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.
Learn about commonly found butterfly species and their host plants with a butterfly expert from Central Arizona Butterfly Association. Walks are subject to availability. Registration is first come, first serve. To register for a tour…
Arizona is home to 29 different species of bats! Bats are important pollinators for Arizona and the reason we have the Saguaro cactus. Families will learn about these amazing creatures with a fun bat game…
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…
Explore the arboretum 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. Our knowledgeable…
Celebrate Halloween in the Wild 🎃 Join Boyce Thompson Arboretum this Halloween for our Boo-tanical Bash! On Friday, October 30 from 5 – 7 pm, the Arboretum will transform into a festive Halloween scene with…
If not - what are you waiting for? Come on down! The Fall Plant sale is happening NOW until November 1. Don`t miss this opportunity to get some new native plants for your garden.
This blooming cactus may look like a saguaro, but it`s actually a cardón!
You may be wondering... if they look so similar, how can you tell the difference? Here`s some things to keep in mind:
🌵Cardóns are MUCH larger than saguaros. They have thicker trunks and can grow taller than 60 ft! 🌵They typically have more branches that form closer to the ground. 🌵They`re native to South America whereas saguaros are primarily in Arizona.
Even though their blooms are short lived, the cardón remains a beautiful presence year round.
It`s almost that time of year when the Arboretum transforms into a beautiful autumnal display! Typically, fall colors start appearing here around mid-November or early December. It largely depends on weather patterns and temperatures. When it finally happens, pomegranates, canyon hackberries, willows, pecans, and our famous grove of scarlet-orange Chinese pistache will (most likely) be at their peak color, as will the cottonwoods in Queen Creek Canyon. It`s a sight you don`t want to miss!
Follow our stories closely for updates! We`ll make sure you know when the first fall colors start to appear.
When`s the last time you paused to watch a butterfly? 🦋 In a world that moves so fast, there`s something so calming and magical about noticing the small, beautiful things in your path.
Capture this feeling by joining one of our Butterfly Walks! You`ll learn about commonly found species and their host plants with a butterfly expert from Central Arizona Butterfly Association.
📅 October 24 and November 14 🕤9:30 - 10:30 am 🎟️Free with admission
The outdoors make the best kind of classroom. Join one of our Family Workshops to learn fun facts about nature and participate in a themed craft!
🦇Bats of Arizona: Oct 24 | Craft: Pinecone bat 📝Nature Journaling: Nov 7 | Craft: Nature journal 🍁Fall Color Fun: Nov 14 | Craft: Leaf collage 🌲All About Trees: Dec 12 | Craft: Wood cookie ornament
Time: 10:00 - 11:00 am Non-Member child (5-17): $10 Member child: $8 Up to 2 adults free with child
🍄Did you know that fungi are more closely related to people than plants? They may look like plants, but the way they grow, get nutrients, and evolve is completely different.
Fungi DO interact with plants. They grow by absorbing nutrients from organic material, which is why you often find them on dying trees, logs, or on ground level.
These little guys can be found on the fence surrounding Drover`s Woolshed. Next time you visit, keep an eye out for them and any other mushrooms in your path. Sometimes they pop up in places where you`d least expect!
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