COSAM News Articles 2020 June Auburn’s Arboretum Receives $5,000 COVID-19 Response Grant from the Stanley Smith Horticultural Trust

Auburn’s Arboretum Receives $5,000 COVID-19 Response Grant from the Stanley Smith Horticultural Trust

Published: 06/23/2020

By: Maria Gebhardt

“I am thrilled that this beautiful garden is getting support through the Smith Trust,” said Morgan Beadles, director of the Donald E. Davis Arboretum. “We continue to stay open so that Our community can enjoy this incredible natural resource in Auburn. With 13 acres of trees and fauna, locals can visit the Davis Arboretum and remain socially distant.”

The COVID-19 Response Grant is from the Stanley Smith Horticultural Trust, which was founded in 1970 by Mary Smith in honor of her late husband.

“We are using the funds to complete our new Oak Alley display located at the south end of the Arboretum. This came at a critical time for us, as we missed out on the spring revenue we greatly depend on to fund improvements throughout the year. We are beyond thankful for the additional help from the Stanley Smith Horticultural Trust, said Beadles.

The Davis Arboretum is a natural resources that proudly resides on the Auburn University campus. The garden is always free and open to all from sunrise to sunset. The facility includes 7,961 individual plants, walking and running trails that are stroller-friendly, three water features, and twelve species of Auburn Azaleas.

It received national certification for its Deciduous Rhododendron Collection from the Plant Collections Network in 2019. These Auburn Azaleas can only be purchased through the Arboretum and are named after professors and places on the Auburn University campus.

The garden also received national accreditation for its Oak collection in 2010, and contributes data to research and publications to help protect plants for future generations.

The Trust provides grants around the world from North America to the Caribbean to Australia.

To learn more about Stanley and Mary Smith, visit the Smith Trust.