The University of New Mexico (UNM) has received Level I Arboretum accreditation from the ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program and The Morton Arboretum. This recognition makes UNM the only nationally accredited arboretum in New Mexico, highlighting its efforts in tree care, conservation, and education.
“Trees are central to UNM’s identity, from the iconic cottonwoods to our diverse collection of native and climate-ready species and species that are unusual for New Mexico,” said Shawna Wolfe, vice president for Institutional Support Services. “This accreditation affirms our leadership in environmental stewardship and our responsibility to maintain a thriving and resilient campus canopy for generations to come.”
UNM’s main campus covers 600 acres and contains 235 tree species. The university uses its grounds as an educational resource while also providing value to the community through tours, outreach programs, and demonstrations of sustainable landscaping.
To manage its tree population, UNM follows a Campus Tree Care Plan overseen by a Campus Tree & Arboretum Advisory Committee. Recent assessments determined that two large trees—a cottonwood and a ponderosa pine at U House—must be removed due to declining health and safety risks. The university plans to replace these trees with new plantings this fall as part of its commitment to maintaining at least a one-to-one replacement ratio. The focus will be on climate-ready species adapted to local conditions. Some new plantings will include fruit trees aimed at addressing food insecurity on campus by providing fresh produce.
Tree planting activities are also part of events like Fall Frenzy and Campus Cleanup Days during Earth Month, where students, faculty, and staff work together on sustainability initiatives.
Looking ahead, UNM is preparing a series of arboretum walking tours set to launch in spring 2026. Developed as a Community and Regional Planning Masters project by Richard Perce, these tours will cover topics such as campus history through its groves, climate-adapted tree species, notable specimens selected by university arborists—including dawn redwoods near Scholes Hall—and cultural uses of trees in the Americas. The tours will feature interactive maps and interpretive signage for participants.
