Penn State Altoona earns Level I Arboretum accreditation

ALTOONA, Pa. - In February, Altoona was designated as an accredited Level I Arboretum through ArbNet, an international community of arboreta and tree-focused professionals.

Founded by The Morton Arboretum in 2011, the program establishes and shares a recognized set of industry standards to unify the arboretum community around the world. It operates the only international accreditation program specifically for arboreta.

Penn State Altoona was able to achieve this status through Penn State's Commonwealth Arboreta Network (CAN), which was developed in 2023. This ongoing initiative inventories trees and woody plant life with the goal of creating an arboretum at each of Penn State's campuses. These efforts are on a scale not attempted by any other land-grant university or state university system.

Started by seven foundational campus participants, including Altoona, CAN is an inclusive resource that brings together faculty, staff and administration for teaching, research and outreach opportunities across Pennsylvania, fulfilling the University's 21st-century land-grant mission.

Initial project funding was made possible by the James and Barbara Ingram Endowment for the Penn State Arboreta in 2023. James Ingram, president and chief operating officer of Bartlett Tree Experts, earned an associate degree in forest technology from Penn State Mont Alto in 1979 and a bachelor's degree in agriculture at University Park in 1983.

Bartlett Tree Experts used mapping technology and software to inventory trees on the Penn State Altoona campus, then created a map that the public can access with a searchable database.

"Inclusion in the searchable database allows both local residents and visitors to our region to discover our arboretum and know they are welcome to explore our collection," says Sarah Allen, associate professor of biology and Penn State Altoona's faculty CAN representative.

These efforts do more than document the beauty and breadth of trees; they create benefits that branch across Pennsylvania.

"Penn State is the only land-grant university system using trees to unite university-wide efforts across facilities, philanthropy, faculty and staff offerings and opportunities for student success," says Kay Fleischner, program assistant for the Commonwealth Arboreta Network. "We at the CAN are thrilled that Altoona has achieved Level I accreditation and feel it is a worthy recognition of their participation in this initiative."

The network provides living laboratories for programs including biology, botany, ecology, sustainability and horticulture. It offers opportunities for joint research projects in areas such as urban forestry, climate adaptation, horticultural practices, entomology and plant pathology. CAN invites community participation through cooperative extension and workforce development, philanthropic endeavors and providing a place of beauty, recreation and education for the public.

Fifteen campuses have been inventoried so far. Penn State Altoona's 170+ acres were mapped in summer 2024, resulting in a documented total of 1,277 trees representing more than 120 species across 57 genera.

The campus excels in oak biodiversity - white oaks, northern red oaks, black oaks, pin oaks, and chestnut oaks. But there are also many representations of maple, cherry, birch, spruce and pine trees, along with tulip poplar, pawpaw, gingko and dawn redwood.

Penn State Altoona is the fourth Commonwealth Campus to achieve Level I accreditation.

"Earning this accreditation is a treasure," says Ron Darbeau, Penn State Altoona chancellor and dean. "It's exciting that our campus is a unique place where tree and plant biodiversity are showcased while also being a network for research and teaching resources."

An accredited arboretum title is a boon to the ecological academics at the college, such as biology and environmental studies, as well as the forest technology and wildlife technology programs that will begin in fall 2027.

"We are building on the University's commitment to distinctive academic offerings that connect students to Pennsylvania's natural resources," says Darbeau. "These degree programs will benefit greatly from Altoona's ability to support hands-on learning experiences right on the campus."

The accreditation further empowers Penn State Altoona to strengthen its tree collection and expand its impact.

"I am excited that obtaining a Level I accreditation through ArbNet has brought greater attention to the trees and woody plants on campus," says Allen. "Plants are often underappreciated and poorly understood, yet they are essential for life on Earth and far more complex than they appear."

As part of the accreditation, Penn State Altoona is now listed on the Morton Register, a comprehensive database that lists arboreta and botanic gardens around the world.