Youngstown State University has earned the Arbor Day Foundation's Tree Campus Higher Education recognition for the 12th year in a row.

The YSU campus has nearly 2,000 trees covering 95 species on its 145-acre campus.

The university's new YSU Legacy Forest Program began last November, planting 600 trees on a one-acre plot near campus. The program hopes to plant micro forests in the Mahoning River watershed to offset climate warming with current plans calling for one tree to be planted for each incoming YSU freshman.

According to the release, the program was featured in the Arbor Day Foundation's national news letter.

"Tree Campuses set examples for not only their student bodies but the surrounding communities showcasing how trees create a healthier environment," Foundation President Dan Lambe said.

The release says Tree Campus colleges and universities have invested more than $51 million in campus forest management in the last year.

Collectively, tree campuses have planted 39,178 trees.