Wise Nurseries Donates $92,000 to ‘Green’ Georgia Southern University’s Campus

February 18, 2009

Wise Nurseries, located in Statesboro, Ga., has donated more than 8,600 perennials, shrubs and trees worth $92,000 to Georgia Southern University.? The gift represents the largest single gift of plants to ‘green” the campus.?

Wise Nurseries’ gift includes 8,659 perennials, shrubs and trees.? Working with the University’s landscape architect, the University’s grounds crew is planting the new plants at carefully selected locations throughout the nearly 700 acre campus.

‘We are extremely appreciative of Wise Nurseries’ gift to Georgia Southern University,” said Billy Griffis, vice president of University Advancement.? ‘This gift will further improve the beauty of our campus for not only current students, but future generations.? This gift is particularly meaningful because it will be enjoyed by everyone who visits campus.”

‘Georgia Southern University has one of the most beautiful college campuses in the country and we have had an outstanding relationship with the institution and its faculty, staff and students have supported us for many years,” said Matthew Wise, owner of Wise Nurseries.? ‘We are proud to support Georgia Southern University and we are particularly pleased that we could contribute to improving the campus with these plants.”

The gift is especially timely as the University continues to develop its master plan with the goal of making Georgia Southern one of the most welcoming campuses in the country.? Georgia Southern’s landscape design features a variety of native trees and shrubs, but also includes a variety of plants from around the state of Georgia and the Southeast.?

Wise Nurseries has provided plants for numerous projects at Georgia Southern University including the landscaping for the front gates of the University, the Zach S. Henderson Library, University Housing projects, the recent expansion of The Center for Wildlife Education and the Lamar Q. Ball, Jr. Raptor Center along with numerous others. In addition to his business relationship with Georgia Southern, Wise’s wife Michelle Wise is a 2001 graduate of the University with a degree in Exercise Science and Kinesiology.

Wise Nurseries opened in January 1996 and today is one of the area’s leading providers of plant material to both retail and wholesale markets.? Wise has provided plants for both residential and commercial projects including shopping centers, apartment complexes and shopping centers. In addition to its wholesale business, Wise Nurseries operates a full nursery and retail Garden Center in Statesboro and has worked on major projects including the Industrial Parkway/Bass Pro Shop in Macon.? For more information on Wise Nurseries, visit: www.wisenurseries.com.?

Georgia Southern University, a Carnegie Doctoral/Research University, offers 116 degree programs serving nearly 18,000 students. Through eight colleges, the University offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs built on more than a century of academic achievement. The University, one of Georgia’s largest, is a top choice of Georgia’s HOPE scholars and is recognized for its student-centered approach to education.? Visit: www.georgiasouthern.edu.