Nurturing a Green Legacy: Celebrating the Tomah VA Medical Center as a Tree Campus

The significant achievement demonstrates Tomah VAMC’s commitment to environmental stewardship, sustainability, and community engagement. Improving the health of the forest and managing all trees on campus is a priority for Tomah VAMC because it will provide a healthy and healing environment for Veterans, their families, care givers, staff, and the surrounding community. 

Many of the original trees exist from Tomah’s initial plan and plantings and are just now beginning to be managed as a forest community to ensure a continued healthy, canopied tree campus. The forest currently supports 1,350 trees and provides shade and canopy to support life and improve air quality, carbon isolation, and storm water management. 

“The Green Environmental Management System (GEMS) Committee is currently developing this tree program in conjunction with an initiative to install native prairie perennials in landscaping activities. This will provide beauty and a complete ecosystem in collaboration with our native tree installations and practices,” says Green Environmental Management System Program Manager, Jennifer Bailey. 

Future planning includes removal of dead or overgrown trees, and planting new trees for future species diversity, climate and pest resilience, site appropriateness, ecosystem benefits, and visual interest and beauty.

Visit www.treecampushealthcare.org for more information on the Tree Campus Healthcare Award.