June 12, 2023
The Arbor Day Foundation Recognizes Kendal and the Health Benefit of Trees
Good news for Kendal at Oberlin and the John Bartram Arboretum! The Arbor Day Foundation has named Kendal at Oberlin a 2022 Tree Campus® Healthcare institution for its commitment to planting, nurturing, and celebrating trees.
The Arbor Day Foundation is the world’s largest membership nonprofit organization dedicated to planting trees. Its Tree Campus® Healthcare program aims to transform community health and ultimately save lives through trees, as well as recognize healthcare organizations that make an impact on wellness through tree planting, education, and community engagement.
“Spending time in green space has been proven to better health outcomes and reduce stress for staff and caretakers,” said Dan Lambe, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “We’re proud of Kendal at Oberlin for going above and beyond to provide these benefits to their community.”
Staff and Residents Work Together
Our staff and residents have done so much over the years to support and advance our campus, including the establishment of The John Bartram Arboretum, which recently received ArbNet Level II distinction. This most recent recognition as a Tree Campus® Healthcare facility, recognizes our organization for understanding and supporting the value of trees to human health and wellbeing.
Rachel Duncan, Horticulturist and Arboretum Curator
At this time, only 35 organizations in the United States are designated a Tree Campus® Healthcare organization. Others in Ohio include the Cleveland Clinic (Cleveland), Cleveland Clinic Akron General (Akron), and The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center (Columbus).
The program is in its fourth year. To receive recognition, Kendal at Oberlin met five standards, which include:
- Maintaining a tree advisory committee
- Having a facility tree care plan
- Completing a community forestry project
- Educating the community on the importance of trees
- Investing in a campus tree program
For more information on the program, visit treecampushealthcare.org.
About the Arbor Day Foundation
Founded in 1972, the Arbor Day Foundation is the world’s largest membership nonprofit organization dedicated to planting trees. With a focus in communities and forests of greatest need, the Foundation — alongside its more than 1 million members, supporters and valued partners — has helped to plant nearly 500 million trees in more than 50 countries. Guided by its mission to inspire people to plant, nurture and celebrate trees, the Arbor Day Foundation is committed to unlocking the power of trees to help solve critical issues facing people and the planet. Learn more about the impact of the Arbor Day Foundation at arborday.org.
About Kendal at Oberlin
Kendal is a nonprofit life plan community serving older adults in northeast Ohio. Located about one mile from Oberlin College and Conservatory, and about a 40 minute drive from downtown Cleveland, Kendal offers a vibrant resident-led lifestyle with access to music, art and lifelong learning. Learn more at kao.kendal.org.
Kendal’s 110-acre campus is also home to the John Bartram Arboretum at Kendal at Oberlin. In October, 2022, the campus was accredited as a Level II Arboretum by Arbnet, the international community of arboreta and other tree-focused institutions.