arboretum. This living collection of trees will serve as an outdoor classroom, inspiring environmental education, research, and conservation efforts while further beautifying the campus.
The success of WPU’s tree initiatives is made possible through collaboration with dedicated local and university partners, including Trees Forever, the Soil & Water Conservation District Coordinators, Sodexo Grounds & Facilities staff, Mahaska County Conservation Board, Green Iowa AmeriCorps members, WPU faculty, staff, volunteers, and students. Their collective efforts have created a lasting impact on the university’s landscape and its legacy of environmental responsibility.
