The University of Southern Mississippi is among a select group of schools competing for the title of “Best Tree Campus” as sponsored by the National Arbor Day Foundation.

According to arborday.org, the foundation’s mission is to inspire people to plant, nurture and celebrate trees. Since it was founded in 1972, the foundation has grown to become the largest nonprofit membership organization dedicated to planting trees.

The contest is open to all 2013 Tree Campus USA-recognized colleges and universities. The top five vote-getters in the large-college and small-college categories will receive $500 to buy trees or “tree-related materials,” two Tree Campus USA banners, five Tree Campus USA yard signs, and 30 Tree Campus USA T-shirts and hats, according to a USM press release.

Large schools competing with Southern Miss include: Indiana State University, the University of South Carolina, Colorado State University, Arizona State University, the University of Vermont, the University of Connecticut, the University of Alaska-Anchorage, Clark College and Lone Star College-Montgomery.

Voting will run through Wednesday, Oct. 22. Participants can vote once per day. The winners will be announced on Friday, Oct. 24. To vote, visit: http://www.arborday.org/programs/treecampususa/vote/