D.A. Murphy Panhandle Arboretum 

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1. Main Sign Area: Add colorful native perennials and additional grass species to the main sign area at the entrance to the Arboretum.

2. Bird Attraction Area: Develop a bird habitat area in the northeast corner of the Arboretum where several large Siberian elm trees were recently removed. Trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants should be carefully chosen to attract a wide variety of bird species. Feeding stations and an open water area may be necessary for attracting birds throughout the winter. Associated viewing areas should also be included and properly landscaped.

3. Bank Stabilization: A bank stabilization project should be considered along the canal near the turf grass and iris demonstration areas where past native grass plantings have failed. Alternative construction techniques and/or plant material solutions should be considered.

4. Improvements to the north and west sides of the Research and Extension Center. Landscape improvements here could have dramatic visual and functional effects on the building and would greatly expand the Arboretum’s collection and display potential. With modification, previous Arboretum design plans may still be appropriate for these areas. Ideas to consider include: 
• A single plan should be developed for both the north and west sides to improve the visual and functional continuity of the landscape. 
• Plants should be used to screen existing mechanical systems in the north courtyard. 
• Because of the shade and wind protection offered by the building, this area could become a comfortable and popular space during the hot summer months. 
• The existing blue spruce windbreak on the west side should be enhanced and used as a defining landscape element. Additional tree and shrub plantings would soften the lineal nature of the windbreak. Less common evergreen trees such as limber pine (Pinus flexilis), eastern white pine (Pinus strobus), southwestern white pine (Pinus strobiformus), Black Hills spruce (Picea glauca var. densata), Serbian spruce (Picea omorika), douglasfir (Pseudotsuga menziessii), concolor fir (Abies concolor), and additional blue spruce cultivars, among others, could become a collection theme in this area.
• Recreational activities, including exercise stations and walking/jogging paths should be considered. 

5. Drainage-way Enhancements: The drainage-way adjacent to the parking lot south of the Extension Center could serve as a demonstration project including native grasses and wild flowers. 

6. Xeriscape Area Improvements: The Xeriscape area adjacent to the south parking lot could possibly be expanded along the adjacent drainage-way, or even incorporated into the lawn area just south of the building. 

7. Additional Plantings Along the Walkway to the State Office Building. The refined landscape quality of the Extension Center ends somewhat abruptly along the diagonal approach to the State Office Building. Low-maintenance plantings, established with drip irrigation, could be added to extend and enhance the canopy effect of the existing Austrian pines. Adding additional evergreen tree species and utilizing herbaceous trees and shrubs as specimens and accents would be a possible solution. 

8. Exercise Potentials: Incorporating an exercise circuit or other healthy lifestyle functions into the landscape could have several improvements including greater utilization of the landscape, added participation from the nursing college and healthier employees and visitors. Care should be taken to avoid constructing exercise stations that often go unused and can detract from the landscape. Walking, jogging and mental health activities will likely be the most successful. 

9. Re-alignment of the entry-drive, as proposed on previous landscape plans, should still be considered as a long-range goal. The re-alignment would result in a better entry-way sequence and be more conducive to additional landscape refinements. 

10. Additional Parking Lot Plantings: Landscape plantings to help screen and soften the parking lots should continue. 

11. Continued Displacement of Turf-Grass Areas: Displacing turf with landscape plantings, where appropriate, should continue. 

12. Re-Occurring Landscape Pockets: Small landscape areas, possibly anchored to sign areas and other site features, could be a common theme throughout the display. These areas should be small - less than 200 square feet total - and should repeat both shrub and perennial plants throughout.

13. Perennial Garden: Because perennials are gaining in popularity with homeowners throughout Nebraska, a large perennial garden could be considered for both display of proven plants as well as testing of potential plants.