Scheuren Applauds Althouse Arboretum for Environmental Excellence Award

June 12, 2025

HARRISBURG – Rep. Donna Scheuren (R-Montgomery) today wants to congratulate the Althouse Arboretum, located in Upper Pottsgrove Township, for being recognized as one of the winners of the 2025 Governor’s Awards for Environmental Excellence. 

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is honoring 19 projects completed by schools, businesses and community organizations around the state with 2025 Governor’s Awards for Environmental Excellence.

The Althouse Arboretum is a student-led outdoor education center. In 2024, it saw over 17,000 visitors who engaged in programming led exclusively by a team of high school students from five surrounding school districts. Students were responsible for everything, including writing curriculum for a summer nature camp program and hosting community events. 

“I want to extend my congratulations to all those who work at the Althouse Arboretum for being recognized in this way,” said Scheuren.

“This student led organization has done incredible work for the environment and the Upper Pottsgrove community, and they have duly earned this award through the efforts they put in day after day.” 

On the lands of the Althouse Arboretum, students have planted over 100 native trees, along with introducing over 50 varieties of native wildflowers and other plants onto the property and into their natural habitats. The arboretum ran a variety of sustainability programs in 2024, including a community recycling day, which resulted in a collection of 21 tons of electronics, appliances and scrap metal from the 426 vehicles that participated. Students also collected 78 bicycles, which were then refurbished and donated to underserved families.


Representative Donna Scheuren
147th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Joe Szymanski
jszymanski@pahousegop.com
RepScheuren.com / Facebook.com/RepScheuren/