It all started when…

The Draves Arboretum began as a personal collection of Thomas Draves, ISA Certified Arborist and tree enthusiast, and family, and grew as he added tree and shrub species to the twenty acre property to test viability in the region both for his own edification, as well as green industry professionals, clients, and anyone interested in broadening their knowledge base in woody plant species.  As word traveled of the collection and groups began asking for tours, the collection began to gain regional notoriety. Statewide green industry associations and higher educational programs requested that Mr. Draves teach plant identification classes utilizing the collection, and it quickly became a learning hub for green industry professionals to broaden their knowledge base in arboriculture and woody plant identification. Additional plants were added to the collection for these educational seminars. 

As time passed, industry leaders such as Keith Warren, Tim Brotzman, Chris Luley and Michael Dirr visited and/or discussed the collection, and concluded there was no other collection of this size and variety in the region, and steps should be taken to preserve it for future generations to enjoy. 

In 2018, Draves Arboretum formed a board of directors with committee chairpersons and formed the Arboretum into a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit, becoming Provisionally Chartered by the Regents of the University of the State of New York and incorporated under the New York State Education Law. The Arboretum was also accredited by Arbnet in 2018: an accreditation program facilitated by the Morton Arboretum. The ArbNet program offers four levels of accreditation and the Draves Arboretum initially received  Level II accreditation. 

Through the diligent efforts of the board of directors the Arboretum applied for and received Level III accreditation in 2019, one of only thirty arboreta and botanical gardens worldwide. An educational facility, The Richards Complex, was added to the arboretum to provide a professional indoor classroom to accommodate the demand for expanded professional course offerings. Garden clubs from all regions hold meetings at the facility and attend tours, as well as other organized groups and member-based associations. 

In 2021 Barbara Evans took on the painstaking task of processing the paperwork of the American Conifer Society to have Draves Arboretum to be designated as one of their eastern regions Reference Gardens. In the fall of that year we received the designation of American Conifer Society Reference Garden.

The Arboretum participates with Niagara County Community College offering a plant identification course which is required for students enrolled in the horticulture program. Finger Lakes and Alfred State Colleges have also utilized the arboretum as a teaching tool for courses offered through their institutions. Additionally, the arboretum has provided educational venues for municipalities in all aspects of arboriculture including but not limited to the proper care, selection and pruning of trees. The arboretum offers the community a place to relax and enjoy nature by immersing in its large palette of trees and shrubs from around the world. Draves Arboretum continually educates the community through its social media program via Facebook, Instagram and their website.