Donate & Support
Arboretum Friends
Arboretum Friends are everyone who contributes to The Arboretum, whether donors or volunteers.
The Arboretum relies on the generous support of volunteers, donors and everyone who values this special place in the heart of UK and Lexington, Kentucky.
Your support enables us to care for and improve our plant collections, provide educational programming for all ages and plan for the future. Your gift truly makes a difference.
And to thank you for your support, you'll receive a variety of benefits, including discounts at gardens and facilities in Lexington and across the country!
All Arboretum Friends receive great benefits! Donors are recognized during the fiscal year in which their gift is made. Volunteers are recognized after the calendar year in which volunteer hours were contributed.
With a donation of $50 or more, or 15+ volunteer hours, you receive an Arboretum Friend Benefits Card, which provides:
- Free or discounted admission to over 330 member gardens throughout North America through the American Horticultural Society Reciprocal Admission Program
- Discounts at participating garden centers and nurseries in Central Kentucky* (see list below)
- 10% discount on items in The Arboretum Gift Shop**
- 10% discount on season membership to the Kentucky Children's Garden**
- Free 1-year subscription to Better Homes & Gardens magazine through the American Public Gardens Association
Current merchant discounts:
- Bi-Water Farm & Greenhouses
- Glynn Young's Landscaping & Nursery
- Kings Gardens
- Louis Flower Power Shops
- Michler's Florist & Greenhouses
- Pemberton's Greenhouses
- Redmond's Garden & Landscaping
- Springhouse Gardens
- Wilson's Nurseries (Lexington and Frankfort)
*Merchant participation may change without notice.
**Must present current Arboretum Friend benefits card to receive discount.
Tree Tribute Program
Through The Arboretum’s Tribute Program, you can celebrate and honor important people and events:
- Tree Planting in WAKY (targeted species only): $10,000
- Tree Dedication: $6,000 for the life of the tree
- Tree Sponsorship: $1,500 for five years
- Trees Associated with Visitor Center Project: $25,000
Support the Visitor Center Fund
Make a donation to support Phase II of the Dorotha Smith Oatts Visitor Center project.
Support Us
Volunteer at The Arboretum
Check out available volunteer opportunities at The Arboretum.
Volunteer with UsFriends Representatives
Two Arboretum Friends will serve on The Arboretum Advisory Board for two-year terms. Congratulations to Kent Barker and Zinnah Caluag on being elected for 2023-25!
Kent Barker
I want to represent Arboretum Friends on The Arboretum Advisory Board because I have a strong interest in The Arboretum and what it means to our community. I have served on the Advisory Board for the past three years and was a member of the Board of Directors of the Friends of The Arboretum. I retired as a market manager for Parker Hannifin in January 2014 and have a B.S. in Business Management. I also volunteer with Lexington’s Sister Cities program and am the co-chair of our engagement with (Sister City) Newmarket, England. I also volunteer with VisitLex to promote Lexington and its many visitor opportunities and attractions (including The Arboretum) and with the Lexington Opera House. In my spare time, I enjoy taking Horticulture classes.
Zinnah Caluag
I want to represent Arboretum Friends on The Arboretum Advisory Board because I am a longtime supporter of The Arboretum and want to continue to serve. I have served on the Advisory Board for the past three years and was a member of the Board of Directors of the Friends of The Arboretum. I have an Associate Degree in Applied Science (AAS-HST, AA and AS) and am preparing for my B.S. in Organizational Leadership and Learning. I have worked for a local pharmaceutical company for over 20 years, and I am a volunteer service-dog-in-training handler/trainer. You may have seen me at The Arboretum with Basil and puppies from her litters (Noah, Nila and Yoko) as I help them prepare to work with individuals with physical challenges or with facilities such as a cancer center or children’s hospital.
