University of Alabama at Birmingham
IN-26: Innovation C

The UAB Facilities Division created a process to evaluate the trees and estimate their worth; if a tree or group of trees must be removed during construction, new trees equal to the value of those removed must be planted at the site or the equivalent dollar amount added to the University Tree Fund. As part of the procedure, all trees on campus have been assessed for value, based on age and location. The goals of the procedure are: - to maintain a net zero loss of trees on campus through preservation and mitigation practices due to construction, - to inform all parties involved in construction about the value of trees on campus, - to protect trees from the beginning of the construction process until the completion of the project, and - to establish procedures to ensure communication among all parties in setting forth expectations concerning tree protection. UAB’s commitment to the preservation of its campus greenspace and trees has earned three annual certifications of Tree Campus USA status from the Arbor Day Foundation. The UAB community can get involved with the preservation effort by donating to the University Tree Fund. Tree Evaluation, Preservation and Mitigation Procedure is not required for Tree Campus recognition, but is an additional process that UAB has adopted to more fully support our tree canopy as public health and environmental infrastructure.