Botanical Garden and Arboretum Special Gifts Program

Scope

This program applies to those interested in sponsoring trees and benches on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) campus.

Policy Statement

Individuals and groups with special interest in the University of Nebraska-Lincoln are invited to sponsor trees and benches on campus. This generous gesture adds a personal touch to the UNL campus and helps to enhance the beauty and botanical diversity of our landscape while creating places for all to enjoy on campus. 

This is an opportunity to honor or memorialize individuals or commemorate events. Those honored may be recognized on a garden plaque with space for a brief message to describe the honor.

New or existing trees are available for sponsorship. Tree species and locations are determined by the Landscape Architect with input from the donor. New trees are generally planted on campus in spring and fall. 

Trees and benches sponsored for special recognition receive excellent care from our professional staff. Benches will be maintained for 5 years. Trees chosen as memorials can be endowed for a period of 15 years or 40 years. If necessary, the tree will be replaced if it should fail in that length of time. All reasonable effort will be made to get the input of the donor if construction or other factors make it necessary to replace the tree. If the tree stays healthy, we will continue to maintain it as a memorial tree and plaque after the endowed period. Please remember that trees are living entities, with limited life spans. Given the severity and fluctuation in our climate, as well as the changes that occur on the campus landscape, we cannot guarantee trees, benches or other landscape features in perpetuity.

 

Pricing

Memorials for trees include the cost of the plants, the cost of the plaque and the cost to establish the planting. The funds we receive for these memorials are deposited in an endowment account with the University of Nebraska Foundation where the money generated from these funds provides for continued maintenance or replacement if necessary. Memorials in the form of benches do not include an endowment for replacement. 

Tree- 15 years                                      $1,500

Tree - 40 years                                     $6,500

Bench- 5 years                                      $3,500

Reason for Policy

This established program is the principle way to honor or memorialize individuals or commemorate events, while also enhancing the beauty and botanical diversity of the campus landscape.

Procedures

Special Gift Program payments should be made to the University of Nebraska Foundation and mailed to UNL Landscape Services at 1309 N. 17^th Street, Lincoln, NE 68588-0663.

Additional Contacts

Landscape Services -

402-472-1550

History

• This policy was reformatted in 2021. May 11, 2021 - Bench pricing updated from $2,500 to $3,500.