Tree campus usa urban forestry team experimental learning here, where students will be expected to correctly identify, measure, tag, and grade the conditions of campus trees. Tree health data included the health of bark and leaves, when the tree needed maintenance, and the type of maintenance needed. Dimensional data included the physical attributes of the trees, such as diameter, total tree and crown height, and percent dieback. The data was mapped digitally, and by using a free software program - iTree Eco- the inventory was used to quantify and valuate the environmental impacts of the trees and estimate their ecosystem services, including pollution sequestration, rainwater retention and shade for cooling. Given the estimated number of trees on campus, this project was expected to take at least three to four semesters of undergraduate involvement through the BIOL 4201 course. Efforts began August 29, 2014. The graduate student, (which is supported and funded by Office of Graduate Studies), will work closely with Professors, Foresters, Facilities Management, Office for Sustainability and assistance from Community Engagement’s GIS Specialist, to take data collected by participating undergraduates and integrate it into a tree management plan as required for Standard Two of the Tree Campus USA designation process. The students will work closely with both the Texas Forest Service and UTPA Facilities Management to complete an evaluation of environmental services of oncampus trees and the return of investment for their planting and maintenance. This exciting work will be the basis of the graduate students master’s thesis. Students presented the findings of their service learning projects at the Service Learning Project Showcase, April 16, 2014. You can read about the service learning expo here: http://www.themonitor.com/news/ local/utpa-students-display-results-of-servicelearning/article_324f1160-c5da-11e3-9e42001a4bcf6878.html?mode=image&photo=1. You can read a newspaper article about efforts to qualify for Tree Campus USA designation here: http://www.themonitor.com/news/ local/utpa-students-display-results-of-servicelearning/article_324f1160-c5da-11e3-9e42001a4bcf6878.html and about UTPA’s trees here: http://www.panamericanonline.com/ news/money-does-grow-on-trees/. UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS rio grande valley 28
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