Nurturing Ecology, Education and Engagement in Higher Education
John Carroll University's Arboreal Journey (Ohio)
"We foster contemplatives in action – people who can think deeply about something but can also bring their knowledge to action in the world."
JCU's Path to Sustainability
John Carroll University (JCU) in University Heights, Ohio is making significant strides in sustainability, being recognized as a USA Tree Campus, launching an on-campus arboretum, and pledging to become a Laudato Si' Campus in alignment with Pope Francis' call to Care for our Common Home (Laudato Si’).
As a USA Tree Campus, JCU has been recognized for its dedication to planting, nurturing and celebrating trees for five consecutive years. The 60-acre suburban campus boasts over 1,100 trees and 110 species. Director of Laboratory Services, Jeff Your, spearheaded the effort for USA Tree Campus recognition as past chair of the Sustainability Committee and continues sustaining the program. "It is important to find someone with an appreciation and commitment to trees and sustainability on campus," notes Dr. Edward Peck, VP for Mission and Identity at JCU. "Jeff's passion was the backbone of our ability to become a USA Tree Campus."
JCU next expanded its campus into an ArbNet accredited level I arboretum that will serve as an outdoor teaching lab easily accessible to students, faculty and the community. In 2021, JCU President Alan Miciak signed the Vatican's pledge to become a Laudato Si' campus, answering Pope Francis' 7-year challenge to journey towards integral ecology and sustainability. This involves concrete action steps to listen to the cries of the Earth and the poor; promote ecological education, economics and spirituality; adopt sustainable lifestyles; and engage and support local communities.
The digital management of plants and collections is proving a critical tool in these efforts, especially after the crash of a previous platform. "We were so thrilled when Plantsoon came up with a solution, allowing the university to get QR codes on tree signage working again to access species information and showcase the arboretum.”
Campus Transformation
But this is not where it ends for JCU. Dr. Peck sees opportunities to make the experience even more interactive, such as by adding audio tours and user-submitted photos and feedback. "We believe Plantsoon will help a lot on the education part," he says, “and we look forward to collaborating closely with Plantsoon as they work on developing their Experiences Module which aims to heighten the learning experience through increased interactivity with plants.”
Ultimately, these initiatives reinforce JCU's identity and values. "As a Jesuit Catholic university, this very much fits with our mission," says Dr. Peck. "An arboretum is a great way for an educational institution to foster ecological spirituality, diversify who experiences our campus, and show people how to care for the earth. I hope other universities and colleges, especially those with green campuses, don't overlook their trees as an asset. We look forward to welcoming local schools without significant numbers of trees on visit and learn with us in the Arboretum." Plantsoon’s accessible plant collection management platform makes it significantly easier for colleges and universities to turn their campus into an arboretum by digitally managing plants and labeling them, creating collections, and adding a public dimension.
With students like senior arbor intern Molly Russell getting hands-on experience cataloging trees, planning tours and community engagement, JCU is cultivating both its campus ecosystem and the next generation of sustainability leaders. As Peck sums up: "We foster contemplatives in action – people who can think deeply about something but can also bring their knowledge to action in the world."
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