Lockerly Arboretum in Milledgeville, GA has been upgraded to a Level III Accreditation by The ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program and The Morton Arboretum, for achieving particular standards of professional practices deemed important for arboreta and botanic gardens. The ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program is the only global initiative to officially recognize arboreta at various levels of development, capacity, and professionalism. In addition to the recent upgrade, Lockerly Arboretum is also recognized as an accredited arboretum in the Morton Register of Arboreta, a database of the world’s arboreta and gardens dedicated to woody plants.

The mission of Lockerly Arboretum is to inspire an understanding and appreciation of horticulture, nature and heritage.  Level II accreditation was achieved by Lockerly in 2017.  The recognition and trust that comes with Level II accreditation allowed Lockerly to pursue an active agenda related to tree science, strategic planting, and conservation.  This agenda included a partnership with North Dakota State University on their poplar hybrid research project as well as a partnership with professors from Georgia College and State University, researching biodiversity, soil chemistry, plant anatomy and morphology.