Learn

The UW Arboretum is an exceptional place to learn about the natural world. Visitors, volunteers, families, naturalists, gardeners, land managers, educators, students, and scientists question, engage, discover, and build new understanding.

How can I learn at the Arb?

Join weekly public walks guided by our professional naturalists, take a garden tour with our curators and other experts, or sign up for a class. Attend extended training to become a volunteer steward or ecological restoration team leader. Get involved with a citizen science project.

We offer monthly family walks and programs designed especially for children to explore seasonal topics through learning and doing. In our summer Earth Focus Day Camp, children explore Arboretum trails and habitats through observation and engaging activities.

How can I learn at the Arb as an adult?

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Adult education programs offer lifelong learning in ecological restoration, conservation, gardening, caring for the land, and living in harmony with nature. Many of these programs are free; some have a fee.

How can we learn at the Arb as a family?

We offer monthly family walks and activities designed especially for children to explore seasonal topics through learning and doing.

In our summer camp, children explore Arboretum trails and habitats through observation and engaging activities.

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How can we learn at the Arb as a group?

The Arboretum’s precollege education program encourages young people to connect to place, explore nature, and engage with natural and cultural communities. While at the Arboretum, participants will use the science practices of asking questions, designing models, carrying out investigations, analyzing and interpreting data, and constructing explanations.

Participants will use patterns observed in nature and an understanding of structures and processes, as well as interactions, energy, and ecosystem dynamics, while learning to care for and conserve natural landscapes. All programs are inquiry-based and focus on student-centered learning. Use the school group form in the sidebar to request a field trip.

School Group Field Trips

(pre-K through 12th grade)

Our programs are aligned to the Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards (Pre K), Wisconsin Standards for Science (SCI) the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), the Wisconsin Environmental Literacy and Sustainability Standards (ELS), and the Wisconsin Standards for Social Studies (SS). Click the links on each program below for more information.

Cost: $34 per naturalist per hour. Group size will determine the number of naturalists required. See school group pricing grid for more information.

We can customize field trips for any grade level. On the request form, select “Your Choice” and provide detailed information about the field trip and topic you would like for your visit. Please note that additional fees may apply for customized programs.

Youth Group Field Trips

We can tailor programs for community centers, scouts, 4-H, faith-based groups, after school, summer programs, and other youth groups according to interests and needs. Use the youth group form in the sidebar to request a field trip.

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Cost: $34 per naturalist per hour. Group size will determine the number of naturalists required.

See youth group pricing grid for more information.

ARBORETUM