For the fourth year in a row, Indiana State University has received the Tree Campus USA Award for their increasing involvement in environmental sustainability via their community forestry management program. This award is issued by the Arbor Day Foundation to universities across the country that make a conscious effort to plant new trees and recognize the importance of spreading knowledge about environmental sustainability.

ISU’s plan, which has involved community forestry programs, creating a tree canopy on campus that has managed to survive two droughts, and encouraging student involvement has been such a success that it is being seen as the model for which other universities should follow. ISU continues to both meet and exceed the five markers needed in order to receive the Tree Campus USA Award: have a tree conservation committee, devise a campus tree-care plan, dedicate funds to support the program, observe Arbor Day, and sponsor campus-wide student service-learning projects.

The Refinishing Touch firmly believes that ISU is a shining example of the growing awareness about the importance of environmental sustainability. This program aims to spread this knowledge amongst ISU’s student body in hopes that it will trickle down to their local communities and result in a conscious effort to integrate sustainability and environmental awareness into everyday actions and habits. Here at The Refinishing Touch, we can only hope that what starts off as a movement can become a permanent part in everyone’s life.