The University of Georgia commemorated the 25th milestone of its arboretum status on Friday, paying tribute to over two decades of dedicated landscape management and the ongoing development of one of the institution’s most cherished natural assets.

Arranged by the Facilities Management Division’s Grounds Department, the occasion took place at Conner Hall and united faculty, staff, landscaping experts, and university supporters. Attendees participated in a tree planting event and shared insights on the campus’s evolution since 2000, when UGA’s tree count was officially acknowledged as an arboretum. Back then, the university recorded fewer than 10,000 trees throughout the campus. Today, that figure has climbed to approximately 15,000, owing to persistent initiatives to protect and enrich the campus canopy.

The UGA Campus Arboretum encompasses over 750 acres and showcases hundreds of tree varieties. With an interactive online tree atlas, guided excursions, and comprehensive species descriptions, the arboretum functions as a living laboratory and a prominent aspect of the university’s landscape.

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