FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 16, 2026
(BOYCE, Va) - For 100 years, Blandy Experimental Farm, home of the State Arboretum of Virginia, has inspired generations of visitors through scientific research, environmental education, and the beauty of its living landscape. Blandy is celebrating the historic milestone of Graham Blandy’s 1926 land bequest to the University of Virginia, and UVA’s acceptance of the property in 1927. Blandy Experimental Farm is operated by the Department of Environmental Science and is also Virginia’s only state designated Arboretum. As the Arboretum celebrates its centennial, the affiliated non-profit Foundation of the State Arboretum (FOSA) is launching a Centennial Endowment Campaign to help ensure that this remarkable resource continues to serve Virginia for the next century.
"This centennial is an opportunity to invest in our future,” said Anne Marie Chirieleison, Director of the Foundation, “The trees that define Blandy today were planted by people who believed in a future they would never see. Through the Centennial Endowment Campaign, today's supporters can make the same lasting investment for future generations."
Unlike annual gifts that support current operations and programs, gifts to the Centennial Endowment Campaign will establish a permanent unrestricted endowment. Earnings from the endowment will provide long-term support for scientific research, environmental education, conservation, stewardship of the Arboretum's living collections, and the preservation of this treasured public landscape.
Each year, Blandy serves thousands of visitors through educational programs, research initiatives, volunteer opportunities, public events, and self-guided exploration. From schoolchildren discovering ecology for the first time to gardeners learning sustainable practices, the Arboretum connects people with the natural world while advancing the science needed to build healthier landscapes across Virginia.
"The impact of Blandy extends far beyond its borders," said Mary Olien, President of the Foundation’s Board of Directors, "Every person who plants a native tree in our Community Forest, visits our native bee habitat, or learns to care for the environment carries that knowledge back into their own community. Supporting the Centennial is an investment in healthier landscapes throughout Virginia."
As FOSA looks ahead, the Centennial is a reminder that the landscapes we enjoy today were shaped by those who came before us, and that our actions today will shape the experiences of generations yet to come. With help from early donors, FOSA is close to achieving Phase 1 of the campaign, $100,000 to seed the endowment.
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Blandy Experimental Farm Celebrates 100 Years – Page 2
For more information about the Centennial Endowment Campaign or ways to support Blandy Experimental Farm, visit blandy.virginia.edu/centennial-campaign
About Blandy Experimental Farm
Blandy Experimental Farm is a 712-acre University of Virginia biological field station and home of the State Arboretum of Virginia.in Clarke County, Virginia. The purpose of Blandy is to increase the understanding of the natural environment through research and education. Blandy is also home to the State Arboretum of Virginia, which occupies the central 172-acres of Blandy. Blandy is open from dawn to dusk, 365 days a year and includes walking trails, self-guided tours, gardens, a Native Plant Trail and more. www.blandy.virginia.edu
About the Foundation of the State Arboretum
The Foundation of the State Arboretum is a 501c3 dedicated to goals of Blandy Experimental Farm. Through scientific research, environmental education, and public engagement, FOSA inspires Virginians to create healthy landscapes by supporting scientific exploration and fostering a deeper understanding of the natural world.
Contact: Anne Marie Chirieleison
Director, Foundation of the State Arboretum
ugj5vs@virginia.edu
434-243-3363
