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.
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…
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…
Join us for BTA Photo Club’s beginner class, as we explore alternate approaches that have been shown to result in an elevated photo experience. Participants will have the opportunity to present photos during the October BTA Photo Club…
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…
If you`ve ever spotted a coati before, you`ve likely noticed how expert they are at climbing! They are often seen high up on branches, searching for insects or fruit to snack on. But what makes a coati so good at climbing trees?
✅Their long tails help them balance ✅Their long, strong claws are perfect for gripping ✅Their ankles can rotate 180 degrees, letting them descend a tree head first
Coati are built to climb!
Plan your visit today for a chance to see this amazing little critters up close.
This is Koelreuteria paniculata, also known as Golden rain tree. Native to Asia, this tree is drought-tolerant and loves getting plenty of sunlight! When it blooms, it produces light yellow flowers that eventually fall like rain and create a beautiful golden carpet.
You can find this tree in our Mediterranean Garden! See the link in our bio to plan your visit today.
📅October 17 - November 1 🕜8 am - 5 pm 🎟️October 16: Member`s Early Access
Our sale will feature arid-adapted plants from around the world, including ones native to Arizona. These plants are better adapted to a climate like ours, making them more sustainable and water-wise - perfect additions for your garden!
Members receive 20% off the sale and get early access on October 16. Not yet a member? Sign up today using the link in our bio.
Flowers may be beautiful, but some, like Datura wrightii, can also be deadly. This flower, also known as Sacred Datura, contains toxic alkaloids that can be fatally poisonous if ingested.
Some insects still benefit from these flowers. Its most frequent pollinator is the hawkmoth. The white petals make the bloom more visible at night so hawkmoths can find and pollinate it more easily.
When you`re on the trails, always keep an eye out for snakes! You never know when one`s going to slither by, and you don`t want to be caught unawares.
This little guy is a Gophersnake! They are Arizona`s longest snake and can be found throughout the state. They`re non-venomous and harmless, so if you see one on the trail keep calm and enjoy observing it from a safe distance!
Next time you and your dog are at the Arboretum, take a photo for a chance to be featured in our 2027 Calendar! Submit photos using the link in our bio or go to https://btarboretum.org/bta-dog-calendar
General Rules and Guidelines:
🐾 Photos must be of your dog at Boyce Thompson Arboretum 🐾 Preferred orientation is landscape 🐾 If photo is blurry, pixelated, or unclear, it will not be considered 🐾 Deadline to submit is October 16
If your photo is selected, you will receive a free calendar!
Don`t miss this chance to be a part of our 2027 Dogs of Boyce Thompson Arboretum Calendar!
Since this plant isn`t a true garlic, eating it won`t leave you stinky garlic breath! This made it more acceptable to eat in society.
Interested in growing one of your own? We often have them at our gift shop! Pick up a plant during your next visit and enjoy eating them in society guilt-free 😉
Do you remember our Chicken of the woods post a few weeks back? Look how much it`s grown! 🍄🟫
So... how do mushrooms grow? Unlike plants, they don`t use photosynthesis to get energy. Instead, they absorb nutrients from organic material around them. Because of this, they`re not categorized as a plant OR animal. They are their own special category. Fungi really are something to marvel at.
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