The Arbor Day Foundation honored 74 colleges and universities with Tree Campus USA recognition in 2009, more than doubling the total from the inaugural class. Tree Campus USA is a national program that honors colleges and universities that use best tree-care and sustainability practices and engage students in tree-planting and conservation initiatives.

The President's Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) has released three draft National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) guidance documents on when and how federal agencies must consider greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and climate change in their analysis of proposed actions; specify when there is a need to monitor environmental mitigation commitments; and clarify use of categorical exclusions. Comments on the draft climate change and mitigation policies are due May 24, 2010. Comments on the draft categorical exclusion policy are due April 9.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is seeking project proposals that will improve water quality and the overall health of the Mississippi River in 41 eligible watersheds in 12 states. The Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Mississippi River Basin Healthy Watersheds Initiative, through which up to $75 million will be available for partnership projects, was published in the Federal Register this week. Proposals are due by May 1. The RFP explains the procedures for potential partners to sign agreements with USDA for projects that meet with the initiative's objectives.