MISSION STATEMENT:

“To acquire representative species of the flora of Southeast Alabama and to display them in situations that mimic the natural conditions under which the species would occur”. The Arboretum works to preserve species native to the Wiregrass region of Southeast Alabama on its 75-acre's adjacent to Troy University's main campus and the 18-acre Pocosin Nature Preserve located approximately 6 miles east of Troy. The Arboretum serves as a reference collection for the identification of plant species; to facilitate and encourage both research and education in botany, horticulture, and ecology; to provide access to the collection and its data for students, researchers, and the general public; and to conserve and maintain the plant collections for the future.

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE:

The Troy University Arboretum exists for these purposes: education, preservation, and recreation. The Arboretum seeks to further the educational opportunities available to the University and the surrounding area. As such, the Arboretum serves as a living laboratory, introducing visitors to the variety and diversity of the Wiregrass region of Alabama. We aim to increase knowledge of the plant life of the Wiregrass Region of Alabama by collecting, preserving, researching, and exhibiting botanical specimens. The Arboretum also serves as a readily accessible area to the University and the city of Troy for such activities as hiking, nature photography, picnics, bird watching, and the simple enjoyment of nature.

The Arboretum’s specific areas of interest comprise in order of priority, south Alabama, Alabama, the southeastern United States, and the eastern United States.  Rarely species not native to these areas are included within the Arboretums’s collection if  they contribute significant educational value.

The communities served by the Arboretum include the University community of which it administratively a part, the citizens of Alabama, and the national and international community of students,   scholars, and citizens.

To achieve its purposes, the Troy University Arboretum: preserves collections of pteridophytes, gymnosperms, and angiosperms from the targeted geographic areas; Undertakes scientific research purposes related to the collections; Offers access and information to interested members of the community.