Independence Community College has been recognized for its progress in engaging staff and students in conservation goals.

The Arbor Day Foundation has honored ICC with its "2021 Tree Campus Higher Education" recognition. Formerly known as Tree Campus USA, the program honors colleges and universities for the aforementioned conservation goals and also effective campus forest management.

ICC achieved the title by meeting five standards. That includes maintaining a tree advisory committee, a campus tree-care plan, dedicated annual expenditures, an Arbor Day observance, and a student service-learning project.

Currently, there are 403 campuses, including ICC, that have received this recognition.