History

Mount Pisgah Arboretum has a rich history and interesting evolution that continues today. Here is a brief listing of landmark events:

1969 - 1979

• Eugene Mayor appoints Committee to establish an international arboretum featuring trees from around the world.
• Governor McCall announces new state park, the Howard Buford Recreation Area (HBRA), a 2,363-acre, ecologically diverse tract on Coast Fork of Willamette River, to include an 118-acre Arboretum.
• Committee incorporates in 1973 as the International Arboretum Association (IAA) and leases land from state.
• First Tree Time newsletter published.
• Active management of the site begins, including clearing of weedy species, trail and bridge building, monthly work parties, and cooperation with local youth agencies.
• IAA changed in 1978 to Friends of Mount Pisgah Arboretum (FMPA).

1980 - 1984

• First paid staff hired.
• One mile Nature Trail finished with numbered stations.
• Free formal Outdoor Education Program emphasizing ecology begins in 1980 with 1,000 schoolchildren participating.
• First Spring Wildflower and Fall Mushroom Shows held (1981).
• River Trail built and dedicated to late Governor McCall with coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) planting.

1985 - 1987

• Patricia Baker Memorial Wildflower Garden (disabled-accessible) established.
• School children plant Ginkgo biloba during Arbor Week, starting an annual event.
• First educational displays constructed.
• Restrooms built.
• Species rhododendron garden begun.
• Entrance area information kiosk built.
• Visitor Center opens, staffed by volunteers.
• Education program, with 50 volunteers, reaches 2,000+ children.
• Lane County assumes HBRA and FMPA lease agreement from state.

1988 - 1989

• County contracts with FMPA for maintenance and supervision of Howard Buford Recreation Area.
• MPA business office opens in nearby Emerald People’s Utility District building.
• Handicapped accessible rest rooms completed.

1990 - 1993

• Outdoor education program increases by 25%.
• Master Plan, funded by grants from Meyer Memorial Trust, completed.

1994 - 1995

• First Executive Director hired.
• Education program adds fall session, offers a variety of seasonal curricula for returning classes, and serves 3,000 children.

1996 - 1997

• New 50-year lease expands Arboretum to 209-acres.
• Renovations to Visitor Center and barn started.
• 7+ miles of all-weather trails and 22 bridges completed.
• Parking lot plantings started.
• Redwood Grove enhanced, and So. Oregon and N. California species are acquired for future plantings.
• Waterways curricula added to Education Program.

1998 - 2000

• David Douglas Monument completed on South Boundary Trail.
• Fire burns 123 acres of Upper Bowl to summit of Mt. Pisgah.

2000 - 2003

• First Arbor Day Plant Sale held in April 2001.
• First extended workshops on gardening with native plants given.
• New, on-site office completed for use by Arboretum staff.
• 30th Anniversary of Arboretum celebrated.
• Campaign to replace Quonset Hut begun.