Developing a University Campus Tree Inventory and Determining the Value of the Campus Canopy through Student Service Learning

University campus trees provide valuable ecosystem services to the surrounding community while directly and indirectly supporting numerous United Nations sustainable development goals. The purpose of this project was to develop a Geographic Information System (GIS)-supported tree inventory, in conjunction with a service-learning course, to support Tree Campus USA initiatives and maintain a collection of woody plant materials on the a university campus. Horticulture students in a woody plants course applied their expertise through use of the ArcGIS FieldMaps™ mobile app to record the tree inventory on campus. GPS functionality allowed students to digitally map tree location points that contained identification, size, health, and maintenance recommendations for each tree. The data were made accessible for select specimen through mounted QR codes on the trees. While the benefits of urban vegetation have been widely studied, tree inventories can provide guidance to facility crews for appropriate planting and maintenance based on the needs of the local environment. The demonstrated economic and environmental values of campus trees provided included those related to annual carbon sequestration, air pollution removal, oxygen production, evapotranspiration (cooling), and avoided runoff. Students reported benefits from the service-learning experience including building teamwork skills, forming friendships within their academic discipline, and developing transferable skills and more confidence in their discipline. Almost all students recommended incorporating similar service-learning projects for all horticulture students.