Tree Campus Healthcare

A recognition program designed to honor healthcare facilities (hospitals, senior care facilities, and other inpatient healthcare facilities of all sizes) that create therapeutic landscapes and promote trees and tree care on their properties and in their communities.

Focus Areas:

• Tree planting and care at healthcare facilities
• Community wellness and health benefits of trees
• Therapeutic landscape design
• Community engagement in forestry activities

Scientific Basis:

• Research documenting faster and more satisfactory recovery of post-operative hospital patients with tree views
• Studies showing links between trees and improved outcomes: safer pregnancies, wellness of senior citizens, stress reduction

Five Program Standards:

1. Advisory Committee - Representation from healthcare providers, grounds personnel, patient advocates, and community forestry officials
2. Tree Care Plan - Nurtures and protects campus trees, identifies opportunities for new tree plantings; facilities with limited space can adopt adjacent street or public trees
3. Community Collaboration - Lead community forestry practice at least once per year (tree planting, monitoring, or other activities engaging community residents)
4. Celebrate and Educate - Sponsor event highlighting connection between trees, nature, and human health (e.g., Arbor Day campaign)
5. Financial Commitment - Suggested investment of at least $2 per full-time equivalent employee in cash or in-kind contributions

Partners: The Davey Tree Expert Company, Professional Grounds Management Society, Practice Greenhealth, U.S. Forest Service

Recognition: Program includes 16+ recognized hospitals

Example: Cleveland Clinic uses the program as integral part of strategy to invest in health and well-being of population served

Application Process

While specific application steps are not detailed in the provided content, the program requires demonstration of meeting five standards:

1. Establish advisory committee with healthcare, grounds, patient, and community forestry representation
2. Develop tree care plan for campus trees and community tree adoption
3. Plan community collaboration forestry activity for the year
4. Schedule education/celebration event related to trees and health
5. Commit financial resources ($2 per FTE minimum)
6. Submit for recognition to the program

Contact: For more information, visit treecampushealthcare.org