The Arboretum at Penn State to Build Children's Garden

Thanks to two leadership gifts totaling $4 million, The Arboretum at Penn State will create and grow the Children's Garden, an interactive place for children to learn and to explore the natural world. A gift from Edward R. and Helen S. Hintz will fund the construction of the space, and a gift from Charles H. "Skip" Smith will create an endowment to maintain the garden and develop its educational programs. A previously announced gift from Marcia Day in 2008 will provide endowment support for children's education programs.
"The Children's Garden will play a key role in the mission of the Arboretum, and I think it will become one of the most popular features in the H. O. Smith Botanic Gardens," said Kim Steiner, director of the Arboretum and professor of forest biology in the College of Agricultural Sciences. "The Children's Garden will help us to foster an appreciation for nature through experiences that may spark a deep and lasting interest in plants and their environment. This aspect of the Arboretum has been a priority from the very beginning, and we are truly thankful that Skip, Helen and Ed have made it come to life."

More information can be found here.