City of Syracuse, NY

07/27/2026 | Press release | Archived content

City Parks Announces Pass Arboretum Accreditation

City Parks Announces Pass Arboretum Accreditation

Published on July 27, 2026

Syracuse Department of Parks, Recreation & Youth Programs announced the Level I accreditation of James Pass Arboretum through the ArbNet Accreditation program. This accreditation approves James Pass Arboretum as an internationally recognized arboretum, or tree museum.
The accreditation requires the creation of an improvement plan, a governing group, a designated arboretum manager, at least one tree-related outreach or education program per year, and a labeled collection of at least 25 varieties of woody plants.
The James Pass Arboretum Improvement Plan was created by the Parks Department's Forestry Division. Requirements for Level I accreditation were achieved through the completion of Phase I of the James Pass Arboretum Improvement Project, including planting new species to support local biodiversity, tree labeling, the creation of outdoor "classrooms", and walking (path) upgrades to improve accessibility and safety.
"This long-awaited achievement is a reflection of the dedication of our Forestry Division," said Syeisha Byrd, Commissioner of Parks, Recreation & Youth Programs. "The team has gone above and beyond to preserve, update and enhance our treasured tree collection. We are excited to create new educational opportunities to ensure the space is preserved for generations to come.
Founded by The Morton Arboretum, in collaboration with the American Public Gardens Association and Botanic Gardens Conservation International, the ArbNet Accreditation Program is the only international accreditation program specifically for arboreta. Accreditation can provide access to additional funding opportunities for tree research, conservation, public engagement and education.

Phase II of the James Pass Arboretum Improvement Project is planned to begin in Fall 2026. Project timeline is contingent on material availability, contractor schedules and favorable weather. The planned improvements include additional landscaping and the creation of a "Pollinator Pond" classroom.

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City of Syracuse, NY published this content on July 27, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on July 30, 2026 at 17:03 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]