Furman receives arboretum accreditation

GREENVILLE, S.C. – Furman University has received accreditation with the Morton Register of Arboreta as a Level I arboretum.

The institution's George G. Willis Jr. Arboretum, whose grounds and tree tags are accessible to the public, earned the recognition for exemplifying tree conservation and species diversity as well as for its educational resources and events focused on landscapes and trees.

"Furman’s designation as an arboretum speaks to our commitment to the landscape as a means whereby people may learn and appreciate the value and services trees impart," said Kylie Stackis, a 2014 Furman graduate and Shi Center for Sustainability Student Landscape Fellow. "Landscapes have the power to shape the identity of a place, and Furman would not be the same institution without its trees.”

Future plans at the arboretum include installing interpretive signage, organizing guided “tree walks” for the public, and enhancing online resources.

The arboretum is named for George G. Willis Jr., a 1948 graduate whose passion for the Furman landscape persists to fund future arboretum developments.

On the Web: Morten Register of Arboreta