A seasoned professional with a rich background in finance and investment, Robert S. Castellini serves as the managing director of investments at a financial institution in Cincinnati, Ohio. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Robert S. Castellini is deeply committed to philanthropy and his community. As an active member of the Cincinnati region, he devotes his time and expertise to organizations such as the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Gardens.

On July 11, 2023, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden announced on its website that it had received a level IV arboretum designation from The Arbnet Arboretum Accreditation Program. Arbnet established its Arboretum Accreditation Program to promote the implementation of research-backed industry standards in arboreta worldwide.

An arboretum is a botanical garden that cultivates trees and woody plants for educational, scientific, recreational, or conservation purposes. Arbnet’s level IV award showcases a botanical garden that completely satisfies industry best practice criteria, including conservative activities and partnerships with other entities to promote and reinforce plant diversity. As of July 2023, there are 2340 recognized arboreta worldwide, and only 41 of them (including Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden) have earned the level IV designation.

The arboretum at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden contains more than 3000 plant species and varieties, including shade trees and groundcovers. Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden has developed its Zoo’s Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife (CREW) to propagate endangered plants and trees. Accredited endangered plant experts supervise this program.

To promote conservation efforts and public education, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden also developed a mini-botanical garden on the campus of Rockdale Academy, an elementary school two blocks from the zoo. The Plant for Pollinators program at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden inspired over 3,000 people to plant pollinator gardens. Pollinator gardens help conserve the population of natural pollinators, such as bees and butterflies.