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 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.…
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.…
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…
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…
This summer, 41 teachers from across Arizona participated in a specialized professional development program designed in partnership with @azgfd to bring hands-on science education into their classrooms.
Made possible through support from @resolutioncopper, the program equipped educators with classroom-ready lessons that connected desert ecology, STEM learning, and Arizona State Science Standards. Teachers left with:
🌱 Lesson plans 🌱 Presentations 🌱 Hands-on activities 🌱 Educational supplies including a classroom set of plants 🌱 Professional development experience they can immediately apply in their classrooms.
The impact extends far beyond a single workshop. Every teacher who participates has the potential to reach hundreds of students, creating a ripple effect that strengthens science education, environmental literacy, and stewardship in the Copper Corridor and across Arizona....
Have you ever seen a chrysalis on a cactus before? Imagine the bravery of this cloudless sulphur caterpillar, navigating spiky traps just to find a safe spot to pupate. The resilience of desert critters is nothing short of breathtaking.
Does adventuring through the Arboretum at dusk in search of little critters sound exciting to you? Then what are you waiting for? Register for one of our Critter Crawls today. We only have three tours left!
📆Friday, July 24 📆Friday, August 7 📆Friday, August 21
Join us and learn what it means to "sniff spiders" 🕷️👃
The prickly pear cacti are fruiting all across the garden. This vibrant fruit ripens when the weather is at its hottest and driest, making it a vital food source for all kinds of desert wildlife.
Have you tried prickly pear fruit before? Let us know in the comments what you thought of it! 👇
Even at the height of summer, the desert blooms. It`s a powerful reminder that life doesn`t just survive in harsh environments, it thrives. And so can we. 🌵🌸
Seeing wildlife at the Arboretum is never boar-ing. In fact - Javelinas aren`t boars at all! They`ve been evolving separately from true pigs for nearly 40 million years. 🐖
Keep a look out for these little guys when you`re out hiking in the desert. Odds are you`ll smell them before you see them! Their scent glands produce a strong, unpleasant odor that helps them mark territory and recognize members of their herd. Always make sure to keep a safe distance!
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