The
Mary Allen Lindsey Branan Foundation Donates $10,000
for AASU’s International Garden
Savannah, GA—March 4, 2004— The Mary Allen Lindsey Branan
Foundation, managed by Wachovia Wealth Management, has made a generous
donation in the amount of $10,000 to Armstrong Atlantic State University
(AASU). The gift will provide funding for the first phase of the
AASU International Garden, which will be located on the AASU campus.
Currently over 150 species of trees and over 300 species of shrubs
and other woody plants inhabit the 250-acre campus that was designated
as an arboretum in 2003.
"Wachovia, as trustee
for the Mary Allen Lindsey Branan Foundation, is pleased to show
its support for Armstrong Atlantic through the awarding of this
grant," said Beverly Blake, senior vice president of Wachovia
Charitable Services Group. "Combined with gifts from others,
the new International Garden will enhance the campus and the learning
environment at the university."
The AASU International Garden, located in the 37,500 square foot
area between newly renovated Solms and Hawes halls, will celebrate
the diversity of the world’s flora. The International Garden
will consist of five plazas representing the continents of Africa,
Asia, Australia, Europe, and South America. Trees, shrubs, and ornamentals
native to each continent and adapted to our climate will surround
each plaza. Flora important to native cultures will be emphasized.
"Armstrong Atlantic is grateful to the Branan Foundation and
Wachovia Wealth Management for investing in the future of our university,"
said Thomas Z. Jones, president of AASU. "The International
Garden will be a gathering place for the Armstrong Atlantic community
and will encourage school children and community organizations to
visit the arboretum to learn about the cultural, economic, and historical
importance of plants from around the world.
The new garden will provide outdoor meeting spaces and offer places
for solitude and quiet reflection. Designed as a walking garden,
it will feature winding walkways connecting each of the separate
gardens, benches, decorative lighting, and fountains and other water
features in each of the plazas. The garden will have access to electricity
for outdoor events and concerts. Brick walkways and an AASU Compass
Rose, the university's logo, are already in place at the south entrance
of the garden.
The European Plaza will be the focal point of the International
Garden, and will be completed during its first phase. Designed as
a Victorian-era garden, it will be the largest plaza at 1,000 square
feet. A tiered amphitheater with seating for 150 will be situated
opposite an 18-foot gazebo, the centerpiece of the plaza. The European
Plaza will be completed by fall of 2004.
Future plazas will include the African Plaza featuring a Moroccan-style
fountain, date palms, and a variety of olive and other plants native
to the Mediterranean and Africa. The Asian Plaza will encompass
a tea house, a small, three-sided structure with seating, as well
as stone lanterns and square stepping stones. It will feature the
richest variety and number of plants because plants from Asia grow
well in our region. The Australian and South American plazas will
have a focus on a wide-variety of plants that tell the history of
these continents.
AASU is still accepting donations for the Arboretum. Engraved pavers
will be placed at the International Garden and are available for
purchase. Anyone who would like to make a donation should make a
check payable to the AASU Foundation for The AASU Arboretum. Checks
can be sent to the Office of External Affairs at 11935 Abercorn
Street, Savannah, GA 31419.For more information, contact Gail Rountree
at 912.927.5208.
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The AASU Arboretum currently
features several collections, such as the "Ginger Collection"
with a focus on plants belonging to the ginger family;"The
Fern Collection," featuring 23 varieties of native and non-native
ferns; and "The White Garden," a collection of plants
with white flowers or white variegated foliage. Several other collections
are being planted, including a "Primitive Garden," "Native
Flora Garden," "Camellia Species Collection," and
a "Physic Garden."
The AASU Arboretum provides
educational ours for garden clubs, school groups, and interested
citizens. To make arrangements for a tour, contact Philip Schretter
at 912.927.5329. Visit the website at www.arboretum.armstrong.edu
for additional information.
