Penn State Scranton’s arboretum connects sustainability, research and learning

DUNMORE, Pa. — Penn State Scranton is cultivating a deeper connection between its students and the natural environment through its newly accredited campus arboretum, creating opportunities for education, research and community engagement across its 45-acre campus in Dunmore.

The campus arboretum was recently accredited as a Level I Arboretum by ArbNet, an interactive community of arboreta and tree professionals designed to support the common purposes and interests of tree-focused public gardens. The designation recognizes Scranton’s commitment to thoughtful stewardship of its trees and natural spaces while providing a foundation for future academic and sustainability initiatives. This was achieved as part of the Penn State Commonwealth Arboreta Network initiative, which Scranton joined in 2025.

Across campus, more than 300 trees represent a wide range of species, including birch, cherry, crabapple, dogwood, linden, maple, oak, pine, poplar and spruce. The collection also includes several varieties of maple and oak, contributing to a diverse landscape that changes throughout the seasons, creating habitat for native birds and other wildlife. They also provide opportunities for faculty and students to observe and study the natural environment directly.

“Our arboretum is much more than a collection of trees,” said Regional Chancellor Menah Pratt. “It is a living resource that supports learning, research and exploration while also enhancing the experience of everyone who visits our campus. This accreditation gives us an opportunity to build on that foundation, engage even more students in hands-on environmental learning and strengthen our commitment to sustainability and Penn State’s land-grant mission. We are proud to have our campus recognized as an arboretum and excited about the possibilities it creates for our students, faculty, staff and the broader community.”

Associate Professor of Biology Meg Hatch, an ornithologist who studies life-history trade-offs in migratory songbirds, has conducted research in various parts of the campus, often involving her students. The arboretum is also part of a broader sustainability effort at Scranton that includes student-led initiatives such as the campus’ Agricultural Enrichment Project (AEP), a student-created and managed initiative that combines hands-on learning with food production, gardening and environmental stewardship.

Through the AEP, students maintain a greenhouse and outdoor garden where they plant and harvest a variety of flowers and vegetables during the spring and summer. The project also includes an apiary with two active honeybee colonies.

Together, the arboretum and its ArbNet accreditation, AEP and apiary demonstrates Penn State Scranton’s commitment to sustainability while creating opportunities for students to learn from the environment around them. It also enforces Penn State’s land-grant mission by supporting teaching, research and hands-on learning, along with an appreciation for northeastern Pennsylvania’s natural resources.