Each city faces unique challenges when attempting to increase urban tree canopy cover and each city possesses the ability to reach its goals through unique partnerships between stakeholders.
We find that even within the cities which meet all of the recommended standards for arboreal excellence, the mere presence of ordinances, policies, committees, and strategic plans is not enough to assure constant improvement of urban tree canopy. Likewise, institutions of higher education are not guaranteed to be exceptionally-shaded patches within the mosaic of their host cities.
However, the influence of sustainability principles in urban planning are likely to increase in communities that are home to universities which are strengthening the use of triple bottom line thinking.
Currently, three IU Campuses have an Office of Sustainability
Bloomington
IUPUI
IU Kokomo
Sustainability representatives from those campuses have monthly calls for updates and sharing ideas.
Sustain IU is a community from all IU Campuses which gathers for an annual summit.
Presently three IU Campuses are part of the Tree Campus USA program
Bloomington
IUPUI
IU East
At the most recent annual Sustainability Summit, held in February 2019 in Bloomington, Ashlee Fujawa, Sustainability Specialist for Sustain IU, revealed the goal of having all IU campuses on track with the Tree Campus USA program by April 26, Arbor Day.