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.
Explore the arboretum this summer with our Docents on a golf cart tour! We invite you to join us for an hour long cart ride to some of our most scenic spots of the arboretum.…
Explore the arboretum this summer with our Docents on a golf cart tour! We invite you to join us for an hour long cart ride to some of our most scenic spots of the arboretum.…
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…
Join us after dark on a night-time adventure with our Education Staff and Docents! Discover the amazing world of nocturnal life in the Sonoran Desert on this family friendly ‘crawl’. Guests will learn about Sonoran Desert ecology while taking a closer look at the local critters. Plus, you will get the knowledge you…
Explore the arboretum this summer with our Docents on a golf cart tour! We invite you to join us for an hour long cart ride to some of our most scenic spots of the arboretum.…
Summer blooms add a delightful splash of color to the desert landscape. Seeing something so light and dainty grow on a spiky cactus is a beautiful juxtoposition, reminding us that life can be found in the most unexpected places.
Did you know the name "Boojum" comes from a Lewis Carroll poem?
In "The Hunting of the Snark," Lewis Carroll describes a boojum as a dangerous, mystical creature that causes victims to disappear. Because Fouquieria columnaris looks so strange and unusual, it became known as a Boojum Tree!
Fortunately the Boojum Tree will not cause you to disappear, so you can enjoy these Wondlerland-esque trees up close!
Did you know the Desert Spiny Lizard can change color? This adaptation is called metachromatism.
☀️In the heat, their skin lightens, reflecting sunlight to stay cool. ❄️In cool temperatures, they turn darker, helping them absorb heat from the sun.
The Desert Spiny Lizard can be found throughout most of Arizona, including right here at Boyce Thompson Arboretum! Next time you visit, keep an eye out for these little guys.
Have you ever seen a leaf with a strange, pigment-free pattern? This is called variegation! It can be caused by a genetic difference in the plant, or a change in cells as it grows. You can see this beautiful phenomenon up close on one of our hibiscus plants in the Demonstration Garden!
Love the Arboretum but live too far away? Book a stay at Hill House!
Less than a mile from Boyce Thompson Arboretum, this ranch-style Airbnb has a 360-degree view of Tonto National Forest. Spend your days touring the Arboretum and your evenings enjoying the sunsets, plants, and wildlife right outside the front door. It`s a perfect getaway for couples, friends, and families alike.
Visit the link in our bio to schedule your stay today!
Can you spot the tiny flowers on this Golden Barrel Cactus?
Sometimes we can be so focused on the goal ahead, we miss small wonders along the way. Next time you visit the Arboretum, pause to notice the little signs of life around you:
🐝A bee pollinating a flower. 🦎A lizard darting up a trail. 🐦The call of a distant songbird. 🌼A small yellow flower blooming on a Golden Barrel Cactus.
What small beautiful thing did you notice today? Let us know in the comments! 👇
Start your morning off right with a guided bird walk this Wednesday, August 5th at 6:15 am! Free with admission, this walk is for advanced and beginner birders alike. Some of our favorite summer birds spotted at the Arboretum are:
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