For media information, contact:
Dana Urrutia, 678-495-3638
durrutia@gwinnetttech.edu

April 09, 2012

Gwinnett Technical College Named a 2011 Tree Campus USA by the Arbor Day Foundation

For the fourth consecutive year, the Arbor Day Foundation has named Gwinnett Technical College a 2011 Tree Campus USA in honor of its commitment to effective community forestry management.

Gwinnett Tech achieved the designation by meeting the required five core standards for sustainable campus forestry: a tree advisory committee, a campus tree-care plan, dedicated annual expenditures for its campus tree program, an Arbor Day observance and the sponsorship of student service-learning projects.

"Students throughout the country are passionate about sustainability and community improvement, which makes the emphasis on well-maintained and healthy trees so important," said John Rosenow, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. "Achieving Tree Campus USA recognition sets an example for other colleges and universities and allows students a chance to give back to both their campus community and the community at-large."

Tree Campus USA, a national program launched in 2008 by the Arbor Day Foundation, honors colleges and universities and their leaders for promoting healthy trees and engaging students and staff in the spirit of conservation. Tree Campus USA is supported by a generous grant from Toyota.

"Our urban forest here at Gwinnett Tech is a valuable and treasured resource for our community and our students," says Gail Zorn, grounds director. "Preserving and protecting this natural resource is a top priority for us."

During 2011, the Arbor Day Foundation and Toyota helped campuses throughout the country plant 30,000 trees, and Tree Campus USA colleges and universities have invested more than $22 million in campus forest management. More information about the Tree Campus USA program is available at www.arborday.org/TreeCampusUSA.

Gwinnett Tech offers an associate degree and a diploma program in Environmental Horticulture, plus certificate options that train students for employment as a landscape design technician, landscape/greenhouse installation technician, and in floral design

In all, Gwinnett Tech offers more than 50 degree, diploma and certificate options that can be completed in two years or less. For more information, visit www.GwinnettTech.edu or call 770-962-7580.

Get the latest news about Gwinnett Tech: www.GwinnettTech.edu/news.

About the Arbor Day Foundation: The Arbor Day Foundation is a nonprofit conservation and education organization of one million members, with the mission to inspire people to plant, nurture and celebrate trees. More information on the Foundation and its programs can be found at arborday.org.

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About Gwinnett Tech
Gwinnett Technical College, one of Georgia's largest technical colleges, is committed to delivering relevant knowledge to meet the workforce training needs of its community. The college offers more than 50 associate degree, diploma and certificate programs and hundreds of seminars, workshops and courses providing specialized training. GTC is Gwinnett County's largest provider of corporate training and now serves residents and businesses in north Fulton County. Gwinnett Technical College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award the associate degree. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097,404-679-4500, www.sacscoc.org for questions about the accreditation of Gwinnett Technical College. For more information, visit www.GwinnettTech.edu.

A unit of the Technical College System of Georgia.