Arboretum Accreditation, Tree Recognition for UH Mānoa Campus

UH Mānoa’s accreditation as an international arboretum was renewed on March 22, 2021 for five more years. A week later, the campus received its 12th straight Tree Campus USA recognition from the Arbor Day Foundation. The 320-acre Mānoa campus is home to more than 4,000 trees and 500 species from all over the world.

“These recognitions are a direct reflection of the hard work and dedication of UH Mānoa’s landscaping services team and the campus arboretum staff,” said Roxanne Adams, UH Mānoa director of buildings and grounds, of the dedicated team of employees who care for the campus. “On top of their regular duties, they oversee volunteer plantings and maintain records documenting the attributes of each tree including species, approximate age and condition.”

Campus Arboretum Curator Nōweo Kai said that the reaccreditation brings renewed determination to celebrate the living systems that help to soften and shade the campus’s hardscapes.

“We believe that the work we do showcases trees and helps to cultivate meaningful relationships between them and people,” said Kai. “Our trees, like our campus community, are uniquely beautiful and diverse, and well-deserving of this distinction.”

International arboretum

With the renewal, UH Mānoa is one of 452 arboretums in 34 countries accredited by ArbNet, an international arboretum accreditation program through the Morton Arboretum, American Public Gardens Association and Botanic Gardens Conservation International.

“This ongoing recognition of professional standards and capabilities bears significance for your organization and for tree-focused public gardens,” said Gerard T. Donnelly, president and CEO of The Morton Arboretum, in the letter notifying campus of the reaccreditation. “You have an important role in our shared purpose to plant and conserve trees, and accreditation in this work acknowledges your commitment.”