Morris Arboretum receives prestigious accreditation

Posted 4/10/13

The Morris Arboretum was recently named a Level IV Accredited Arboreta by The Morton Register of Arboreta, achieving the highest level of recognition available. The Morton Register is a comprehensive …

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Morris Arboretum receives prestigious accreditation

Posted

The Morris Arboretum was recently named a Level IV Accredited Arboreta by The Morton Register of Arboreta, achieving the highest level of recognition available. The Morton Register is a comprehensive list and database of arboreta and other public gardens that have a substantial focus on trees and shrubs.

The Morton Register was created to 1) foster the establishment and professionalism of arboreta, 2) identify arboreta capable of participating or collaborating in certain scientific, collections, or conservation activity, and 3) advance the planting and conservation of trees to improve the world. Arboreta are accredited at different levels depending on degrees of development, capacity, and professionalism.

Organizations in that have been awarded Level IV status have met the highest levels of arboretum standards including the following:

• A scientific and/or conservation staff and capability to collaborate on sophisticated scientific or conservation activities with other arboreta or organizations related to trees.

• Institutional capacity, stability, and commitment to hold and safeguard plants of collections or conservation value on behalf of the collective interests of the profession.

• Specific participation in collaborative scientific or conservation activities related to trees, such as the North American Plant Collections Consortium or the Global Trees Campaign.

The Morris Arboretum is the only arboretum in the Philadelphia area to receive this level of accreditation. When asked about this distinction, Anthony S. Aiello, the Arboretum’s Director of Horticulture and Curator, said, “This recognition acknowledges the Morris Arboretum's standing among its peers as one of the leaders in collecting, growing, and teaching people about our trees. It is a testament to the work of all of our staff in making the Arboretum a place where visitors can enjoy, learn, and study the life of trees and their importance in the world.”

The Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania is located at 100 East Northwestern Avenue in the Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia. The 92-acre horticulture display garden features a spectacular collection of mature trees in a beautiful and colorful landscape.

Open weekdays 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and weekends 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Open late on Thursdays in June, July, and August until 8:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.morrisarboretum.org.

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