The initiative aims to connect students and community members with the natural environment through educational tours, instructor-led lessons, and food tastings. By highlighting native trees, plants, and a newly developed accessible garden space, the program emphasizes the nutritional and medicinal benefits of nature.
Educational offerings will serve both school-aged learners and the broader public. Local schools will be invited to bring students for hands-on lessons about the role of native plants in health and wellness. Community members can look forward to expanded arboretum events, including the annual “A Walk in Penn’s Woods” program and the campus Earth Day Activities Fair.
“We are grateful to the PPL Foundation for this grant, which is a great opportunity for sustainability efforts at the campus,” said Mary Ann Smith, lecturer of biology at Penn State Schuylkill. “We will be able to bring together our Level I ArbNet-accredited arboretum with our growing apiary program and the community garden to help promote health and well-being as we educate our students and communities about the benefits of nature. We are looking forward to upgrading our community garden to have more accessible spaces and encourage greater participation in this outdoor space and living laboratory.”
The PPL Foundation supports programs that improve the sustainability, education, and vitality of communities across Pennsylvania. With this grant, Penn State Schuylkill plans to expand its arboretum and community garden to create more inclusive opportunities for learning and engagement.