Prince George's Audubon Society Certified Habitats
The Arboretum began a collaboration in 2023 with Epsilon Eta and the Prince George's Audubon Society to recognize its commitment to bird habitat on campus. Epsilon Eta, the co-ed, professional fraternity focusing on Environmental Science and Sustainability was established in the Fall Semester of 2019. This organization focuses on professional and academic development through service days, on- and off-campus projects designed and implemented by members, and social events.
ArbNet Level IV Accreditation
In 2019, the University became a Level IV ArbNet Accredited Arboretum by The ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program and The Morton Arboretum, for achieving particular standards of professional practices deemed important for arboreta and botanic gardens. The ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program is the only global initiative to officially recognize arboreta at various levels of development, capacity, and professionalism.
Tree Campus Higher Education
Since the inaugural year of the arboretum in 2008, the University has been honored by the Arbor Day Foundation with the designation of Tree Campus USA, now called Tree Campus Higher Education – one of just 25 campuses to do so.
Bee Campus USA
In the spring of 2023, the University of Maryland's campus was designated as a Bee Campus USA, recognizing the work of many different campus partners to promote the health of pollinators in our local area. These partners include, but are not limited to:
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UMD Arboretum and Botanical Gardens
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UMD Entomology Department
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UMD Bee Lab, EspindoLab, Lamp Lab, Bug Camp, Others
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Get Involved
There are many ways to support our campus arboretum. We regularly rely on volunteer groups and individuals to care for our pollinator habitat, campus food gardens, enhanced landscapes, rain gardens, and reforestation projects.
We offer internship for credit and partner with academic departments to provide a rich learning experience for students, both graduate and undergraduate.
UMD Arboretum Reports 5,927 Volunteer Hours in 2022
Each semester, many hundreds of UMD students and community members volunteer their time to support the UMD Arboretum by performing weeding, mulching, planting, and litter cleanup. In 2022, the Arboretum recorded 5,927 volunteer hours at a record value of $178,861*.
FM Completes the Transition to Electric Leaf Blowers
Facilities Management’s (FM) Landscape Maintenance team has accomplished the long-awaited switch from gasoline-powered to electric leaf blowers. Completing a transition that began in 2018, FM eliminated the last of the gasoline-powered equipment at the start of this year. Outside contractors are also required to use electric blowers when working on the UMD campus.
Magnolias in our Midst
Our campus has many different types and species of magnolias in bloom each spring. If you have magnolias at home, our friends at the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society has a good article on their care and use.
Bees Without Borders
Along a busy stretch of Adelphi Road just south of the University of Maryland sits an unremarkable field, its dormant scrub offering little trace of the six-month, nectar-fueled rager it hosted last year. But by June, the sea of muted brown will again give way to a riot of black-eyed Susans, golden Alexanders and crimson beardtongues—a floral feast for the eyes, and for the bellies of bees, butterflies and other frequent fliers roaming the region.
Campus Pollinator Conservation Effort Seeks ‘Bee Campus USA’ Designation
The University of Maryland Arboretum and Botanical Garden is excited to announce a new collaborative effort on campus, seeking to earn the distinction of ‘Bee Campus USA’ for the University of Maryland. This effort is led by PollinaTerps, a collective group of University of Maryland students, staff, and faculty, including entomological, horticultural, and sustainability professionals.