Mount Vernon Nazarene University's Campus Tree Advisory Committee recently celebrated Arbor Day with the planting of a Fort McNair Red Horse Chestnut.

Tim Radcliffe, the committee chair, highlighted the committee's mission in a press release from Mount Vernon Nazarene University.

"Our Campus Tree Advisory Committee exists to cultivate sustainability and stewardship on MVNU’s campus," he said. "The goals for our committee are to protect and maintain the campus trees by managing the impact of development and construction on [them]."

Radcliffe emphasized the importance of tree replacement considerations if a tree is removed from campus. He noted that the selected tree will enhance species diversity on campus while also providing aesthetic value with its rose-red flowers in spring and shade.

According to Mount Vernon Nazarene University's press release, students who participated in the planting event included Tucker Dougherty, Caleb Woodworth, Jessica Bock, Morgan Gibson, Caila Charles, Ashlynn Scott, Zach Ballenger, Faith West, Dominic Rose, and Sara Bash. The number of student participants has doubled since 2023.

The nine members of the Campus Tree Advisory Committee include Ben Cook (director of facilities operations and campus safety), faculty representatives Jon Bossley and Radcliffe (chair), staff representatives Darryl George and Heather Hoag, student representatives Sarah Bash and Tucker Dougherty, as well as community representative Randy Cronk.

In addition to overseeing tree care on campus—which includes removing damaged or diseased trees and planting new or replacement ones—Radcliffe revealed plans for a self-guided tree tour highlighting key tree species on campus.

Finally, Mount Vernon Nazarene University has been recognized as a Tree Campus by the Arbor Day Foundation's Tree Campus Higher Education program for five consecutive years.