The mission of Boyce Thompson Arboretum is to inspire appreciation and stewardship of desert plants, wildlife, and ecosystems through education, research, and conservation.”
Every visit supports research, environmental education, and directly benefits the mission and success of Boyce Thompson Arboretum.
Join BTA and Arizona Game and Fish for a special members-only evening of bat netting! Witness the beauty of these winged creatures up close and personal and learn about their important ecological role as pollinators…
The Boyce Thompson Arboretum Photography Club is a welcoming community of photographers of all skill levels who are inspired by the natural beauty of Arizona’s high desert. The club meets every third Saturday to explore…
Boyce Thompson Arboretum has been named an Important Bird Area by the National Audubon Society, serving as a habitat for numerous species of birds. Join our beginner-friendly guided walk to explore this unique landscape with…
The Sonoran Desert is the most diverse desert in the world. It’s home to a lot of different kinds of animals. Families will learn all about the animals who call the Sonoran Desert home and how to identify them by looking at skulls, scats and tracks. Non-Member child…
Boyce Thompson Arboretum’s Fall Plant Sale is the perfect time to pick up new trees, shrubs, perennials, and more for your garden or landscape. The plant sale features an array of plants from around the…
We are looking for enthusiastic individuals that love to educate youth and explore the outdoors! Please join us as a volunteer field trip guide in our mission to inspire an appreciation of arid climate plants and wildlife.
Our field trip program welcomes school aged kids K-12 to participate in inquiry-based learning adventures. Field trips operate October-April on weekdays. No teaching experience needed! We provide training and shadowing opportunities to learn.
If you are new to volunteering with us, please apply at: https://www.volgistics.com/appform/101413720 Send us a message if you have any questions!
Training Dates:
▶ Session 1: September 16th and 18th | 9:00 am- 11:30 am | Smith Lecture Room
OR
▶ Session 2: September 30th and October 2nd | 9:00 am-11:30 am | Smith Lecture Room
It`s International Vulture Awareness Day! Our ecosystem would be significantly less clean without them, so we really owe Vultures a lot of appreciation! Here`s some fun facts you may not know:
🪶We have two species in Arizona: Black Vultures and Turkey Vultures. Both can be found at Boyce Thompson Arboretum!
🪶Their stomach acid is so strong, it can process anthrax and botulism.
🪶They can smell food up to 1 mile away.
🪶 Groups of vultures have different names depending on what they`re doing: when they`re flying in a circle they are a "kettle", if they`re eating they`re a "wake", and when they`re perched, they`re a "committee", "venue", or "volt."
What`s your favorite fact about vultures? Let us know in the comments! 👇
Have you made Labor Day weekend plans yet? Make us part of your plans!
Boyce Thompson Arboretum will be open on Labor Day from 6:00 am - 3:00 pm. Last admission at 2:00 pm. Celebrate your day off by walking through our gardens and enjoying all nature has to offer.
There`s just two more months until Boyce Thompson Arboretum`s Green Gala! 🌿Have you got your ticket yet?
Support the Arboretum by enjoying fine dining, entertainment, and education under the desert sky. Your generosity is what makes this celebration possible and advances our mission to inspire, educate, and conserve. We hope to see you there!
🗓️Saturday, November 7, 2026 🕛4:00-8:00pm 📍Hill House Property 38815 E Arboretum Way Superior, AZ 85713
Back in March, our team rescued cacti from a construction site in El Paso, Texas. 🌵Now, just a few months later, the relocated Echinocactus horizonthalonius are in full bloom. We hope you enjoy the sight of these vibrant, pink flowers just as much as we do!
Even in September, cacti are blooming! No matter what time of year you visit the Arboretum, there will always be something new to see.
The Ferocactus wislizeni, also known as Fishhook Barrel Cactus, grows best in soil with good drainage with access to plenty of sunlight. It`s a low maintenance plant, perfect for gardeners of any level! If you keep it happy and healthy, you`ll get to enjoy its vibrant blooms.
Imagine exchanging vows with your partner in the middle of a blooming desert garden. Tree branches sway gently in the wind and birds sing from above in a moment that feels calm and intimate. Surrounded by your closest family and friends, you feel a deep sense of peace that carries right into your new life together.
If this sounds like your dream wedding, send us a message! We`d love to be part of your special day. We offer a variety of elopement, ceremony, and reception spaces carefully selected to best match your needs. You can learn more at https://btarboretum.org/weddings/
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