What’s New?
Career Opportunities at the Arboretum
We are seeking qualified applicants for the two positions described below. All applications are submitted electronically at https://hr.psu.edu/careers. Instructions for using the Penn State site are available at https://hr.psu.edu/content/frequently-asked-questions-careers.
Director of Horticulture and Operations
We are seeking a Director of Horticulture and Operations for the Arboretum at Penn State. We sit at an inflection point with several recently completed gardens (Pollinator and Bird Garden, 2021), those currently under construction (Palmer Museum of Art Landscape, 2023) as well future opportunities for the Arboretum at Penn State as we realize our vision to provide connections to plants that fulfill our 21st Century Land Grant mission. Responsibilities and qualifications are described in detail at https://bit.ly/ARBPSUDirHortOps.
Administrative Support and Volunteer Coordinator
We seek an Administrative Support and Volunteer Coordinator for the Arboretum at Penn State. The Arboretum strives to fulfill our 21st Century Land Grant University mission to connect plants, people, and gardens together in our community.
It’s an exciting time! We are building our staff to complement recently completed gardens and those currently under construction (Palmer Museum of Art Landscape, 2023). Our future looks bright. We have an engaged group of hundreds of volunteers and a vibrant community of supporters.
Responsibilities and qualifications are described in the position posting on Penn State’s careers site at bit.ly/3X8EqLi.
Casey Sclar
New Director Casey Sclar
Parking
Visitor parking is available in the Lewis Katz Building lot, just across Bigler Road from the former Arboretum lot. Parking fees apply. Visitors may download the ParkMobile app or visit ParkMobile’s Penn State site to learn more. Parking fees apply 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Additional details are available on our Visitor Information page.
Summer 2023 Internships
Fourteen-week Arboretum internships in summer 2023 have been announced! Full-time and part-time positions are available at $14/hour. Four types of internships are being offered. Use these REQ numbers to locate our internships on the Penn State Careers website at hr.psu.edu/careers: Horticulture (REQ_0000038461); Childhood’s Gate Children’s Garden (REQ_0000037830); Avian Education (REQ_0000038020); Plant Records (REQ_0000037543).
Gerhold Wildflower Trail Volunteer Sessions
The Arboretum is working to bring native wildflowers back to Hartley Wood! Come give us the gift of your time and effort to restore our natural lands. Work may include planting native plants, removing invasive plants, and general maintenance. Work sessions will be held from 9:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. on the following dates:
Saturday, March 18
Saturday, March 25
Saturday, April 1
Saturday, April 8
Sunday, April 16
Saturday, April 22
You can register at https://bit.ly/WildflowerTrail. Contact Rebecca Horwitt at ruh212@psu.edu with questions or concerns. Alternative dates and times may be available by appointment.
Pollinator and Bird Garden: Combining Education and Research
Pathway in Pollinator and Bird Garden
View a short video about this garden.
The Arboretum’s Pollinator and Bird Garden, which opened in July 2021, is unique in its ambitious design and intent: to educate the public about the many insect pollinator species and both resident and migratory birds in our region, and research ways to protect the ecosystems that support these species. The planting design showcases over 390 unique plant species and varieties—most of which are native to Pennsylvania or the greater Appalachian region. Read more about this garden.
Visiting the Arboretum – COVID-19 Safety Requirements
The H.O. Smith Botanic Gardens may be visited from dawn until dusk. Arboretum visitors must follow University COVID-19 safety requirements. By attending or participating in Arboretum programs, events, or activities, visitors agree to adhere to Penn State’s guidance and policies, acknowledge the risk of being exposed to or infected by COVID-19, and assume any and all such risk.
COVID Acknowledgment Policy Statement
“Garden Wonderings” Videos Garden Wonderings is an informal educational video series that we have put together during the COVID-19 pandemic to entertain and inform the public during these unusual times. You can access the playlist of all Arboretum educational videos at https://tinyurl.com/yywegr7f.
2022 Summer Arboretum Newsletter
Featured at the top of the page are robins enjoying the fruit of native sumac (Rhus typhina) on a snowy day in Childhood’s Gate Children’s Garden
