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Thank you, friends!

In 2022 nearly 800 of you made almost 1,500 individual contributions in support of Hoyt Arboretum Friends.

What’s more, we made 205 new friends (more than any year before!) who value Hoyt Arboretum as an outdoor classroom, a living laboratory for research, and a global garden dedicated to species conservation.

Your generosity helps kids take their first walk in the woods, keeps the trails clear and the trees healthy, and ensures climate-resilient collections for all to enjoy for years to come.

We couldn’t do it without you!

DONATE

VISIT

Get Twiggy With It

Walking through the Arboretum in winter is a unique experience, especially if you venture outside the conifer sections and onto trails that feature mostly deciduous trees. Bare branched and having lost on of their most identifiable features (their leaves), you may find yourself perplexed over which of your arboreal friends you're greeting.

“But all is not lost!” says arborist, dendrologist, and podcaster extraordinaire Casey Clapp, “there’s more to see when you focus on what the leaves leave behind: the twigs.”

We are so excited to welcome Casey back to the Arboretum this winter for 2 of his patented tree walks focusing on how to identify trees using only their twigs.

If you don't know Casey or his podcast Completely Arbortrary, he’s among the best of us “treeks”, with infectious enthusiasm and a drive to share the coolest facts and features about trees (and related topics).

Through story, he helps you interpret the details of the natural world through a unique (and FUN!) perspective.

When asked for a sneak peek into the intrigue he’s got cooking up for this season's walks he shared one of the trees he’ll be highlighting: katsura. “When looking at winter twigs, one of the first things to notice is their bud arrangement [which are] opposite or alternate along the twig.”

He continued saying that “the katsura is unique in that its buds are sometimes opposite and alternate. You almost don't need any other clues once you see that pattern." (Shown below)

These 2 unique sessions will be held on January 28th and February 25th, and are sure to be filled with curious facts, stories, and ecological intrigue.

Upcoming Events and Classes

Tree Time! Preschool Walks

Join us for a story and guided walk on the trails at Hoyt Arboretum!

We will use our senses to explore the plants, trees, insects, mushrooms, and more found at Hoyt Arboretum.

Held Mondays at 10am year-round. Saturdays are scheduled March-November at 10am.

Sign up for a specific date

Adult Programs

All About Owls (Virtual): Jan 19th

Winter Twig ID: Jan 28th

Little Brown Birds (Virtual): Feb 16th

Winter Tree ID: Feb 25th

Watercolor Nature Journaling (Virtual, 5 weeks): March 2nd-30th

Forest Bathing: March 11th

Forest Birds (Virtual): March 14th

Forest Bathing: March 20th

EVENTS CALENDAR

We're Hiring a Seasonal Nature Educator!

We're adding a Seasonal Nature Educator to our team for the upcoming spring field trip season!

Our Nature Educators enjoy engaging students in hands-on environmental education while encouraging meaningful connections with the nature.

Application deadline is January 31, 2023 at 5PM PST.

LEARN MORE AND APPLY

Volunteer at the Arboretum

There will be many ways to support Hoyt Arboretum this spring:

Community science
Nature education
Stewardship
Visitor engagement

VOLUNTEER

Another Way to Support HAF

Did you upgrade your technology this year? Donate your old iPad or comparable tablet to Hoyt Arboretum Friends to help us engage with visitors in new ways around the Arboretum.

Email our Development Director, Ajah Maloney to support our work this way.

EMAIL AJAH

Winter at the Arboretum

The snow has melted (at least for now) up here at the Arboretum, but crisp winter walks are still the mood.

Few places are so peaceful, so close to the city!