By Evan Doan, News Editor
In February of 2026 the Aquinas College Center for Sustainability classified the campus as an Urban Arboretum. Now Aquinas has gained international accreditation through ArbNet, a global network of arboreta and tree focused professionals.
To be recognized as an arboretum by ArbNet, Aquinas needed to have and mark at least 100 different tree species, hold multiple public outreach events every year, have a tree map and have a species management plan.
Aquinas College Tree Map – photo by Aquinas College
Aquinas College is classified as a Level Ⅱ Urban Arboreta due to the collection of trees being spread throughout the campus instead of being contained in a garden. There are over 250 Level Ⅱ arboreta worldwide according to ArbNet. To achieve a Level Ⅲ accreditation Aquinas would need over 500 different species or subspecies on campus.
Aquinas is unique to other collegiate arboretums. University of Michigan and Michigan State University’s arboretums are a part of on campus gardens, whereas Aquinas’ arboretum is integrated throughout the campus
In terms of public outreach, Campus Historian, Ryan Wendt led the charge with over 70 tree tours each year. In 2024, which was scaled back from normal, he did 56 tours, bringing in 529 visitors.
Tree Canopy- Photo by Matt Yeoman
A lot of this work was already put into motion before this year. In the fall of 2025, Jen Howell took over for Jessica Bowen as the Director of the Center for Sustainability.
“I’m hoping that the people who did all this work before me just feel like this is a pat on their back,” Howell said. For the most part, Howell was able to go along with the plans previously in place. Notably, she has a distinct position on the Jack Pine.
There are only five native tree species missing from campus, one of which being the Jack Pine.
“Some people will say we cannot have it on campus,” Howell said. “I would argue that we just need to amend the soil, like a whole lot. Then we should put up a sign that tells our guests that this exists here only because we completely changed the soil, and to not try to grow it in their yard. It just needs sandy soil.”
“The average person recognizes more than 1,000 corporate logos, but can identify fewer than 10 plants and animals native to his or her locality,” Matt Ridder said in his presentation in the LA County Arboretum Annual Members meeting.
While there is still work to go, Aquinas can proudly boast both its title as an Urban Arboretum with almost every species of native tree being present throughout campus, and each of the other requirements being met.
The Saint 