Forest Lawn Announces New Arboretum Accreditation and Receives National Conservation Award at Third Annual “State of the Arboretum.”

Fittingly, on Arbor Day, April 24, 2026, Forest Lawn hosted its third annual "State of the Arboretum."

In this session, the historic cemetery's leadership announced its new advanced level of accreditation as a "Level II Arboretum" as designated by ArbNet, an international network of tree-focused professionals. Forest Lawn had earned accreditation as a "Level I Arboretum" just two years ago, and as a result of the progress made since then, now becomes only the second Level II Arboretum in Western New York (joining the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens) and only the sixth cemetery in New York State to achieve that status.

Forest Lawn also accepted the national Conservation Medal from The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR), an international non-profit women's service organization dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history, and securing better education. The NSDAR Conservation Medal is given annually to organizations with "distinguished records" in environmental conservation and public education. Forest Lawn was nominated for this honor by the NSDAR's Polly Gillett Hull Chapter, based in Elma.

In addition, during the State of the Arboretum, Forest Lawn provided updates on a number of key initiatives designed to not only preserve but renew and revitalize the cemetery's tree collection, which has diminished over time due to the effects of Dutch elm disease, an aging tree canopy, the "October Surprise" storm of 2006 and other events.

Special thanks to Buffalo News for providing photos