Grants Awarded to Reeves-Reed Arboretum from Union County and New Jersey Garden Clubs
SUMMIT, NJ – Reeves-Reed Arboretum is honored to be the recipient of several local grants this year totaling $9,500. This funding will support various projects and enhance the beauty and sustainability of the local non-profit public garden that is celebrating its 50th year.
The grants include:
● $500 from a Union County Means Green Community Garden Grant to support the enhancement of the Arboretum’s Children’s Square Foot Vegetable Garden that is used for gardening, cooking, and nutrition programs as well as harvest donations to local community food banks
● $3,500 from the Summit Garden Club to support the Arboretum’s seasonal gardener position, as well as $500 to support the Arboretum’s Hands to Nature program that provides transportation and a day of environmental education programming at the Arboretum for students from Newark, New Jersey
● $5000 from the New Jersey Committee of the Garden Club of America for Beech leaf disease (BLD) treatments to help the Arboretum slow down the spread of this disease in their woodlands and grounds; BLD is a very concerning tree disease that has spread quickly eastward in the United States and has been confirmed in ten NJ counties including: Bergen, Essex, Hunterdon, Mercer, Monmouth, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, and Union.
“These grants we have received not only help beautify our gardens, grounds, and woodlands, but also foster a sense of community pride and environmental stewardship,” shared Jackie Kondel, Executive Director of Reeves-Reed Arboretum. “The ongoing commitment of these local organizations in promoting gardening as a means of enhancing quality of life and fostering community spirit and education is inspiring. We look forward to seeing the positive impact these projects will have on our local environment and community.”
About Reeves-Reed Arboretum: Reeves-Reed Arboretum is a non-profit public arboretum dedicated to engaging, educating and enriching its visitors to become better stewards of nature and the environment. This mission is achieved through the care and utilization of the historic estate and gardens. Reeves-Reed Arboretum is listed on both the National and State Registers of Historic Places and is currently celebrating its 50th year as a public arboretum and education resource. For more information, visit reeves-reedarboretum.org.
About the Union County Means Green Program: This Union County New Jersey program provides opportunities for improved nutrition, education, recreation, social activities and volunteer service in local neighborhoods through the experience of growing food. For more information, visit ucnj.org/parks-recreation/community-garden-grant.
About the Summit Garden Club: Founded in 1916, this local non-profit promotes community knowledge and appreciation of gardening, horticulture and conservation. For more information, visit summitgardenclub.org.
About the New Jersey Committee of the Garden Club of America: The NJ Committee of the GCA funds projects that benefit the State of New Jersey. Since 1987, The Committee has donated $572,000 to over 94 projects in the Garden State. Grant money is raised through garden club members’ generous donations to The Growing Fund. For more information, visit njcommitteegca.org.
Reeves-Reed Arboretum is listed on both the National and State Registers of Historic Places and has been educating and inspiring community through nature for fifty years.
Reeves-Reed Arboretum…a place to grow, for everyone!
