ArbNet is an international

arboretum An arboretum (: arboreta) is a botanical collection composed exclusively of trees and shrubs of a variety of species. Originally mostly created as a section in a larger garden or park for specimens of mostly non-local species, many modern arbor ...

accreditation Accreditation is the independent, third-party evaluation of a conformity assessment body (such as certification body, inspection body or laboratory) against recognised standards, conveying formal demonstration of its impartiality and competence to ...

and networking program. The ArbNet program is supported and coordinated through The Morton Arboretum, with partners American Public Gardens Association and

Botanic Gardens Conservation International Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) is a plant conservation biology, conservation Charitable organization, charity based in Kew, Surrey, England. It is a membership organisation, working with 800 botanic gardens in 118 countries, wh ...

. ArbNet was developed to set industry standards, foster partnerships and collaborations, and provide guidelines for professional development for

tree In botany, a tree is a perennial plant with an elongated stem, or trunk, usually supporting branches and leaves. In some usages, the definition of a tree may be narrower, e.g., including only woody plants with secondary growth, only ...

-focused gardens. Globally, over 150 arboreta have been accredited since 2011. There are four different levels of accreditation depending on the arboretum's stage of development, capacity, and potential for scientific and conservation-related collaboration. All levels require a strategic plan, a focus on woody species, public access, and participation in the ArbNet community. Level I arboreta achieve a basic level of accreditation whereas Level IV arboreta reach the highest level of arboretum standards.{{Cite news, url=http://www.stratfordbeaconherald.com/2015/07/28/five-acre-site-at-fryfogel-tavern-earns-accreditation-from-arbnet-program, title=Five-acre site at Fryfogel Tavern earns accreditation from ArbNet program, last=Wishart, first=Scott, date=July 28, 2015, work=Stratford Beacon Herald, access-date=June 5, 2016, archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160916041101/http://www.stratfordbeaconherald.com/2015/07/28/five-acre-site-at-fryfogel-tavern-earns-accreditation-from-arbnet-program, archive-date=September 16, 2016, url-status=dead

References

Arboreta Networks Accreditation Collaborative projects 2011 establishments in the United States