Georgia Arbor Day provides an opportunity to celebrate the many benefits of trees and promote reforestation efforts across the state. Observed on the third Friday of February, Georgia Arbor Day takes advantage of the region’s mild winters to encourage tree planting before the arrival of spring. At Georgia Tech, this occasion is particularly meaningful, as the Institute continues to strengthen its commitment to environmental stewardship by enhancing its tree canopy and fostering student-led sustainability projects. Georgia Tech: A Proud Tree Campus Georgia Tech has long been recognized as a Tree Campus Higher Education institution, an honor awarded by the Arbor Day Foundation to colleges and universities that demonstrate excellence in campus forest management and community engagement. To achieve this designation, Georgia Tech meets five core standards: maintaining a campus tree advisory committee, developing a campus tree care plan, dedicating annual expenditures toward tree maintenance and planting, holding Arbor Day observances, and engaging students in tree-related service-learning projects. This designation reflects Georgia Tech’s dedication to preserving and expanding its tree canopy, which currently consists of over 15,000 trees spread across its 400-acre campus. These trees provide critical ecological and aesthetic benefits, enhancing the university’s urban environment while supporting biodiversity and sustainability goals. Expanding the Campus Tree Canopy Georgia Tech is actively working to increase its tree canopy coverage, aligning with broader sustainability goals that emphasize environmental resilience and carbon sequestration. In 2024, 45 new trees were added to the campus landscape. Expanding the campus tree population helps mitigate the effects of urban heat islands, improves air quality, and supports local wildlife habitats. One of the primary reasons for increasing tree canopy is carbon sequestration—the process by which trees absorb and store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This natural process plays a crucial role in reducing greenhouse gas levels and combating climate change. Additionally, an expanded canopy provides essential shade along Georgia Tech’s extensive network of pedestrian walkways, creating a more comfortable and sustainable environment for students, faculty, staff, and visitors. Student Initiatives: Fruit Trees for a Sustainable Future Beyond its traditional tree-planting efforts, Georgia Tech is fostering innovative student-led initiatives to enhance campus greenery. One such project involves the introduction of fruit-bearing trees to provide an additional source of food for the campus community while promoting urban agriculture. These projects, led by students in collaboration with Campus Services and Infrastructure and Sustainability, aim to integrate edible landscaping into the campus environment, reducing food insecurity and strengthening community engagement.  Ahead of Georgia Arbor Day, the Students Organizing for Sustainability Urban Ag project successfully planted 31 fruit-bearing trees and shrubs, marking the culmination of over a year of planning. Project leads are Nicole Allen (Biomedical Engineering, Spring 2025), Elaina (Lainey) Render (Civil Engineering, Spring 2025), and Isabella (Ella) Baker (Architecture, Spring 2025). The students participated in the LEAD (Leadership Education and Development, Student Engagement and Well-being) Teams for Tech program in Fall of 2023, which provided the funding for the project.  The event was enriched by the participation of Chabad Georgia Tech, who joined in celebration of Tu Bi’shvat. Upcoming tree plantings include two Fringe Trees near the Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience and a Witchhazel near Kendeda, further enhancing the campus's green spaces. By strategically planting fruit trees such as blueberries, blackberries, and pawpaws, students are not only diversifying the campus’s plant life but also contributing to a more resilient and self-sustaining ecosystem. These efforts align with Georgia Tech’s broader sustainability commitments and reinforce the university’s role as a leader in innovative environmental solutions. Looking Ahead: A Greener Georgia Tech As Georgia Tech celebrated Georgia Arbor Day, the institution reaffirmed its dedication to tree conservation and sustainable campus planning. Through continued efforts to expand the tree canopy, enhance biodiversity, and support student-driven sustainability initiatives, Georgia Tech is ensuring that its urban landscape remains a thriving green space for generations to come. Beyond Arbor Day, students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to take part in tree-planting activities, learn more about Georgia Tech’s green initiatives, and appreciate the invaluable role that trees play in shaping a healthier, more sustainable future.