Reeves-Reed Arboretum Receives Significant Grant Support to Advance Education, Preserve Historic Spaces, and Strengthen Operations
Summit, NJ — Reeves-Reed Arboretum is pleased to announce the receipt of three generous grants totaling $199,500, supporting critical operational needs, historic preservation, and the Arboretum’s robust environmental education programming.
The E.J. Grassmann Trust awarded $14,000 to fund the purchase of four new computers and a new sign engraving machine. These upgrades will enhance staff efficiency and improve the production of educational, directional, and interpretive signage throughout the Arboretum’s 13.5-acre landscape.
The Union Foundation awarded $10,500 to replace the air conditioning unit in the historic Wisner House sunporch. This improvement will help preserve the historic structure while ensuring a comfortable environment for visitors, programs, and special events year-round.
The Arboretum also received a transformative $175,000 operational grant from The Stackhouse Foundation to support and sustain more than 400 educational initiatives annually. This funding directly supports the Environmental Education team, including salaries for educators who lead programming for both adults and children. Programs supported include school field trips, summer camps, homeschool and scout group sessions, adult education offerings, curriculum development, and physical education and learning materials.
“Support from these foundations allows Reeves-Reed Arboretum to remain a vital community resource,” shared Jackie Kondel, Executive Director. “These grants strengthen our ability to educate, preserve, and inspire—ensuring that visitors of all ages continue to experience the benefits of nature, learning, and historic preservation.”
Reeves-Reed Arboretum is an independent nonprofit organization and receives no municipal funding. Grants and philanthropic support are essential to maintaining the gardens, historic buildings, and educational programs that serve thousands of visitors each year.
For more information about Reeves-Reed Arboretum and its programs, visit reeves-reedarboretum.org.
About Reeves-Reed Arboretum
Reeves-Reed Arboretum has been a cornerstone of Summit’s cultural landscape since 1974 and is celebrating its 51st year as a public arboretum. Listed on both the National and State Registers of Historic Places, the Arboretum is open to the public seven days a week, serving as a sanctuary for visitors and wildlife alike. To learn more or support the Arboretum, visit reeves-reedarboretum.org.
About Reeves-Reed Arboretum
Reeves-Reed Arboretum has been a cornerstone of Summit’s cultural landscape since 1974 and is currently celebrating its 50th year as a public arboretum. Listed on both the National and State Registers of Historic Places, it is open to the public 7 days a week and serves as a sanctuary for both visitors and wildlife. More information is available at www.reeves-reed arboretum.org.
About ArbNet
ArbNet is an interactive, collaborative, international community of arboreta. ArbNet facilitates the sharing of knowledge, experience, and other resources to help arboreta meet their institutional goals and works to raise professional standards through the ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program. The accreditation program, sponsored and coordinated by The Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois in cooperation with American Public Gardens Association and Botanic Gardens Conservation International is the only global initiative to officially recognize arboreta based on a set of professional standards. The program offers four levels of accreditation, recognizing arboreta of various degrees of development, capacity and professionalism. Standards include planning, governance, public access, programming and tree science, planting and conservation. More information is available at www.arbnet.com.
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!