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AT THIS SITE Guidelines & Application * |
Define the Arboretum’s Purpose: Why are you constructing an arboretum? Is it to help identify trees found in your neighborhood, or your state, or region of your country? Will it be used for scientific study or is it more of a leisure park environment? Picking an Arboretum Site: Knowing the purpose of an arboretum will assist in determining its location. An arboretum demonstrating a small number of species of trees could be established in a neighborhood park or on the campus of a school, while research arboretums are commonly located on larger tracts of land. After determining the amount of land required for the arboretum, another concern is the availability of water. Is there a water source present to provide supplemental watering to newly planted trees for the first three years after transplanting and for older trees during times of severe drought? If the purpose of the arboretum is to demonstrate a large variety of tree species then the arboretum needs to be located on a site with both dry soils and wet soils or soils located near a stream. A site that provides diverse soil types could also support a diverse population of tree species. Another factor to consider is accessibility; arboreta located on steep topography or located in forested settings will have limited use to older Americans, handicapped citizens, or parents with younger children in strollers. How to Fund an Arboretum: Money may be required for purchasing land, obtaining trees, buying identification signs, tree maintenance, pamphlet production and promotion. There are several possibilities an arboretum can seek to find financial support. One funding option may be available through the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Division of Forestry through their Urban Forestry Grant Assistance Program. Arboreta could apply for a grant to plant trees or to purchase signs and develop brochures. More information on this grant can be found at tn.gov/agriculture/forestry/urbanforestry. Corporate sponsorship could be another option. Visit the Internet site www.fundsnetservices.com to get a good start on finding corporate sponsors. An arboretum can also seek assistance through fundraisers conducted by various civic groups (boy and girl scouts, Kiwanis, Rotary Club). Forming a nonprofit organization to administer the arboretum can increase the potential number of grant opportunities. Many arboretums try to be self-sufficient by offering memberships that are renewed yearly. The cost of a membership varies from ten to fifty dollars per year. Along the same line, some arboretums offer “Friends of” organizations to help fund the arboretums. Both fundraising methods ensure a constant level of funding that allows an arboretum to maintain a high level of educational programming without the worry of governmental financial shortages. Resources for Identifying Existing Trees Found on Site: The main purpose of an arboretum is to learn about trees. Make every effort to correctly identify the trees. Several books are available to use as field or on site guides. Some of them include: Manual of Woody
Landscape Plants
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