Not yet been to the Arboretum (entrance at 1800 S. Lincoln) and interested in learning about it?  Been there, but wanted to know more?  Check out “Whither the Arboretum?” on Thursday, October 17 from 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. in the Knight Auditorium at Spurlock Museum (600 S. Gregory), or see https://www.spurlock.illinois.edu/.  The Arboretum's gardens, collections, and habitats are transforming 160 acres of the University's south campus into an exceptional "living laboratory" for students in plant sciences and fine and applied arts, as well as an oasis of natural beauty open to the public.

This talk by Arboretum Director Kevin McSweeney covers a brief history of the development of the Arboretum, as well as and its current activities. Emerging aspirations towards a more student-engaged and campus/community-centered Arboretum will also be discussed. Dr. McSweeney is a soil scientist and PhD graduate of UIUC. He spent 30 years at the University of Wisconsin-Madison on the faculty and in several administrative roles, including Director of the Arboretum. His research and teaching interests are in soil and earth history and repurposing degraded land.

This event is part of the Spurlock’s Third Thursday Series highlighting people, places, and events in University history.