The Georgia Southern Botanical Garden is receiving a new name as part of its 25th anniversary year.
Effective Saturday, the garden will be known as the Garden of the Coastal Plain at Georgia Southern University.  The new name is designed to reflect the garden’s growing reputation as a popular destination for tourists, schools and more.
“This new name will help us as we pursue greater regional recognition,” said Carolyn Altman, the director of the garden. “The new name incorporates the garden’s mission, focusing on the natural and cultural features of the Southeastern coastal plain.”
Altman pointed out out that the name also clearly connects the garden to Georgia Southern.              “Including Georgia Southern University in the title clarifies and reinforces the important relationship between the Garden and the University, and introduces Georgia Southern as a University to people who may be unfamiliar with the growing institution.”
The garden is an 11-acre natural and historical site. It attracts thousands of visitors each year and offers a wide variety of gardens, trails, the Bland farmstead and the popular Weathervane Barn Exhibit.
One of the most recent additions to the garden has also become one of the most popular attractions for visitors of all ages, the Oak Grove One Room Schoolhouse. The authentic early 20th-century schoolhouse provides visitors with an opportunity to not only see how children were taught, but to experience lessons firsthand through creative programs designed to educate and entertain.
The garden is open to the public from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 1-4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free. In addition to its normal hours, the garden also offers rentals for special events, tours and other educational programming.
More information is available at www.georgiasouthern.edu/garden.