The proposed Arboretum site presently has some unusual specimens for the area such as balsam fir and English walnut, and several old growth trees. The local Vocational Agricultural Program uses the campus to teach high school students tree and plant identification.
A Geographic Information Systems (GIS) map of the arboretum grounds and the field and maintenance area is in the process of being constructed. Dr. Monika Moskal's Digitalphotogrammetry and GIS (GRY552) class project began the work in Spring of 2005 followed by Dr. Michelle Bowe, co-curator of the Ozarks Herbarium and summer student intern Brandi Parsley identifying the trees and entering them into an Excel database to later be integrated into the GIS system ArcGIS. Jerry Weimer is in the process of integrating the GIS data with field measurements to create a map of the arboretum. The goal is to create a "virtual arboretum" similar to the one created for the main campus at Springfield (see http://biology.missouristate.edu/Herbarium/Arbtours.htm and http://ozarksgeography.missouristate.edu/centennial/CentennialTrees.htm ).
The grounds will be developed to include cultivated plant collections. We propose labeling the plant material for easy identification of trees and plants. A proposed walking trail will make the area accessible (and ADA compliant) to those participating in educational programs as well as students, faculty, staff and community members who want to engage in recreational walking and jogging. Proposed outdoor seating areas will offer further accommodation to students, visitors and the community.
For further information, contact:
Marilyn Odneal
417-547-7513
MarilynOdneal@missouristate.edu