New York Institute of Technology Sustainable Landscape Design Blossoms Into New Nationally Registered Arboretum

Old Westbury, N.Y., Oct. 22, 2007: With its new nationally registered arboretum, New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) is now a member of the American Public Gardens Association, a professional organization that supports the public horticulture community and is committed to the display, education, research, and plant conservation of public gardens throughout North America.

The arboretum, part of the NYIT Old Westbury, N.Y., campus, displays a collection of trees and a variety of annual and perennial plants that are native to Long Island. Last spring, nearly 30 new species of trees, shrubs, flowering plants, groundcovers, and ferns were added to enhance existing vegetation on either side of a pathway that connects the academic quad and Gerry Hall, which houses NYIT’s Office of Admissions. Infrastructure upgrades included the installation of benches, horticultural signage, and walkway improvements. The start of NYIT’s Path of Achievement, a pathway of personalized engraved bricks commemorating loved ones and accomplishments, runs along the east side of the arboretum.New York State Senator Carl L. Marcellino was instrumental in sponsoring and securing a $150,000 grant that was administered by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation to NYIT to help fund the landscaping project. 

“With its vast woodlands and meadows, NYIT’s Old Westbury campus has always been known for its beautiful natural vegetation and existing landscape design dating to the property’s origins as a Gold Coast estate,” said NYIT President Edward Guiliano, Ph.D. “The establishment of the arboretum allows NYIT to strengthen our commitment to environmentalism and sustainability. The generous assistance of Senator Marcellino and the grant we received enabled us to make improvements to enhance our students’ surroundings.”

Landscape architectural design was prepared by Vollmer Associates and planting was done by Brett Landscaping, Inc., who won the project bid.

About NYIT
NYIT is the college of choice for more than 15,000 students enrolled in more than 100 specialized courses of study leading to undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees in academic areas such as architecture and design; arts and sciences; education; engineering and computing sciences; health professions, behavioral, and life sciences; management; and osteopathic medicine. As a private, nonprofit, independent institution of higher learning, NYIT embraces an educational philosophy of career-oriented professional education for all qualified students and supports applications-oriented research to benefit the greater global community. Students attend classes at NYIT’s campuses in Manhattan and Long Island, as well as online and in a number of programs throughout the world. To date, more than 73,000 alumni have earned degrees at NYIT. For more information, visit http://www.nyit.edu/.

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