Stony Brook University Celebrates 13th Consecutive Tree Campus USA Designation

STONY BROOK, NY—March 31, 2026—This year marks The State University of New York at Stony Brook’s (Stony Brook University) 13th consecutive Tree Campus USA designation. This recognition, awarded by the Arbor Day Foundation, highlights the university’s continued commitment to environmental stewardship and the care and preservation of its campus tree canopy.

The Tree Campus USA program recognizes colleges and universities that meet five core standards for effective campus forest management: establishment of a campus tree advisory committee, evidence of a campus tree care plan, dedicated annual expenditures for the campus tree program, an Arbor Day observance and the sponsorship of student service learning projects.

“Being recognized as a Tree Campus USA institution for the 13th year reflects Stony Brook University’s long-standing commitment to protecting and enhancing our campus environment,” said Alaina Claeson, horticulturist and landscape coordinator at Stony Brook University. “Trees contribute to biodiversity, improve environmental health and help make campus a more welcoming and sustainable place for our community.”

Stony Brook continues to integrate tree care and landscape stewardship into its long-term campus planning and sustainability initiatives. Ongoing efforts include regular tree maintenance, strategic tree planting and programs that help educate the campus community about the importance of protecting and expanding the university’s campus forest.

For more information about Stony Brook University’s sustainability initiatives, please visit the Office of Sustainability’s website.

About The State University of New York at Stony Brook (Stony Brook University)

The State University of New York at Stony Brook is New York’s flagship university and No. 1 public university. It is part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system. With more than 27,000 students, more than 3,000 faculty members, more than 225,000 alumni, a premier academic healthcare system and 18 NCAA Division I athletic programs, Stony Brook is a research-intensive distinguished center of innovation dedicated to addressing the world’s biggest challenges. The university embraces its mission to provide comprehensive undergraduate, graduate and professional education of the highest quality, and is ranked as the #59 overall university and #26 among public universities in the nation by U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges listing. Fostering a commitment to academic research and intellectual endeavors, Stony Brook’s membership in the Association of American Universities (AAU) places it among the top 71 research institutions in North America. The university’s distinguished faculty have earned esteemed awards such as the Nobel Prize, Pulitzer Prize, Indianapolis Prize for animal conservation, Abel Prize, Fields Medal, Breakthrough prizes in mathematics and physics, and MacArthur Fellows Genius Grants. Stony Brook has the responsibility of co-managing Brookhaven National Laboratory for the U.S. Department of Energy — one of only eight universities with a role in running a national laboratory. In 2023, Stony Brook was named the anchor institution for The New York Climate Exchange on Governors Island in New York City. Providing economic growth for neighboring communities and the wider geographic region, the university totals an impressive $8.93 billion in increased economic output on Long Island. Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/stonybrooku/ and X@stonybrooku.