University of Connecticut
IN-11: Grounds Certification

Bee Campus USA In April 2017, the University of Connecticut became the first college in Connecticut and the third in New England to become certified as a member of the Bee Campus USA program. UConn is only the 26th university in the United States to earn this title through campus habitat plans, community outreach and education, service-learning projects, and overall protection and awareness for pollinators. According to Bee City USA, the program “fosters ongoing dialogue to raise awareness of the role pollinators play in our communities and what each of us can do to provide them with healthy habitat…[It] endorses a set of commitments…for creating sustainable habitats for pollinators, which are vital to feeding the planet.” http://www.beecityusa.org/ UConn earned the Bee Campus USA certification by extensive efforts from UConnPIRG (UConn Public Interest Research Group) through their “Save the Bees” campaign. The ongoing campaign encompasses tabling at campus events, strategic use of social media to engage the larger community, and regular upkeep of a UConn Bee Campus USA webpage, which features a wealth of information about UConn’s Climate Action Plan, Integrated Pest Management Plan, and Bee Campus initiatives, as well as periodic blog posts to update the campus community about UConn “Save the Bees” progress. As a designated campus, UConn agreed to pursue seven efforts, including establishing a committee to develop a Campus Pollinator Habitat Plan, offering a workshop or course on a pollinator-related topic and sponsoring service-learning projects to enhance pollinator habitats on and off campus. UConnPIRG has already designed two service-learning projects, which will occur sometime during the upcoming fall semester. They have also committed to the annual renewal of the designation, which will subsequently be coordinated by the UConn Office of Environmental Policy. https://uconnpirgsavethebees.wordpress.com/ Tree Campus USA In 2013, UConn was the first college in Connecticut and only the third school in New England to be named a Tree Campus USA by the Arbor Day Foundation. The University joined a group of almost 200 schools nationwide that have earned this distinction for their commitment to tree conservation and preservation. UConn has consistently received Tree Campus USA recognition for the consecutive years after it was first designated (2014, 2015, 2016). This certification is given by the Arbor Day Foundation to university campuses that effectively: Manage their campus trees Develop connectivity with the community beyond campus borders to foster healthy urban forests Strive to engage their student population utilizing service learning opportunities centered on campus and community forestry efforts Each year, UConn incorporates an Arbor Day celebration to recognize it's Tree Campus USA certification and holds a tree planting ceremony. In 2017, UConn planted three sugar maple trees (trees historical to the university) along the main entryway to the University (1-95). The outreach/educational video of the tree planting can be found here: http://ecohusky.uconn.edu/tree-campus-usa/