CASE Scholars help SJC earn the Tree Campus USA award.

Each year CASE scholars work on sustainability-related projects. Congratulations to the team of recent CASE Scholars that worked to make this happen!

CASE scholars (Community and Sustainability-Engaged) advisor Kimberly Post says that in 2020 the scholars decided they wanted SJC to be certified as a Tree Campus, but unfortunately COVID happened and the data collection process became quite difficult to manage on top of navigating the pandemic and remote learning. Finally in early 2022, the Scholars picked the project back up. It was handed off from Priscilla Carnaroli ’22 to a rising junior Scholar (now rising senior Samantha Summerfield) last year to take the lead, and she was able to submit the completed application at the end of 2022. As we are blessed with over 400 acres of pristine property that has been lovingly maintained by our groundskeeping team, not much had to change in order to meet the criteria.

Photo caption: Accepting the awards for the College on Friday, May 19, at the Viles Arboretum Outdoor Center in Augusta, were Kimberly Post (far left), and Dr. Monique LaRocque, Senior Vice President of Learning and Programs (second from left). Also shown in the photo are Maine Commissioner Amanda Beal (second from right), Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, and Jan Santerre (far right), Project Canopy Coordinator, Maine Forest Service.