GAINESVILLE, Ga. (AP) -- A new horticulture lab is giving students and scientists new ways of studying endangered plants at Brenau University in Gainesville.

The Bilyeu Bio-Science Greenhouse was made possible by donations from Gainesville residents Don and Lori McEachin and Arthur and Pamela Bilyeu.

Jessi Shrout, a Brenau biology professor and director of the university's endangered plant program, says the school had a big need for the greenhouse.

Shrout said the facility provides a sterile environment where plants can grow accustomed to their native environments.

The Times of Gainesville reports (http://bit.ly/OGcuZg) that the endangered plant program at Brenau began in the summer of 2010.

AP-WF-09-04-12 1553GMT