January 30, 1998 Contact: Jennifer McNulty (408) 459-2495; jmcnulty@cats.ucsc.edu

UCSC ARBORETUM RECEIVES TWO GIFTS TOTALING $750,000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SANTA CRUZ, CA--Two longtime supporters of the UC Santa Cruz Arboretum who have recently given gifts totaling $750,000 will be honored at a private reception with Chancellor M.R.C. Greenwood on Saturday, January 31.

Santa Fe resident Elspeth Bobbs gave $500,000 to establish the Ray Collett Arboretum Endowment to help support the facility's general operating expenses. The campus and community have been challenged to match the gift, which honors Collett, founding director of the Arboretum.

A second gift to the Arboretum, made by Santa Cruz resident Barbara Shields in late December, has taken the campus halfway toward that matching goal. A lifelong gardening enthusiast and highly recognized watercolorist, Shields has established a charitable trust with a gift of $250,000, which will also support general operating expenses.

The premier botanical garden in the Monterey Bay Area, the UCSC Arboretum features an extensive collection of plants from Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, as well as a California native plant garden and the most complete collection of conifers in the world.

The gifts come at a time of transition for the Arboretum. Collett stepped down on January 1 after more than 30 years of service to the campus's botanical collection. He and dozens of volunteer supporters of the Arboretum will be honored at the reception on January 31 at Greenwood's campus home. Collett has been named the Arboretum's director emeritus and will retain his faculty position as professor of natural sciences. He will maintain an active teaching schedule.

"The Arboretum encompasses the wonderful collection that it does because of Ray Collett's foresight, skill, and hard work. He deserves our admiration and thanks for his many years of dedication," said Chancellor Greenwood. "These generous gifts will provide a tremendous boost to the Arboretum. I hope our dedicated Arboretum friends will help us meet Mrs. Bobbs's challenge."

Last week, Ron Enomoto was named interim director of the Arboretum, a post he will hold for 18 months. He will work with campus advisors, faculty, and Arboretum staff and volunteers to implement a transition plan for the Arboretum.

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