The Arbor Day Foundation honors 35 percent of California State Universities and Chico State was one of the CSU’s annually delegated by the largest non-profit organization dedicated to planting trees. 

The other eight CSU’s mentioned include: Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Cal State Channel Islands, California Maritime Academy, Cal State Northridge, Cal State San Bernardino, Cal State Dominguez Hills and Sacramento State.

A campus is nominated by The Arbor Day Foundation for establishing a Campus Tree Advisory Committee that is dedicated to their campus environment. Mike Alonzo, the University’s Supervisor of Grounds and Landscape Service, is in charge of maintaining the plants in the artificial habitats and trees in the unique riparian corridor.

“The riparian corridor is home to several native plant species, as well as animals that thrive in such a setting,” said Alonzo. “Trees and grasses like box elder, elderberry, valley oak, sycamore, Western redbud, California buckeye, and Santa Barbara sedge can be found along the creek through campus.”

In addition to maintaining the plants on campus and their irrigation systems, Alonzo is working on an app with Chico State’s GeoPlace Mapping Lab that tracks the health of trees.

“We are working on some conceptual ideas for an interactive tree-tour with GeoPlace, there is nothing available for the public at this time,” said Alonzo. 

Big Chico Creek riparian corridor supports a wide variety of animals as well. According to Alonzo, if you’re lucky, you could see animals such as woodpeckers, owls, hawks, turtles, raccoons and otters by the creek. 

The overarching goal of The Arbor Day Foundation is to ensure a greener and healthier future for everyone. Alonzo’s commitment to Chico State’s habitat is essential to the health of its environment and that of The Arbor Day Foundation merits.