Arboretum at Troy University receives $162,266 grant | News

Troy University recently received a $162,266 grant from the Southeast Crescent Regional Commission (SCRC) for its arboretum. 

Arboretum director and biology professor Dr. Alvin Diamond said that the majority of the funds will be used to restore the Hickory Loop Nature Trail. 

“The only options we have to get to that area are to climb down the bank of the creek, step across the creek and then climb up the bank on the other side—which is not convenient—or to walk down Pell Avenue to the corner and go in there,” he said. “But that’s not a good option either because of speeding and traffic. And now that we’ve got the all-terrain wheelchair, we want to install bridges and boardwalks to everyone can get across to these new trails.”

Additions include the installation of a wildlife viewing area, informational signs and updates to the pitcher plant bog and rain garden, as well as benches and waste bins on the trails. 

An announcement from Troy said that the grant was the largest arboretum has received since since 2022. 

“We’re grateful to the Southeast Crescent Regional Commission for the support we’ve received in our goal of not just restoring the arboretum to its former glory, but in making it better and more accessible than it was before,” Diamond said. “With this grant, we’re one step closer to making that goal a reality.”