You can play an essential role in the conservation and stewardship of desert plants, wildlife, and ecosystems
Support Our Mission
Our mission is to inspire appreciation and stewardship of desert plants, wildlife, and ecosystems through education, research and conservation.
Boyce Thompson Arboretum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, IRS EIN: 88-0061520. Every gift helps and every member matters! If you would like to make a gift in honor or memory of a loved one please refer to the ‘Ways to Give’ section below.
Giving Options
Greatest Needs Fund
Your gift to the Greatest Needs Fund provides the flexible support our mission depends on most. It allows us to respond to the Arboretum’s most urgent needs, care for our collections, and invest in education, research, and conservation. Here your generosity can make the greatest impact.
Propagating the Future
We are committed to preserving rare desert plants and expanding conservation efforts through propagation. The Propagating the Future campaign aims to upgrade facilities, enhance research, and increase access to resilient plants that support thriving desert ecosystems.
Water Wise Arboretum
The Water Wise Campaign has strengthened our approach to water conservation and climate resilience. Your support helps sustain these critical improvements through ongoing maintenance, innovation, and sustainable stewardship practices.
Living Collections Fund
Support the dedicated horticulture experts and the plants they care for every day, including three nationally accredited plant collections. Your gift provides the people, tools, supplies, and resources needed to keep the Arboretum’s living collections healthy, vibrant, and thriving while preserving the beauty and biodiversity of our gardens for generations to come.
Educational Initiatives
Your gift supports educational experiences that connect people of all ages with the arid-adapted ecosystems from around the world; from student field trips and STEM learning to guided tours, workshops, our docents, and community programs. Together, we inspire discovery and nurture lifelong stewards of nature.
Desert Legume Program (DELEP)
Your gift supports the Desert Legume Program’s mission to conserve, research, and share the diversity of desert legumes through seed banking, scientific study, and preservation efforts. By protecting valuable plant genetics and advancing knowledge of these resilient species, your support helps safeguard desert biodiversity and promote sustainable solutions for arid environments worldwide.
Desert Resilience Fund
Your support strengthens the Arboretum’s ability to prepare for and respond to the challenges of a changing desert environment, including wildfire risk, extreme heat, water conservation needs, and storm impacts. Your gift helps protect our living collections, infrastructure, and community.
Historic Preservation Fund
Boyce Thompson Arboretum is a treasured historic site where more than a century of conservation, horticulture, and education has shaped a lasting connection to desert plants and ecosystems from around the world. Your gift supports the preservation and care of our historic buildings, landscapes, and cultural resources, ensuring this special place continues to inspire visitors while honoring its rich legacy.
Join the Desert Willow Legacy Society
By including Boyce Thompson Arboretum in your estate plans, you become a member of the Desert Willow Legacy Society, a special community of supporters dedicated to preserving the Arboretum for future generations.
Vision. Growth. Legacy. YOU can shape the future
Other Ways to Give
Green Gala
An unforgettable evening of breathtaking desert views, dinner under the stars, and immersive learning experiences, all while supporting the Arboretum’s mission.
Sustaining Garden Donor Program
Help the Arboretum grow and develop by becoming a monthly Sustaining Garden Donor.
Memorials & Tributes
Commemorate a loved one or important life events with a unique addition to our garden. To learn more, please contact a member of our development team at [email protected].
Amazon Wish List
We are always in need of new supplies to keep our garden growing. Sending us an item from our wish list is an easy and effective way to support our mission!
Questions? We’d love to hear from you!
Connect with our Development team at 520-689-4716 or [email protected].
#1Arb
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Have you started your fall garden yet? While the weather is still hot, you can start by growing these seeds indoors:
🪴Napa Cabbage
🪴Texas Grano Onion
🪴Kale
🪴Broccoli
Once they`ve grown big enough, and the weather gets cooler, you can transport them to your outdoor garden.
In need of new plants? Stop by our plant sale happening October 17 - November 1st! Members get 20% off AND early access on October 16. Sign up to become a member today to save time in line! Link in bio.
#gardeninspiration #gardeningtips #fallplantsale #fallgarden #gardenlovers #arizonagarden
Are you a local vendor looking to get involved in community events? We`d love to have you at Boyce Thompson Arboretum!
Join us for one of our upcoming events:
🎄Holiday Hangout | December 5 & 6
🐾Tails & Trails | February 20
🍷Flavor of Arizona | April 3 & 4
As a vendor, you`ll receive valuable exposure for your business, meet consumers who are interested in supporting local businesses, and network with vendors like yourself from all over the state.
Interested in applying? Dm us today!
#arizonavendors #localvendors #vendorswanted #CallForVendors #holidayevent #thingstodoaz #superiorarizona
Look at the long antennae on these bees! These are longhorn bees, and they`re key pollinators for sunflowers. 🌻We spotted this group hard at work in front of our Smith Greenhouse.
So... what do antennae actually do for bees? The answer is A LOT. Here are just some examples of what antennae do:
🐝 They act as scent receptors, helping bees find nectar sources.
🐝 They detect sound waves and wind vibrations, acting as a bee`s hearing source.
🐝 They pick up pheromones, allowing them to locate other bees when mating.
Their long antennae are not only adorable, they are essential to helping bees interact with the world around them.
#longhornbees #pollinators #sunflowers #beelovers #desertlife #naturelovers
Register for one of our upcoming classes or workshops (or both!) and enjoy an immersive experience while surrounded by desert beauty.
Fall Classes:
🌿Basic Digital Photography Class | Oct 3
🌿Yoga in the Garden | Nov 12, Dec 10 & Dec 19
🌿Paint in the Arboretum: Adult Watercolor Class | Nov 14
🌿Forest Bathing | Nov 21 & Dec 12
Family Workshops:
🌿Animals of the Sonoran Desert | Oct 10
🌿Bats of Arizona | Oct 24
🌿Nature Journaling | Nov 7
🌿Fall Color Fun | Nov 14
🌿All About Trees | Dec 12
Go to https://btarboretum.org/events/ to learn more about each class and reserve your spot!
#fallactivities #familyactivities #thingstodoaz #outdooreducation #natureplay #outdooryoga #forestbathing #watercolorclass #photographyclass
Is there anything better than the natural artistry of nature? Just look how the sunlight makes these ladyfinger cacti glow 🌞
Our desert landscape is full of beauty and life if you know where to look. 💚
#ladyfingercactus #desertlife #Arizona #btarboretum #plantlovers #naturelovers
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 activities and fun for all ages.
Activities include:
👻Spooky crafts for all ages
🍬Trick-or-treating
🍔Food trucks
🦇 And more!
Thanks to Rebuild Superior, the first 20 families from Superior who arrive will receive a FREE one-year family membership. This means unlimited free admission for your family for an entire year! You must bring proof of residency to unlock this deal.
Costumes are encouraged! Please keep them family-friendly and free of any props that could double as weapons. To keep the event safe and comfortable for everyone, we reserve the right to refuse entry for inappropriate attire.
#halloweenevent #familyhalloweenfun #ThingsToDoAZ #VisitSuperior #familyactivities #naturelovers #aznature
This pollinator may look like a Monarch, but it`s actually a Queen Butterfly! So... how can you tell the difference?
🦋 Monarchs have white dots with black borders while Queens have white dots with AND without black borders
🦋 Queens are slightly darker in color
🦋 Monarchs have bolder lines on their wings
What is your favorite butterfly? Let us know in the comments!
#butterflies #ArizonaBugs #queenbutterfly #monarchbutterfly #pollinators #aznature #buglovers
Interested in making some Carob Horchata for yourself? Here`s what you`ll need:
(4 cups) unsweetened rice milk
(2–3 tbsp) roasted carob powder
(1 tsp) vanilla extract
(1 tsp) ground cinnamon
1 pinch of salt
(½ cup) sugar to taste
Cinnamon Stick
Ice
1. Set your oven to 225 degrees. Rinse your carob pods then roast them for 20-30 minutes.
2. Once the pods are nice and crispy, crack them open and remove the seeds. Grind the pulp and shake through a sieve to get a soft, fine powder.
3. In a large bowl mix rice milk, carob powder, vanilla, cinnamon, salt, and sugar. Give it a mix, then pour over ice.
If you give it a try, let us know what you think in the comments!
#horchatarecipe #carobrecipe #desertrecipe #desertplants #desertlegumes