News & Blog

Category: Arboretum Updates

After Hurricane Harvey

September 7, 2017

In the wake of Hurricane Harvey, we have been truly inspired by you, our community, as you stepped up to the plate to help those in need.

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The Arboretum will be closing at 3:00 pm this Frid

The Arboretum will be closing at 3:00 pm this Friday, April 19 for our Alfresco Gala. As one of our most important fundraising events of the year, the Gala directly supports the Arboretum's mission of conservation and nature education.

To learn more about this exciting event, please visit https://houstonarboretum.org/event/2024-alfresco-gala/

Red-bellied Woodpeckers are putting on a great sho

Red-bellied Woodpeckers are putting on a great show this year! The male offers his mate a selection of potential nest sites by tapping gently on each one. The female indicates her choice by joining him to start excavating the cavity. This pair chose a dead pine near the Administration building, but you can see they tried a few different spots before fully committing. It took them two weeks of chiseling and carrying out mouthfuls of sawdust before they finished their work. Keep your eye out for holes in dead trees or dead branches for more signs of woodpecker nesting. #BeakOfTheWeek #WildlifeWednesday

📸 Joe Liggio

Are those strawberries growing in your yard?! The

Are those strawberries growing in your yard?! The mock strawberry (Potentilla indica) is an invasive, low growing "weed" that loves spreading across lawns. Unlike a true wild strawberry, the fruit of the mock strawberry is rather bland, tasteless, and spongy.

While it doesn't seem to be favored by any birds or other local wildlife, rumor has it that it is eaten by box turtles, who are also generally low growing.

📸 & observation by Naturalist Melissa Kyle

Bigfoot, Griffins, Jackalope, Unicorns…who is yo

Bigfoot, Griffins, Jackalope, Unicorns…who is your favorite cryptid? Join fellow Cryptozoologists for Mythical Creatures on Saturday, May 4 as we study real fantastical creatures that dwell here at the Arboretum and compare them to the mythical beasts lurking just beyond the shadows. We will learn about folklore, adaptations, and even create our own Mythical Creature!

This is a drop-off class for children ages 7-12. Advance registration is required. Parents and siblings are welcome to explore the Arboretum’s grounds on their own during class.

Looking for a fun way to immerse yourself in the g

Looking for a fun way to immerse yourself in the great outdoors during Earth Month? Head to the Arboretum on Sunday, April 28 for Yoga on the Lawn! Enjoy a grounding, all-levels yoga practice surrounded by the beautiful sights and sounds of nature. This peaceful offering is free for Arboretum Members, but space is limited, so please make sure to register in advance.