HARRISONBURG, VA (Rocktown Now) — James Madison University’s (JMU) Edith J. Carrier Arboretum has received a $163,410 Storm Smart Chesapeake grant from the Chesapeake Bay Trust to support reforestation, habitat restoration and watershed education tied to its ongoing expansion from 63 to more than 110 acres on JMU’s East Campus. 

According to JMU officials, the grant will fund the planting of approximately 1,500 native trees and several hundred native shrubs beginning in fall 2026, helping establish a restoration effort that improves water quality, enhances biodiversity, and expands hands-on learning opportunities for students. 

“This expansion is not simply about adding land,” said Arboretum Director Katie Rankin. “It’s about reimagining how a university landscape can support learning, wellness, sustainability, research, and community engagement, all in one place.” 

Rankin said the project will also deliver many environmental benefits, including reduced nutrient runoff to the Chesapeake Bay watershed, improved stormwater management, and enhanced wildlife habitat. Over time, nearly 1,500 new trees could intercept more than 1.5 million gallons of rainfall annually. 

“This is a place where people don’t just come to learn about the world,” said Rankin. “They help improve it.”