An arboretum is a place where trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants are grown for scientific and educational purposes. Plants are maintained, labeled, cataloged and mapped. Each arboretum is unique, due to the characteristics of the setting, the collections, and the research and educational goals.
Our mission is to preserve the stately historic campus landscape, to build upon the diversity of the collection with sustainable species and to reinforce the aesthetic character of the campus. It seeks to provide visitors with a broader understanding of the campus landscape and promote long-term stewardship of the environment.
On April 2
7, 2015 the Hamilton College Arboretum and Clinton Elementary school celebrated Arbor Day. Two trees were dedicated - a Japanese lilac tree in honor of Lesley Urgo and a spruce tree in honor of Terry Hawkridge and Chris Lewis (shown here). Mrs. Urgo began the coordinated program in 2007. Mr. Hawkridge was former director of the Arboretum and Mr. Lewis is the director of the CCS physical plant.
Each year since 2007 a spruce tree has been donated to the school by the Arboretum. To date nine spruce trees have been given to form a "spruce row" behind the elementary school. These provide a nice wind and shade break for the building. The lilac will provide color and fragrance!
The school hosted a planting ceremony complete with two songs by the students and chorus. The dedications were given by Ann Smallen, volunteer on the Arboretum Committee and Steve Bellona, Director, Hamilton College Physical Plant.
At right - Principal Steve Marcus with Japanese Lilac planted in honor of Lesley Urgo
Aida Khalil is professor of landscape design and management in the Horticulture Department at SUNY Morrisville State College. She received a Master of Landscape Architecture from SUNY ESF and is a certified member of the CNY Nursery and Landscape Association. Aida will offer a comparative analysis of how sustainable gardens differ from unsustainable ones. Special focus will be on ways to achieve a balance of sustainable ecology and aesthetics in the residential landscape context.
