UT President John D. Petersen and Joseph A. DiPietro, UT Vice President for Agriculture, hosted a Halloween Celebration of Fall Color at the Arboretum. Dozens of supporters were treated to a surprise when President Petersen announced that the Rogers Group has pledged the Founding Gift of $500,000 toward a $3 million endowment for this cherished regional landmark.

The Oak Hickory Trail is designated as the "Rogers Group Oak Hickory Trail" during the Celebration of Fall Color event.

Forest Resources Center Director, Richard Evans (center), unveiled a new trail sign honoring the Rogers Group for its founding gift to the Arboretum Endowment Fund during a ceremony hosted by University President John D. Petersen (second left) and Vice President for Agriculture, Joseph A. DiPietro (left). The Rogers Group, is represented by Vice President David Rechter (second right) and Division Vice President Mark Stephens (right). The UT Institute of Agriculture Development Office, Arboretum Director, Arboretum Society President, and several Arboretum Society members have been working in partnership for many months to lay a foundation for a successful endowment fund campaign. The Celebration of Fall Color marked the public kick-off for the campaign. Read more about the Arboretum Endowment...

New Marketing Campaign Unveiled

President John D. Petersen addresses the Celebration of Fall guests against the backdrop of the Arboretum's OUTDOORS banner.

In cooperation with UT President Petersen's FUTURE marketing campaign for the university, the Arboretum unveiled its new OUTDOORS promotional "word" at the Celebration of Fall Color event. Other promotional "words" being used by UT centers, institutes, and partnerships, include NEUTRONS by UT-Battelle at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, OUTER SPACE by UT geologist Hap McSween's NASA projects, and SLEUTH by the National Forensic Academy. The promotional "word" will be used to advertise the Arboretum at "future" events! Read more about the President's FUTURE campaign...

Arboretum Hosts Japanese Visitors

"Mountain fire danger" is a loose translation of the symbols on the banner.

Visitors from Japan presented Richard Evans, (left), Arboretum Director, with a banner in appreciation of their tour of the Arboretum facilities. The visitors were guests of Jennifer Franklin (right), Assistant Professor in the UT Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries Department.

Cub Scout Hike at Arboretum

Cub Scouts prepare for a hike at the Arboretum.

A recent Cub Scout Jamboree included a hike at the Arboretum led by Stephanie Wells (standing left).

UTAS Fall Wildflower Walk

Perfect weather greeted participants of the wildflower walk.

Kris Light (right), an Oak Ridge teacher and naturalist, introduced participants to spectacular fall woodland wildflowers commonly found in East Tennessee. They found tall purple and gold flowers which contrasted with the dainty ephemeral flowers that delighted visitors on a similar walk in the early Spring. The University of Tennessee Arboretum Society sponsored both events.

UTAS Sponsored "Night Owls" Lecture

The "star" of the evening is introduced by Kathy Strunk.

This evening event sponsored by the University of Tennessee Arboretum Society, began with a program presented by Kathy Strunk and Katie Cottrell, co-directors of the Clinch River Raptor Center. The program featured information about owls commonly found in East Tennessee. After the program, John Byrd led a walk on the grounds of the Arboretum to listen for owls and other "night noises". John, a recently retired biology teacher, is presently serving as a science consultant for Anderson County Schools. For the past 17 years he has coordinated the Clinch River Environmental Studies Organization (CRESO). Some of the group's work is done at the Arboretum. One of the studies is a bird-banding project conducted by Kathy Strunk, who is also part of the CRESO project.

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Summer 2006