Event highlights over two decades of growth, stewardship, and educational impact
Left to right, back row: Royce Dingley, Dr. Leo Lombardini, and Dr. Scott Merkle. Front row: Barbara Dooley, Dr. Michael Dirr, and Bonnie Dirr.
The University of Georgia celebrated the 25th anniversary of its campus arboretum designation on Friday, honoring over two decades of intentional landscape stewardship and the continued growth of one of the university’s most beloved natural assets.
Organized by the Facilities Management Division’s Grounds Department, the event was held at Conner Hall and brought together faculty, staff, grounds professionals, and friends of the university. Guests gathered for a tree planting and reflections on the campus’s transformation since 2000, when UGA’s tree population was formally recognized as an arboretum. At that time, the university documented fewer than 10,000 trees across campus. Today, that number has grown to around 15,000, thanks to ongoing efforts to preserve and enhance the campus canopy.
The UGA Campus Arboretum spans more than 750 acres and features hundreds of tree species. With an interactive online tree map, guided tours, and detailed species profiles, the arboretum serves as both a living classroom and a defining feature of the university’s landscape.
Brett Ganas delivers remarks at the FMD Grounds event celebrating the 25th anniversary of UGA receiving the arboretum designation.
“It’s an honor for the Grounds Department to serve as the caretaker of the Campus Arboretum,” said Brett Ganas, interim senior director of Maintenance Planning and Design and director of Grounds and Fleet Management. “This anniversary celebrates not only the growth of our tree population, but also the long-standing commitment to maintaining and expanding a collection that enriches the beauty, diversity, and educational value of our campus landscape.”
Among those in attendance was Barbara Dooley, honoring the legacy of her late husband, Coach Vince Dooley, who played a key role in supporting the arboretum’s original establishment. In addition to serving as UGA’s head football coach for 25 seasons and athletic director for nearly two decades, Coach Dooley was also an avid gardener and a strong advocate for campus beautification and environmental stewardship.
Dr. Michael Dirr, professor emeritus of horticulture and another of the original champions of the arboretum, shared a few words on its lasting significance. “I’ve been retired for 20-some years, and I still walk campus all the time, and I marvel,” he said. “All those students, faculty, staff, and parents will hopefully walk by here, look up like I’m doing right now, and say, ‘I wonder who had the foresight to do that.’ We did. We did as a collective.”
The anniversary celebration included the planting of a shagbark hickory tree near Conner Hall, replacing a mature white oak that was recently removed. The site was chosen for both its historical and botanical significance.
“Reaching the 25th anniversary is special, and having some of the instrumental people who helped establish the arboretum here to with us is a real treat,” said Stephen Mitchell, a landscape architect with the Grounds Department who helped coordinate the event. “Our campus tree population is truly loved by all. Whether they’re plant people or not, it’s hard to find anyone who doesn’t appreciate our trees.”
As the campus continues to grow and change, the arboretum remains a vital resource for education, research, and natural beauty. Faculty and students from a range of disciplines—including horticulture, ecology, landscape architecture, and art—regularly use the arboretum as an outdoor classroom and source of inspiration.
The arboretum also serves as a tangible reminder of the university’s long-term investment in green spaces. Each tree planted is part of a larger vision for a healthier, more connected campus environment—one that benefits current and future generations of Bulldogs.
“The best thing you can do is plant a tree,” Dirr said. “There’s a Chinese proverb that says, ‘The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The next best time is today.’ That captures the spirit of this celebration perfectly.”
To explore the Campus Arboretum, including interactive maps and species information, visit https://sustainability.uga.edu/community-engagement/campus-arboretum.
