Matt Klein approximately 250 words
(585)-905-6701
INTD 105-19
The Geneseo Arboretum—A Blend of Two Worlds
By Matt Klein
As many high school students journey to Geneseo in their search for a college, Geneseo students and staff are quick to point out the natural beauty of the campus. It can be seen everywhere, from the Greek Tree and Seuss Spruce to the ivy-covered buildings. Perhaps the best example of this combination of nature and civilization is the Arboretum located to the south of campus. Though at a distance it simply seems to be a small forest, up close the care and attention given by Geneseo community pops into view. At the center of the Arboretum lies a gazebo, the most obvious integration between human presence and the surrounding environment. The gazebo is a simple wooden structure surrounded by flowers, yet the obvious care that has gone into its maintenance demonstrates the great love the community has for the trees.
Most surprising to me was the attention paid to the environment around the gazebo. The trees and bushes have been meticulously marked and identified by small tags. These tags, though practically insignificant compared to the surrounding beauty, make the Arboretum much more than just a collection of paths carved through a grove of trees. Each tree has been scrutinized and cared for, all the while retaining its natural splendor for the pleasure of observers. This makes the Arboretum an excellent example of the beauty that can result from the coexistence of nature and human influence.
