
Testimonials
Hear from accredited arboreta around the world about how ArbNet accreditation has benefited their institutions.

Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
“ArbNet accreditation is a new height of excellence in Phipps’ commitment to tree management, education and conservation. We are honored to join this prestigious network of institutions and connect to their rich knowledge and resources around the care of trees.”
Richard Piacentini, president and CEO
Greenwich Town Arboretum
“ArbNet accreditation will become a catalyst towards a more meaningful conservation initiative in compliance to global standards of saving the trees of our locality that serves as the backbone of our biological diversity”
JoAnn Messina, executive director


Royal Rotterdam Zoological and Botanical Gardens
“The ArbNet Level II accreditation will help us in finding other arboreta in a worldwide network to contribute in our aims and goals als modern Zoo with a botanical collection, in order to prevent endangered trees and animals from extinction and create awareness to the public to get them involved in our work”
Louwerens-Jan Nederlof, curator
Pinetum-Arboretum Lucus Augusti
“The ArbNet accreditation represents an important recognition for the management team of the Lucus Augusti arboretum and it encourages us to continue our work. The accreditation is also an excellent stimulus for the social projection and awareness raising activities of the arboretum.”
J. Henrique P. Rodríguez, owner


George Mason University Arboretum
“George Mason University joined ArbNet’s international community of arboreta to engage with a global community of arboreta professionals, publicly communicate our university’s commitment to living, green infrastructure, and adopt a world-class framework for managing and preserving the George Mason University Arboretum for years to come.”
Dr. Andrea Weeks, director of the Ted R. Bradley Herbarium (GMUF)
Four Season Resort Lana’i
“The gardens at Four Seasons Resort Lana’i are an integral part of the resort design, creating a beautifully peaceful environment. But beyond that, the landscape serves as a backdrop for commissioned works of outdoor art and sculpture, a setting for treasured wedding photos or private dining experiences and even has more practical uses, as we share how Hawaiians utilize flowers and plants in crafts and medicine with our guests. We take great pride in caretaking such a diverse and important collection and are delighted to be recognized with ArbNet accreditation.”
Alastair McAlpine, general manager


Montgomery Botanical Center
“It is great to officially be part of a vital network of arboreta working to improve standards for tree collections, promote collaborative conservation, and move the field forward. And, the ArbNet accreditation is a wonderful achievement for the MBC Team!”
Patrick Griffith, executive director
Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest
“It is a real privilege to manage such an important tree collection at Bedgebury on behalf of the nation. The recognition that Level IV accreditation brings helps to further highlight the important global conservation work undertaken at the National Pinetum. Achieving this award is testament to the hard work and dedication of our Pinetum team.”
Alex Brearley, forest management director


Ghent University Botanical Garden
“Accreditation by ArbNet is important for our garden for at least two reasons. First, this means an independent qualitative evaluation of our arboretum and garden, useful in our communication with both the general and more specialized public. Second, thanks to ArbNet we are able to contact a community of high-quality arboreta, useful for many possible reasons, from information on novel invasive species to exchanging specimens.”
Dr. Paul Goetghebeur, director
The Scott Arboretum of Swarthmore College
“Recognition in this program is a way to help convey the Scott Arboretum was established as a living museum, so we strive to and are expected to uphold professional standards and best practices in maintaining a curated ornamental plant collection in keeping with the Arboretum’s mission, while residing on a college campus. It also will help convey that we are not a typical college campus, given our collections of ornamental plants and educational programs have been developed to serve the public at large, not just beautify the college, and have been made possible by a variety of restricted endowment funds given solely for this purpose. Achieving accreditation is also a great way to convey to volunteers and donors we are worthy of their support and it will help us attract and retain talented staff members.”
Claire Sawyers, director





