Haywood Community College has been awarded a Level II Accreditation 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.
HCC contains over three miles of trails and serves as a working laboratory for students in natural resources and other programs.
The Level II certification encompasses key elements such as creating and maintaining an arboretum plan, labeling of at least 100 plant species and conducting events throughout the year, all of which the college wholeheartedly embraces.
As part of this new certification, HCC is developing a variety of activities to bring the community to campus and highlight the many aspects of the arboretum. The first activity will be a guided walk on June 26, featuring a tour of campus with a focus on flowering shrubs. Walks will be held at noon or 1:30 p.m. and will last about an hour, with a cap of 12 attendees to ensure a personalized experience with the opportunity for guests to ask questions.
To register for this event and view upcoming walks and arboretum-related events, visit haywood.edu/visiting-campus/arboretum.php