Following the announcement that Williams has officially earned Tree Campus certification by the National Arbor Day Foundation, our campus community should have a chance to understand the award’s significance and what it will mean for Williams, and its trees, going forward. Achieving Tree Campus status signifies a deep commitment from the college to its natural environment and the upkeep of trees at Williams. But what goes into that achievement? How is Tree Campus Status earned?
Achieving Tree Campus Status means that Williams College has successfully implemented a comprehensive tree care program, engaging the entire campus community in protecting, maintaining, and expanding our forested areas. Becoming a Tree Campus requires dedication and care for the campus from several different realms of campus life. From faculty to students, to staff, each person who had a hand in helping Williams achieve this status put in a ton of effort. Becoming a Tree Campus involves meeting five key standards, each of which requires meticulous planning, collaboration, and execution. The work, dedication, and effort of everyone involved in meeting these standards should be highlighted and celebrated. Here’s how Williams met each of those five standards, and who helped the college do so:
Standard 1: Established Campus Tree Advisory Committee
The cornerstone of our tree care initiative is the Campus Tree Advisory Committee, formed in late summer of 2023. The committee was formed with the support of Rita Coppola-Wallace, former Associate Vice President for Campus Planning and Operation, along with the Zilkha Center for the Environments (ZCE) Mike Evans and Tanja Srebotnjak, the committee comprises a group representing various stakeholders at the college:
- Student: Liam Carey ‘27 currently represents the student body.
- Faculty: Dr. Joan Edwards – Biology – brings her academic expertise.
- Facilities Management: Tim Roberts, Manager of Horticulture and Grounds, assists in planning and management.
- Community Representative: Dan Gura, Stewardship Director at Williamstown Rural Lands, connects the campus efforts with the wider community.
- Additional Member: Felicity Purzycki, Landscape Ecology Coordinator in Grounds, adds her specialized knowledge to the group.
The committee meets regularly to guide future planning, approve campus tree plans, and educate the campus community about the benefits of trees.
Standard 2: Campus Tree Care Plan
Our Campus Tree Care Plan, inspired by Virginia Tech’s model, is designed to meet the current standards of the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). Some key components of the plan include:
- Ensuring a safe, attractive, and sustainable urban forest while achieving the goals set in the university’s draft Urban Forest Master Plan and Tree Policy.
- Proper species selection, promoting species diversity, protecting high-value trees during construction, and maintaining tree health.
- Mandates regular inspections, structured pruning schedules, and appropriate mulching, fertilization, and pest management practices.
- Tree protection measures during construction focus on minimizing impacts on existing trees.
Standard 3: Campus Tree Program with Dedicated Annual Expenditures
The commitment to tree care is reflected in the dedicated budget that Tim Roberts, Manager of Horticulture and Grounds manages. This budget covers tree installation, removal, pruning, and other care activities. The team also performs several in-house activities, including mulching, plantings, and removals. Members of the Grounds team additionally receive annual training through MDAR (Massachusetts Department of Agriculture Resources) about woody pests and diseases along with additional training on a variety of topics, ensuring the team stays informed and tree care remains effective. Additionally, Williams invests in maintaining access to a web-based inventory system, TreeKeeper, ensuring detailed and up-to-date records of our campus trees.
Standard 4: Arbor Day Observance
To meet this standard, Felicity Purzycki (Landscape Ecology Coordinator for Williams) collaborated with Tanja Srebotnjak and Tegra Llunga ‘27, a previous ZCE intern, to draw inspiration for ways of celebrating Arbor Day and recognizing the importance of trees on the Williams campus. While Williams didn’t officially start celebrating Arbor Day until April 26, 2024, Felicity recalls, “We [hosted] Maple Fest, which is an annual event at Hopkin’s Forest [in addition to] orchard pruning clinics at the Zilkha Center” as part of a communal commitment to and celebration of campus trees.
Standard 5: Service Learning Project
Engaging the student population in tree-related projects was crucial to achieving this standard. ZCE interns played a significant role: Communications interns managed social media posts about tree care, and others uploaded photos of some of the Campus’s most veteran trees to the TreeKeeper database. Highlights included the sharing and promotion of Earthfest 2023, a student-created infographic about campus trees, and Tegra’s extensive research and collaboration on the Tree Campus application process and application submission.
Reflections & Looking Forward
Williams’ recognition as a “Tree Campus” is a significant milestone for the College, reflecting our ongoing commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in this journey and look forward to continuing our efforts to enhance and preserve the natural beauty of our campus!
Visit the TreeKeeper database here to explore our campus trees and learn more about our initiatives.
(Special thanks to Felicity Purzycki for allowing me to interview her/giving me the information necessary to complete this.)
Written by ZC Communications Intern Alyson Newsome ’27