Thanks to two leadership gifts totaling $4 million, The Arboretum at Penn State will create and grow the Children's Garden, an interactive place for children to learn and to explore the natural world. A gift from Edward R. and Helen S. Hintz will fund the construction of the space, and a gift from Charles H. "Skip" Smith will create an endowment to maintain the garden and develop its educational programs. A previously announced gift from Marcia Day in 2008 will provide endowment support for children's education programs.
"The Children's Garden will play a key role in the mission of the Arboretum, and I think it will become one of the most popular features in the H. O. Smith Botanic Gardens," said Kim Steiner, director of the Arboretum and professor of forest biology in the College of Agricultural Sciences. "The Children's Garden will help us to foster an appreciation for nature through experiences that may spark a deep and lasting interest in plants and their environment. This aspect of the Arboretum has been a priority from the very beginning, and we are truly thankful that Skip, Helen and Ed have made it come to life." (more)
The Arboretum at Penn State will host a pumpkin festival, Oct. 16-22, featuring a pumpkin-carving contest and lighted jack-o'-lantern display. Festivities will take place in the Arboretum's H.O. Smith Botanic Gardens, located at the corner of Bigler Road and Park Avenue on the University Park campus. Admission is free. (more)
The Arboretum at Penn State continues to grow in both beauty and educational value. The Arboretum's newest feature is not a garden, but rather the Joel N. Myers Sundial, which was dedicated Thursday, Sept. 22. The sculpture, which was designed by artist Mark Mennin, is one of many gifts Myers has given to the University over the years. For photos from the dedication ceremony, visit http://live.psu.edu/flickrset/72157627609920251 online. (more)
Pennsylvania Forest Fest, a celebratory and educational event in recognition of the United Nations' International Year of the Forest, is planned for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 25, in The Arboretum at Penn State. The event, sponsored by Penn State's School of Forest Resources, Penn State Extension and the College of Agricultural Sciences, is seeking exhibitors from across Pennsylvania and from within the Penn State community. (more)
Flowers, fragrance, birdsong and falling water - that's the serene world you'll walk into when you enter the H.O. Smith Botanical Gardens, a part of the Arboretum at Penn State. Every day brings something new to the gardens, from spring's first crocus to winter's scarlet berries. (more)
From tree ring investigation to pollination and sapling planting, an Arbor Day event held Friday, April 29, at the Arboretum at Penn State was a hands-on learning experience for nearly 300 grade-school students from throughout the Centre Region. For photos of the event, visit http://live.psu.edu/flickrset/72157626505236967 online. (more)
Every weekend since the end of August, a group of Penn State wildlife and fisheries science students have been learning to band birds along the edge of a wooded area at the Arboretum at Penn State. The students are working under the direction of Emily Thomas, a 2009 Penn State graduate and a master's candidate in wildlife and fisheries science. To see photos from Tina Hay, editor of The Penn Stater magazine, from the bird-banding sessions, visit http://live.psu.edu/stilllife/2340 online. (more)
On Saturday (Aug. 14), approximately 2,168 students were conferred as Penn State's newest alumni. At the 10 a.m. undergraduate commencement, four associate degree recipients and 1,391 baccalaureate degree recipients were recognized along with Indra K. Nooyi, chairman and CEO of PepsiCo, who received an honorary doctorate of humane letters and gave the commencement address.
A chilly and overcast April 25 did not discourage a crowd of more than 600 attendees from celebrating the long-anticipated formal opening of the H.O. Smith Botanic Gardens in The Arboretum at Penn State. Bounded by Park Avenue and Bigler Road on the University Park campus, the gardens serve as the front door to the remainder of the Arboretum's 370 acres. Arboretum Director Kim C. Steiner said that the gardens have "already become part of Penn State life, and part of the treasured memories that students will have of their time at the University." For photos from the dedication, visit http://live.psu.edu/stilllife/2256 online. (more)
Several Penn State organizations will join together for a week of events to mark Earth Day 2010. On Earth Day (April 22), a ribbon cutting will be held at the location of the 2010 senior class gift -- the Marsh Meadow Boardwalk and Overlook at the Arboretum. Visitors may take self or guided tours of the Arboretum, and the event will feature free food and entertainment from 3-6 p.m. On Friday (April 23), students will "Celebrate State" with a festival at 1 p.m. and concert featuring the Flobots at 7 p.m., on the HUB Lawn. (more)
