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Our Mission

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.

Donate & Support

Adult

$24.95

Summer: $16

Youth (Ages 13-17)

$24.95

Summer: $16

Child (Ages 5-12)

$10

Members & Children under 5

$0

Walks & Tours

From daily general tours to specialty walks focusing on birds, ethnobotany or geology, you’ll find the perfect tour for you!
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Wallace Desert Garden

Now open, the new Wallace Desert Garden encompasses 13 acres, 1.5 miles of trails, and 5,000 new plantings in an incomparable setting.
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Classes & Programs

Enjoy classes ranging from gardening tips to gourd art and photography. Some classes and activities have fees.
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Critter Crawl Night Tour

August 21st, 7:30 pm9:00 pm

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…

Summer Golf Cart Tour

August 28th, 7:30 am8:30 am

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 Golf Cart Tour

August 29th, 7:30 am8:30 am

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.…

Bird Walk

September 2nd, 6:15 am7:45 am

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…

Vulture Awareness Day

September 5th, 6:30 am12:00 pm

Join us for International Vulture Day! This day is to bring awareness of how important vultures are and the role they play in their habitats. Come enjoy vulture themed activities for all ages from 6:30am-12:00pm. …

Events

See what’s coming up

Each season brings exciting events and activities, from Family programs to specialty walks!

Check out our webinars, too!

Tag us on Instagram with
@btarboretum #1Arb

This Friday is your LAST CHANCE to join a Critter Crawl! Explore the Arboretum after dark to see the critters that call our garden home. If you`re lucky, you may see:

🦂Scorpions
🦇Bats
🐸Toads
🕷️Spiders
🐍And more!

We only have THREE spots left. Register now before it`s too late!

Visit the link in our bio to reserve your spot.
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🌱Bring outdoor learning to your classroom!

Our Classroom Outreach Programs explore the Sonoran Desert and the world of plants while aligning with Arizona Science Standards. Best of all - they`re FREE for schools within the Cooper Corridor.

Our programs are made possible through support from @resolutioncopper. Interested in scheduling a program? Reach out to us today!

#natureeducation #outdoorlearning #coppercorridor #STEAMeducation #scienceeducationmatters
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We have a mushroom growing on one of our Eucalyptus trees!

This yellow fungi is likely a Laetiporus gilbertsonii, also known as Chicken of the Woods. If you visit us within the next week or so, you can find it growing on a tree across from Mr. Big in the Eucalyptus Forest. You don`t want to miss it!

#chickenofthewoods #mushroom #desertmushroom #desertnature #naturelovers #plantlovers
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One of these eggs is not like the others... 🤔

Do you see the brown, speckled egg in this nest? It likely came from a Brown-headed Cowbird! Cowbirds are brood parasites, meaning they lay their eggs in nests of other bird species. Once the egg hatches, the unsuspecting parents will raise the baby Cowbird without ever knowing it`s not one of their own.

#birdsofarizona #birdfacts #brownheadedcowbird #broodparasite #birdnest #aznature #birding
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Have you tried a jujube before? They`re yummiest when brown and slightly wrinkly and taste similar to dates! They are a favorite sweet treat for our local wildlife.

#jujube #jujubetree #wildfruit #aznature #plantlovers #plantfacts
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