UIUC announces new division to oversee the Illinois Arboretum

Head of DPNS and Executive Director, Peterson will draw inspiration from the Arboretum's 2021 Master plan, focusing on improving iconic physical spaces, creating connections between those spaces, growing partnerships, and increasing communication with the community and donors. While many Arboretum activities will continue, Peterson explains that the community must be patient as the division navigates a new facility.

By Craig Ondevilla February 19, 2025 4:10 pm

Chambana TodayCanvaProHead of DPNS and Executive Director, Peterson will draw inspiration from the Arboretum's 2021 Master plan, focusing on improving iconic physical spaces, creating connections between those spaces, growing partnerships, and increasing communication with the community and donors. While many Arboretum activities will continue, Peterson explains that the community must be patient as the division navigates a new facility.

URBANA, IL (Chambana Today) – The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign announced a new division to oversee the Illinois Arboretum, Allerton Park and Retreat Center.

This new unit, the Division of Parks and Natural Spaces (DPNS), will be headed by the current Allerton Executive Director Derek Peterson. The DPNS will focus on conversation and community engagement. This also means the Arboretum will be back under campus management after 20 years of stewardship by the College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences. The Arboretum has been a great space for hands-on learning, research, and enjoy nature since 1989.

“Creating a new campus division to oversee Allerton and the Arboretum will allow for efficiencies in staffing, administration, operations, and equipment while continuing to make these tremendous assets accessible to ACES, the entire campus, and the larger community,” ACES Dean Germán Bollero said. “The college is incredibly grateful to Dr. McSweeney and the staff who have cared for the Arboretum for 20 years, but we are confident that Derek Peterson and DPNS will be excellent stewards of both properties going forward.”

Staff, student, interns, and volunteers with the Illinois Prairie Hosta Society have been strongly dedicated to Arboretum land stewardship.

“Donor support for Arboretum amenities and programs have been vital and include establishment of the Sesquicentennial Garden, the Santogrossi Council Ring and Walkway, and acquisition of a new dump truck and trailer,” said Kevin McSweeney, Clinical Professor in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences. “We also greatly appreciate our long-term partnerships with the Idea Garden, Japan House, and the Pollinatarium.”

Head of DPNS and Executive Director, Peterson will draw inspiration from the Arboretum’s 2021 Master plan, focusing on improving iconic physical spaces, creating connections between those spaces, growing partnerships, and increasing communication with the community and donors. While many Arboretum activities will continue, Peterson explains that the community must be patient as the division navigates a new facility.