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Arboretum garden named to honor UT alumna |
| By
Stacy Moeller |
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Nov 3, 2006 |
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The Stranahan Arboretum’s native plant garden has been dedicated in a tribute to its creator, UT alumna Heather Carter.
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| Heather Carter tended to Stranahan Arboretum's native plant garden that was named in her honor. |
Carter graduated from The University of Toledo with a bachelor’s degree in recreation and leisure. While at UT, she volunteered much of her time at the arboretum and continued to do so after graduation.
“The garden is a valuable teaching tool for University students and professors,” Carter said. “It is a beautiful place with a valuable purpose and showcases 60 species of flowers and grasses, all native to the Oak Openings area.”
Five years ago, Carter installed the native plant garden at the arboretum and has maintained it. Recently, the arboretum dedicated the garden with a sign in her honor.
“The Stranahan Arboretum is filling a vital role in conserving vanishing native species by maintaining and expanding the garden, educating the public, and by propagating the plants,” Carter said. “Some of the plants grown are dotted horsemint, prickly pear cactus and butterfly weed.”
According to Sandra Stutzenstein, Stranahan Arboretum coordinator, Carter is deeply interested in people understanding the benefits of native plants since they not only provide food for native animals, but also require less water and fewer chemicals to keep alive.
“Her native garden fits well into the arboretum's new focus on urban landscape ecology research and future outreach,” Stutzenstein said. “We hope to expand the garden in the future.”
Carter has donated plant material from her parent’s garden, as well as worked with the arboretum to purchase new plants. She also has rescued native plants from lots being developed in the area.
To get involved in native plant gardens, contact the Wild Ones Native Plant Group, which meets at the Toledo Botanical Gardens. Todd Crail, UT graduate student in the Department of Environmental Sciences, is president of the local chapter and can be reached at todd.crail.utoledo.edu, or for more information call the Toledo Botanical Gardens at 419.936.2986. The Wild Ones national Web site is www.for-wild.org.
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