St. Luke’s Boise Medical Center celebrates recognition as a Tree Campus Healthcare site by the Arbor Day Foundation

The care of people happens 24/7 in many different forms across St. Luke’s Health System. Though, when it comes to positively impacting people’s health, the presence of trees doesn’t likely come to mind.

However, trees and green spaces are proven to improve health outcomes and reduce stress for both patients and caregivers.

Today, St. Luke’s team members and community partners gathered at the Boise Medical Center to celebrate the recent recognition as a Tree Campus Healthcare by the Arbor Day Foundation, making St. Luke’s the first health care organization in Idaho to be recognized.

“Health care institutions like St. Luke’s Boise Medical Center are at the forefront of recognizing the profound impact nature can have on human health,” said Michelle Saulnier, vice president of programs at the Arbor Day Foundation. “By integrating trees and green spaces into their campuses, facilities like St. Luke’s are not only creating healing environments today, but they are also building a foundation for healthier, more resilient communities in the future."

The recognition demonstrates St. Luke’s commitment to uphold five core standards set by the Arbor Day Foundation. Among those, establishing a tree advisory committee, maintaining a facility tree care plan, completing a community forestry project, sponsoring a celebration event that highlights the connection between trees and human health, and investing in a campus tree program.  

“Not only do trees beautify our surroundings, but they also provide abundant environmental and health benefits,” said Dr. Ethan Sims, an emergency room physician and St. Luke’s medical director of environmental sustainability. “By caring for and preserving our tree canopy, we can see a reduction in urban heat, cleaner air and water, and improved physical and mental health across our community. We are proud that the health benefits of our team’s work and St. Luke’s commitment to a healthy tree canopy on our Boise campus are being recognized and celebrated.”

Through pursuing this recognition, St. Luke’s has developed a focused tree care playbook that includes guidance for maintenance, a five-year plan and more — all that can be applied to other St. Luke’s sites in the future.

Last year, St. Luke’s partnered with the Treasure Valley Canopy Network to conduct a tree inventory and audit of the Boise Medical Center campus. The audit identified 476 trees; of those, there are 18 different species. The audit also helped shape tree maintenance and protection specifications. St. Luke’s will continue to update the tree inventory each year on its Boise Medical Center campus.

A Climate and Health learning session led by St. Luke’s environmental sustainability team featured a discussion on the health benefits of trees to highlight the importance of this work last April. St. Luke’s will continue to engage in community education around the myriad benefits of trees as part of the Tree Campus Healthcare designation.

“Health care organizations must care for our communities outside the walls of our hospitals and clinics to truly improve the health of the communities we serve. This directly aligns with St. Luke’s mission and vision,” Dr. Sims said.

St. Luke’s joins several Idaho colleges and universities in becoming a Tree Campus. Multiple cities, including Boise, hold the distinction as Tree Cities by the Arbor Day Foundation.

To view a map of Idaho Tree Cities and Campuses recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation, click here.