If you believe Penn State’s campus has some extraordinary greenery, you’re not alone.

For the fifth consecutive year, University Park was recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation for its work with forest management on campus, per a release. Penn State received a 2020 Tree Campus Higher Education distinction for its commitment to its 17,000-plus trees.

“From providing shade and instilling beauty, to storing carbon and recycling stormwater, the trees around campus offer innumerable benefits to people, animals and ecosystems,” said Penn State Vice President of Facilities Management Bill Sitzabee. “The recognition from the Arbor Day Foundation is icing on the cake.”

The foundation’s recognition is due to Penn State’s ability to meet the Tree Campus Higher Education’s five standards. These standards include things like dedicating an annual budget to campus tree programs and observing Arbor Day, the annual day of tree awareness on Friday, April 30.

The Arbor Day Foundation’s mission is to “inspire people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees.” According to Penn State, the organization also helps Tree Campus Higher Education schools plant trees and helped drum up $51 million in campus forest management investments last year.

If you’ve never stopped to pay attention, Penn State’s trees are actually pretty awesome. We set out last semester to hand out awards and recognize our favorites around campus.