What’s New?
Construction of New Pollinator and Bird Garden Has Begun!
Pond with Stone Terrace and Boardwalk
Construction has begun on the Arboretum’s new Pollinator and Bird Garden, which will add over three acres to the H.O. Smith Botanic Gardens. This space has been designed to attract all of our region’s insect pollinator species as well as the broadest possible range of resident and migratory birds. Working with a large team of Penn State-based and outside experts, including Penn State’s Center for Pollinator Research, we have designed a garden that encourages ecological diversity by incorporating habitats such as a pond, wetlands, woodland, and dry meadow. The new gardens will showcase over 390 unique species and varieties—most of which are native to Pennsylvania or the greater Appalachian region.
Check back in the months ahead for updates!
Winter Photo Contest
Winter 2017 – Photo by James Reis
Please submit your favorite photo of winter in the Arboretum (one per person, please) via email, Facebook, Instagram, or by February 29! Contest winners will be featured in our Seasonal Images album, social media, and in our newsletter.
1st Place 2019 Autumn -Jami Nielsen
Winners of the Autumn Photo Contest
1st place- Jami Nielsen
2nd place TIE- Mike Gerver and Lisa Cirincione
3rd place- Ruth Antonick Fleck
You can view all of the winning entries in our Seasonal Images album on the home page. Thank you to everyone who submitted entries!
A New Way to Donate
We are pleased to announce that a new, very user-friendly option is available to donate to the Arboretum. Simply text PSUArboretum to 41444.
Men’s Crewneck Ginseng
The Arboretum is offering T-shirts for sale in several styles. The shirts cost $20 for adults (all designs) and $15 for children (bison, hellbender, and hummingbird only). Please see the descriptions and images of the designs at https://arboretum.psu.edu/shirts/.
Seasonal Displays
Thank you to all who joined us to welcome the holiday season on Friday, December 13, 2019, at our Winter Celebration. The seasonal decorations will be lighted until 9 p.m. each evening until mid-January.
2020 Summer Internships
Paid internship opportunities in the H.O. Smith Botanic Gardens are available in summer 2020. These include internships in horticultural and grounds management practices, tree care practices, greenhouse and nursery operations, and outdoor, place-based education in our children’s garden. You can read the position descriptions at the links below and apply at psu.jobs.
Summer 2020 Office of Physical Plant Arboretum Internships
Summer 2020 Childhood’s Gate Children’s Garden Internships
Group Visits
If you wish to bring a group to visit the Arboretum, please use our on-line form to inquire about tours and schedule your visit.
Avian Education Fall Banding Report
Arboretum Newsletters
2019 Autumn Arboretum Newsletter
Upcoming Activities
Spring 2020 Wildflower Trail Volunteer Flyer
Tuesday, April 14 – 5:00 p.m.
Avian Education Seminar
Chris Parish, Director of Global Conservation at the Peregrine Fund
Pictured at the top of the page is the limestone cave in Childhood’s Gate Children’s Garden during winter.
