Grants for Accessibility and Education
REEVES-REED ARBORETUM
Receives Grants for Accessibility and Education
Totaling $29,950
Summit, NJ The mission of Reeves-Reed Arboretum is to engage, educate, and enrich the lives of our constituents to become better stewards of nature and the planet. With an ever increasing visitorship – now over 100,000 annually – the Arboretum acknowledges and embraces its responsibility to make the grounds safe and welcoming to visitors of all abilities, and to fully embody the goals of our mission.
In 2017, the Arboretum initiated, funded and completed Phase One of a two-phased Accessibility Project. Thanks to a new $20,000 grant from the E.J. Grassmann Trust, along with additional support received this year, architectural plans have been drawn up and the stage is set to proceed with Phase Two. "The Arboretum was recently chosen the "Best Garden in New Jersey" by readers of NJ Family. To be counted alongside some magnificent sites in New Jersey – the Garden State—is a reflection on our ability to engage our constituency both creatively and emotionally," according to RRA Executive Director, Frank Juliano. "Now that Phase One of our Accessibility Project is complete, additional funding is being sought to fully realize this bold and vital accessibility initiative."
Environmental education is at the core of the Arboretum's mission. Longstanding partner, Novartis, has awarded Reeves-Reed Arboretum a grant of $9,950 in support of RRA's award-winning program, Hands-to-Nature. Viewed as one of the most successful and innovative programs in the State, Hands-to-Nature provides a full day hands-on, nature-rich experience to kids from Newark, Plainfield, Elizabeth and Bayonne. RRA's environmental educators carefully prepare up-to-date curriculum, aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards, and work directly with each classroom instructor in preparation for the trip to the Arboretum. After their visit, follow up materials and opportunities are provided for each participating school.
For more information about the programs, events, workshops, performances and classes at Reeves-Reed Arboretum, or learn more about our Accessibility Project, please visit our website at www.reeves-reedarboretum.org or call 908-273-8787 x 1010.
About Reeves-Reed Arboretum: Celebrating over 40 years as an historic public garden, education resource, and non-profit conservancy, Reeves-Reed Arboretum engages, educates and enriches the public through horticulture and environmental education, and the care and utilization of the gardens and estate. Open 7 days a week, the Arboretum is listed on both the National and New Jersey State Historic Registers. Funding for RRA has been made possible in part by the NJ Historical Commission, a division of the Department of State, through a grant administered by the Union County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs, Dept. of Parks & Community Renewal.
Reeves-Reed Arboretum - A place to grow....for everyone!
PHOTO CREDIT: "LOVE", Sable Island 1994, Nova Scotia, Canada. Roberto Dutesco
