The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a program for the development of a Hall of Environmental Education at the Arboretum. The Arboretum foundation has pledged $500,000 to the total $1,295,000 bill. There is no timetable for the work, but it will take approximately 2 or 3 years.
The jungle area of the Arboretum is being restored with a $250,000 grant. The jungle has been badly damaged due to heavy use and a fire. It is being restored as a prehistoric jungle garden.
The possibility of a fee for admission to both the Arboretum and Descanso Gardens is being considered by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. At a hearing, Hal Roach, a member of the Board of Governors expressed the hope that the Supervisors would not resort to charging a fee. The fee would NOT be used to keep up the Arboretum, but would go into the County General Fund.
Nine visitors to the Arboretum were injured when a large eucalyptus branch fell on them. They were taken to Arcadia Methodist Hospital where all but two were treated and released. The more seriously injured had a broken right arm and spinal damage.
Enormous cut backs, reduced operating hours, and admission fees are all being contemplated as solutions to keeping the Arboretum going in the face of Proposition 13 caused revenue losses.
The Arboretum has been awarded a $25,000 grant from the Institute of Museum Services. The money will be used for a computerized system to inventory and store information on the Arboretum's plant collection.
The Atlantic Richfield Company has contributed $25,000 to the Arboretum to ensure resumption of several programs cut with the passage of Proposition 13.
The Les Brown Band of Renown will perform at the annual Picnic Concert at the Arboretum. Brown is back by popular demand due to the overwhelming success of last year's concert.
Atlantic Richfield Corporation has contributed $50,000 toward the building of the planned Hall of Environmental Education at the Arboretum. The contribution is in addition to a recent $25,000 ARCO grant to support ongoing programs.
The Arboretum was awarded a $25,000 emergency grant from the Institute of Museum Services. The funds will be used to repair the damage that occurred during a windstorm in February.
The new Hall of Environmental Education at the Arboretum has been completed and will open to the public shortly. The 8,000 sq. ft. auditorium in the new building accommodates nearly 1,000 people. It will be used for exhibits, classes and shows.
Article describes two June events: a wine and cheese social and a continental breakfast. The history of the founding of the Arboretum, now celebrating its 33rd year, is reviewed.
Article discusses severe budget and staff cuts at the Arboretum. Since 1975 the staff has been cut by 40 percent. The most recent county budget cut another $250,000 from the department.
Suzanne Gilstrap, who was paralyzed for life when a 20-foot-long tree limb fell on her at the Los Angeles County Arboretum on July 25, 1977, has won a $1,625,000 settlement from the County. Miss Gilstrap, now 16, has appeared as a paraplegic in a recent television movie, "Skyward," with Bette Davis.