University of California, Davis

The University of California’s Davis Arboretum will conduct a detailed conservation assessment of the 2,200 trees in the plant collection, including photographic documentation and in-depth examination by a consulting arborist for treatment recommendations for particular specimens; develop a long-term conservation plan for the trees; design and build a geographic information system tree assessment module that will be distributed to botanical gardens and zoo horticulturists nationwide; and develop educational programs for visitors and online audiences about the conservation of living collections and the ecological benefits trees provide. Programs will include a partnership with UC Davis faculty and students to create class projects that allow students to conduct research in the arboretum and share their results with visitors by designing interpretive signs and a cell phone tour with messages about the project and the arboretum’s leadership in collections conservation nationally.