When the University of Washington's Center for Urban Horticulture was firebombed four years ago, the devastation was not limited to the research and teaching that went on at Merrill Hall.

Many community members far beyond the UW responded because they have a strong connection to the center and its related areas through its educational outreach programs. Recently, the rebuilt center was reopened and organ-ized under the umbrella University of Washington Botanic Gardens, which also includes Washington Park Arboretum, the Elisabeth C. Miller Library, the Otis Hyde Herbarium and Union Bay Natural Area.

Many gardeners know the "Plant Answer Line" number by heart (206-UW-PLANT). More than 70,000 people visit the Center for Urban Horticulture annually and another 250,000 visit the arboretum, which also is supported by the city of Seattle and the Arboretum Foundation. About 11,000 people participate in education programs each year.

To casual passers-by, the area is the region's garden, a place to enjoy briefly through the windshield from Highway 520 or to savor during a walk or kayak ride.

Merrill Hall, which was targeted by ecoterrorists who erroneously thought a researcher was genetically engineering poplar trees, was rebuilt thanks to contributions from the university, the state and many donors.

The UW Botanic Gardens is only one example of the myriad ways the University of Washington contributes to our community and region.

The university needs help to ensure that the quality of its many programs continues and improves. In October, the UW Foundation launched the public portion of its $2 billion Creating Futures fund-raising campaign to shore up the university across its many colleges, departments, research programs and instructional missions. As of May 31, $1.37 billion has been raised.

The UW is an excellent investment. For information about the UW and the campaign, go to www.uwfoundation.org