News Release
For Immediate Release — November 13, 2008
Arboretum Society Increases Endowment
Photo caption: UT Arboretum Society President Norm Dobbs (left) presents a $5000 contribution from the Society to Richard Evans (center), director of the UT Forest Resources AgResearch and Education Center and Arboretum, and Dr. John Wilkerson, interim assistant dean for UT AgResearch.
Ninety members of the University of Tennessee Arboretum Society attended the group's annual membership dinner on November 11, and as part of the program, UT Arboretum Society President Norm Dobbs presented a $5000 contribution from the Society for expanding the Arboretum Endowment. Two years ago an endowment campaign was established with a goal of raising $3 million toward sustaining the Arboretum's visions for expanded plant collections, improved facilities for public access, grounds and trails enhancement, and vibrant education and outreach programs. The Rogers Group, Inc., donated the endowment's founding gift of $500,000, and to date the UT Arboretum Society has given $25,000 toward the endowment goal.
The UT Arboretum is a 250-acre research and education facility with more than 2,500 native and exotic woody plant specimens representing 800 species, varieties, and cultivars. Located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, the Arboretum is open to the public for walking daily from 8 a.m. until sunset, and the Visitors Center and Office are open Monday - Friday during business hours (excluding holidays). The University of Tennessee Arboretum Society is a non-profit organization of volunteers from throughout Tennessee dedicated since 1965 to furthering the objectives and programs of the UT Forest Resources AgResearch and Education Center's Arboretum Project.
Information about the Society membership is available online at www.utarboretumsociety.org and information about participating in the UT Arboretum Endowment can be found at http://forestry.tennessee.edu/endowment.htm
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Contacts:
Patricia McDaniels, UTIA Marketing and Communications, (865) 974-7141