Adkins Arboretum is the recipient of a prestigious Museums for America grant awarded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). Museums for America funding supports projects and activities that strengthen museums as active resources for lifelong learning, and enhance museums’ ability to serve the public more effectively.

Through its Campaign to Build a Green Legacy, the Arboretum will build a new visitor’s center to broaden educational offerings and research initiatives that promote best practices in conservation and land stewardship. The $28,000 IMLS grant will facilitate a planning effort to position the Arboretum to serve a larger audience when the Arboretum Center opens its doors in 2010.

Ellie Altman, Executive Director of Adkins Arboretum, said, “These grant funds are timely. The Arboretum will begin constructing a new ‘green’ visitor’s center next year that will support new and expanded programs. The IMLS grant funds will be used to plan these new programs. We are thrilled to be recipients of this highly competitive national grant program.”
“As repositories of our nation’s treasures and our nation’s history, museums are positioned to play an integral role in the education of their communities,” said Dr. Anne-Imelda M. Radice, IMLS Director. “Museums for America grants support projects and ongoing activities that build museums’ capacities and help these institutions serve their diverse constituencies to the best of their abilities.”

The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 122,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. The Institute’s mission is to create strong libraries and museums that connect people to information and ideas. The Institute works at the national level and in coordination with state and local organizations to sustain heritage, culture, and knowledge; enhance learning and innovation; and support professional development. To learn more about the Institute, please visit www.imls.gov.

Adkins Arboretum is a 400-acre native garden and preserve at the headwaters of the Tuckahoe Creek in Caroline County. Open year round, the Arboretum offers educational programs for all ages about nature and gardening. For additional information about Arboretum programs, visit www.adkinsarboretum.org or call 410-634-2847, ext. 0.