Page 26 - College Planning & Management, February 2018

Facilities CAMPUS SPACES
PHOTOS COURTESY OF ARBNET
Campus Arboreta:
Outdoor Spaces for
Learning and for Play
Developing an accredited arboretum contributes
to education, enjoyment, and community
engagement on campus.
BY SUE PAIST
DO YOU REALIZE YOUR CAMPUS GROUNDS ARE MUCH MORE than just a nice setting among your buildings? How many times have you heard students referring to their campus as “beautiful” or saying “it just feels right?”
What sets your campus grounds apart from the others? Are you utilizing your grounds to their fullest potential? Is your campus an outdoor classroom and a living laboratory? Do you know that your campus grounds could be an officially accredited arboretum earning distinction, opening up funding opportunities, and achieving recognition worldwide?
Become a Campus Arboretum (for Free!)
The greenspace on your campus is important for students to relax and recharge. There are numerous scientific studies that show arboreta have a strong positive impact on men- tal and physical health. Arboreta enhance learning and quality of life for your students and community. Your university or college can become an outdoor classroom; living laboratory; and an inspiration for a greener, healthier, and more beautiful world.
Beyond a traditional park, an arboretum focuses on horticultural display of labeled
woody species for plant research and edu- cation to promote tree conservation and public awareness. Not only are arboreta beautiful, but campus departments can partner to develop participatory student learning experiences and innovative leadership and service learning internships (see the examples from accredited campus arboreta that follow). These partnerships can result in students planning and imple- menting outreach initiatives, beautification efforts, and educational events for K–12 students and campus visitors—all using your newly accredited arboretum!
The benefits of becoming an accredited campus arboretum include:
• Earn distinction for your university/
college and community.
• Be recognized for achievement of speci-
fied levels of professional practice.
• Attract potential students (and faculty)
with your accreditation to improve
recruitment.
• Provide a richer learning experience
for your students.
• Access to exclusive funding opportuni-
ties that build your capacity to provide a beautiful and engaging campus arboretum.
• Serve as a model to encourage profes- sional development on other university/ college campuses.
• Receive support and guidance for ad- vancing to higher levels of accreditation
• Advance the planting, study, and conser- vation of trees.
Delaware State University (DSU) Arboretum – Level I
“The Arboretum is used for teach- ing about trees and conservation to DSU
26 COLLEGE PLANNING & MANAGEMENT / FEBRUARY 2018
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