Troy University Arboretum restored

A team of professors and community volunteers is restoring the Arboretum to its former glory.

Dr. Alvin Diamond (’84), Biology Professor and Arboretum Director; Jonathan Miller (’06, ’09), Lecturer and Aquatic Biologist; Dr. Siegfried Harden, Associate Professor and Chair of the Biology Department; and longtime volunteer Clark Harris have worked together to secure multiple grants that have aided in their efforts. Grants include $3,000 from the Wiregrass Resource Conservation and Development Council, $5,000 from the Choctawhatchee, Pea and Yellow Rivers Watershed Management Authority and $25,000 from Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama’s (HMMA) Charitable Giving Program.

The Arboretum was also the focus of a Gold Award project for Montgomery Girl Scout Ambassador Mia Johnston, a senior at Booker T. Washington Magnet School. Johnston completed approximately 90 hours of community service work and in the process provided new signage for each trailhead, built two bridges, a set of stairs and a ramp, and helped finish outlining a trail.

The Arboretum encompasses 75 acres and features 7.5 miles of nature trails, more than 500 identified plant species, a pond, an outdoor classroom and an indoor classroom. Classes are currently being held in the newly renovated outdoor classroom, and an area has been cleared for a garden for bees, butterflies and other important pollinators. Future upgrades will feature informational kiosks and two self-guided, half-mile trails.