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  • Plan Your Visit
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News & Blog

Nature inspired art classes

December 18, 2015

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2026 Alfresco Gala raises $500,000

Houston Arboretum’s 2026 Alfresco Gala, honoring Main Street Capital, raised $500,000 to fund conservation and education programs.

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Arboretum receives $50,000 grant from The John M. O’Quinn Foundation for free parking

The first Sunday of free parking is April 12, in honor of Earth Month. After that, free parking will be available on the second Sunday of every month through March 14, 2027.

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Houston Arboretum & Nature Center awarded Level 1 Accreditation by ArbNet Accreditation Program

The Houston Arboretum has been awarded a Level 1 Accreditation by The ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program and The Morton Arboretum.

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Richard King Mellon Foundation Awards $90,000 Grant for Fall 2025 Conservation Project

The grant will fund the removal of invasive plant species and support hiring Student Conservation Association program participants, who will help restore the Arboretum’s woodland habitats.

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Reflecting on 20 Years at the Arboretum

20 years ago, I stepped into my role at the Arboretum with a deep love for nature and a desire to help more people experience its beauty.

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Houston Monarch Story arrives at the Arboretum

Houston Arboretum & Nature Center is excited to announce the opening of the Houston Monarch Story, an interactive art installation celebrating Monarch butterflies and their vital habitat.

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A Beginner’s Guide to Composting

If you’d like to do your part for the planet and begin composting, here are some simple steps to get you started. 

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Board Spotlight: Dr. Cullen Geiselman Muse

As her Board service draws to a close, it is with deep gratitude that we acknowledge the unparalleled leadership of Dr. Cullen Geiselman Muse.

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Inside a Prescribed Fire

Prescribed fire is vital for ecosystem health and community safety. Find out what is it like to be on the ground for one.

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The Great Owl Rescue

On a cool February morning, a visitor spotted three white puffballs. They were Great Horned Owl chicks, and they were in trouble!

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Experiencing Fall Migration

Happy Fall Migration! It may have just started to feel like autumn, but for birds, the subtle change in daylight hours at the end of August was enough to trigger their urge to travel.

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The Dog Days of Summer

We’re entering the Dog Days of Summer in a much more literal way this year – with multiple coyote and fox sightings!

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Get Social With Us!

#HoustonArboretum

It's time for another Free Second Sunday! Whether It's time for another Free Second Sunday! Whether you're exploring the trails, making memories on the Nature Playscape, or learning in the Discovery Room, enjoy free parking at the Arboretum all day this Sunday, July 12.

If you can't make it this weekend, remember that Arboretum Members get free parking every day, and Free Second Sundays run through March 14, 2027 thanks to a generous grant from The John M. O'Quinn Foundation.

Learn more at https://houstonarboretum.org/free-second-sundays/
Looking for a way to give back and learn more abou Looking for a way to give back and learn more about the natural world? Adult Volunteer Applications are now open! Volunteers support Houston Arboretum & Nature Center's dual mission of conservation and education through hands-on trail work, engaging visitors on and off site, supporting educational programs and events, and so much more.

Adult Applications are open to individuals ages 16+ who have weekday availability.

To learn more and apply, visit https://houstonarboretum.org/volunteer/
Keep an eye on the Turk’s Cap flowers by the Natur Keep an eye on the Turk’s Cap flowers by the Nature Center building and you might spot a Ruby-throated Hummingbird! We’ve been seeing a female hummingbird visiting red flowers in the courtyard this week. She has probably finished nesting for the summer and is rebuilding her strength before fall migration (which actually starts in August). She gets energy from flower nectar, but she also gets protein from eating tiny insects and spiders, so remember to avoid using pesticides if you want to give hummingbirds the nutrition they need. #BeakOfTheWeek #WildlifeWednesday 

📸 Joe Liggio
How about a star-spangled scavenger hunt as we rou How about a star-spangled scavenger hunt as we round out the holiday weekend celebrating America’s 250th anniversary? See how many species with “American” in the name you can find on your next visit to the Arboretum! Can you name all of the plants and animals in this post?

📸 Christine Mansfield, Kelsey Low, Pisum, Joe Liggio
Happy Independence Day! It’s a perfect time to cel Happy Independence Day! It’s a perfect time to celebrate the things that make America special, including our incredible native flowers. Why not take a patriotic stroll around the Arboretum and enjoy the floral fireworks? 

As a reminder, the Nature Center building is closed today, July 4, however the grounds, Nature Playscape, and outdoor restrooms are open normal hours. 

Flowers in order of appearance:
- American Basketflower (Plectocephalus americanus) 
- Common Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) 
- Common Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) 
- Firewheel (Gaillardia pulchella) 
- Sunshine Mimosa (Mimosa strigillosa) 
- Halberd-leaf Hibiscus (Hibiscus laevis) 
- Purple Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata)

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