A picture from the rooftop of campus, showcasing trees in mid summer.

Arboretum & Tree Campus USA

Overview

UW-Eau Claire campus arboretum was established in 2016 with the Centennial - One Hundred Trees Project. The one hundred trees planted on the campus during the university’s centennial year (2016), became the foundation of the campus arboretum.

Creation of the arboretum was one of several steps that led to UW-Eau Claire's designation as a Tree Campus Higher Education college by the Arbor Day Foundation. In earning the designation, UW-Eau Claire also established a campus tree advisory committee, a campus tree care plan, dedicated annual expenditures for its tree program, an annual Arbor Day observance and a student service-learning project related to tree initiatives. The online tree locator map was created with GIS technology assistance from Martin Goettl of UW-Eau Claire's geography and anthropology department.

Group Photo with Tree Campus USA sign

Open to the public, the arboretum consists of 177 acres of developed land plus 230 acres in the Putnam Park natural area that surrounds the campus. The campus grounds department has formally identified over 100 species of trees, 70 shrubs and 200 perennials. We are currently creating an inventory of all the trees located on campus through student service-learning projects.

The UW-Eau Claire Arboretum has been accredited at Level One through ArbNet, a global network for tree-focused arboreta.

Below, read about our mission, print out our Campus Tree Walks, or explore our Tree Species Map. You can also contact us for more information.

UWEC's GIS Tree Map

Tree Species Map

Explore this GIS map of UWEC's tree locations, species, and other information.

Tree Species Map

UW-Eau Claire Arboretum /Tree Campus Advisory Board 2023-2024

  • Sydney McGuine, Director – Student Office of Sustainability
  • Daria Hutchinson, Landscape Architect – Facilities
  • Nora Mitchell, Assistant Professor – Biology
  • Jennifer Allen - Grounds Supervisor
  • Joe Rohrer, Professor Emeritus – Biology
  • Matt Staudenmaier, Forestry Supervisor – City of Eau Claire
  • Lily Strehlow - Administrative Office of Sustainability

Our Mission

  • Providing professional protection and care for existing trees and shrubs. Planting and removing trees and shrubs as required to maintain a safe and diverse urban forest that promotes learning and contributes to campus sustainability.
  • Using the latest technology to document and monitor species, size, location, and maintenance activities, and continue to keep the tree inventory current.
  • Implementing landscape management with a functional approach to screening, environmental balance, and aesthetic design. Applying the knowledge of Grounds Services horticultural professionals to make management decisions in regard to tree maintenance and removal.
  • Maintaining an advisory committee of university and community members to develop and review campus policies and procedures.
  • Creating programs that provide education about the maintenance and growth of woody plant species and their proper use in the landscape.
  • Developing a diverse range of native and non-native woody plants that can be enjoyed for their natural beauty, used for learning and recreation, and to strengthen energy and storm water conservation efforts. Creating plant collections throughout campus to enhance study among related species and native/non-native trees.
UW-Eau Claire students and faculty were among those working to preserve the biodiversity in Putnam Park.

Protecting biodiversity in Putnam Park

UW-Eau Claire biology faculty and students led an effort this fall to remove invasive plants from Putnam Park. People from the university's facilities department, the city of Eau Claire and the Chippewa Valley Technical College helped with the project.

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