The Auburn University College of Sciences and Mathematics will sponsor a "Night in New Orleans" Saturday at 6 p.m. benefiting the Donald E. Davis Arboretum.
The event includes a dinner of traditional New Orleans cuisine, jazz music and a silent auction.
For almost 50 years the arboretum has provided a setting on campus for quiet reflection and relaxation, as well as education and research on ecosystem preservation and diversity.
The arboretum has played a part in hands-on education for thousands of students from kindergarten through college.
"The arboretum is a 14-acre facility, and it is a collection of Southeastern plants that are used for display, study and research," said Dee Smith, the arboretum's curator.
Smith said prior to the event the arboretum's staff will be giving tours of the various ecosystems housed within.
"We have quite a few collections of specific genera of plants," Smith said. "We have a collection of oaks that has been nationally recognized."
Kim McCurdy, event coordinator, said the night will exclusively promote the Donald E. Davis Arboretum.
"It's really a lot more about the arboretum instead of Auburn University because although it's a part of Auburn University, the arboretum services so many people in the state," McCurdy said. "We have groups come here from counties away."
Smith said the event was initially going to be held at another venue, but she and McCurdy believed hosting it at the arboretum would be an excellent way for people to better understand how their donations will be used.
"It gets the people there to visit the arboretum to see what's going on," Smith said. "It will get people in there to see what kind of progress is being made and what our needs are."
Smith said those needs include an indoor facility, as well as some outdoor lighting.
"It is not unusual to have to cancel a program because of the weather, and we don't even get to plan anything when it's too cold, or when it's real hot," Smith said. "So it would be wonderful to have an actual indoor classroom facility."
McCurdy said this is the first fundraiser the arboretum has planned and that graduates of the various colleges and members of the Auburn community have been invited to attend.
"We invited COSAM graduates in the area, as well as our leadership council," McCurdy said.
"The leadership council is a group of alumni and friends that support the college with their time as well as their finances, and they work very closely with the interim dean of COSAM, Chuck Savrda."
McCurdy said although the event is not student-led, they have numerous volunteers from COSAM helping with preparations.
"The COSAM leaders are our student ambassador group," McCurdy said. "The COSAM SGA has spent a number of hours at the arboretum and they have helped prepare the grounds for the event."
Tammy Hartwell, director of development for COSAM, said she loves representing something she believes is beneficial for the Auburn community.
"The arboretum is a wonderful community resource," Hartwell said. "I am glad to be a part of the 'Night in New Orleans' event to raise money for the arboretum."
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