Lara Mathes devoted her life’s work to shaping vibrant, welcoming spaces—both in the Athens-Clarke County community and on the University of Georgia campus. Her passion for thoughtful planning and her deep love for the natural beauty of UGA live on in every tree-lined path and gathering place she helped bring to life.

To honor Lara’s enduring legacy, we invite you to make a gift to the UGA Campus Arboretum Operational Fund. Your contribution will support the continued growth, care, and visibility of the Arboretum—one of the many places where Lara’s vision continues to bloom.

Our collective goal is to raise over $1,000 to dedicate an engraved tribute to Lara at the D.W. Brooks Mall Arboretum Memorial granite circle. This lasting marker will serve as a quiet, beautiful reminder of the difference one person can make in the life of a community.