Cornell University has 50 new trees growing on its campus, thanks to a donation of the saplings by the Arbor Day Foundation.

Cornell was named a Tree Campus USA for 2009 by the Arbor Day Foundation, in the second year of the program. The designation recognizes campuses that promote healthy urban forest management and engage the campus community in environmental stewardship.

About 25 student volunteers from various environmentally focused groups on campus participated in planting the trees. The plantings also were part of Cornell's Campus Sustainability Day.

Adam Raveret, chair of the Student Assembly's environmental committee, said the Tree Campus USA title was a tribute to the university's commitment to environmental issues.

"This recognizes Cornell's administration for their constant concern for the environment, even during difficult economic times," Raveret said. "These 50 new trees are just the beginning of a very green future."

Michelle Scribner, program director for the Arbor Day Foundation, said Cornell and four other college campuses were chosen from among the 2009 Tree Campus USA designees for plantings.

To become a Tree Campus USA, a school must meet five criteria: Establish a campus tree advisory committee, show evidence of a campus tree-care plan, have dedicated annual expenditures on the tree plan, observe Arbor Day and support a student service-learning project.

The Arbor Day Foundation is partnered with Toyota to hold the tree-planting events and support Tree Campus USA. Toyota has given $1.3 million to the Tree Campus USA program.

Brian Diel, sales support manager for Toyota Motor Sales in the New York regional office, said the program combines two of Toyota's biggest philanthropic focuses -- education and environmental issues.

"This gives us an opportunity to jump in, speak to the now generation. These events are important because they give an opportunity to spread the message that the environment is important to Toyota," he said, citing Toyota's efforts to exceed government regulations for manufacturing and to seek out cleaner manufacturing processes.