HISTORY

History of the Friends of NHC Arboretum

The Friends of the New Hanover County Arboretum (i.e. The Friends) was created as a non-profit, 501 c (3) fund raising organization in 1986. Since then it has provided financial support to the New Hanover County Arboretum for the maintenance of its gardens and their improvement. Over the years it has also supported special projects like the creation of the Contemplation Garden and the improvements to the Children's Garden (which will be completed this year). It also supports the educational programs of Extension.

Our major fundraiser each year is the Art in the Arboretum Show and Sale. We will be holding the 27th annual show in 2022. Come grow with us! Friends of the Arboretum will help assure the Arboretum’s continuing development and preservation.

How Did the Tree Sale Program Begin?

Over the course of time the Arboretum has partnered with UNCW and its internship program to provide a variety of services to assist organizations that support the Arboretum (i.e., The Friends of the New Hanover County Arboretum, Inc. and the Extension Master Gardeners Volunteer Association). These services include creative writing and computer sciences.

In late summer (2021) Ember Rice (UNCW student in the creative writing department) interviewed Carolyn Thomas, current President of the Friends, regarding her role in the creation of the BeFriend a Tree Sale program (which began in 2019). A script of that interview is provided here to offer an insight into the history of this program.

Click here for the script.

"Friends of the New Hanover County Arboretum" is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

6206 Oleander Drive, Wilmington, North Carolina 28403

910-798-7660