Each month we offer a variety of programs to inspire, teach and engage. All Connecticut College Arboretum programs are open to the public and many of our programs are free or available at a discounted rate with membership and for current Connecticut College students. Some programs require registration to confirm your spot. Email arbor@conncoll.edu if you need assistance.

Connecticut College is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy community. 

 

Free Guided Tours

Free guided tours at the Connecticut College Arboretum begin in May.
Tours start at 10 a.m. on the first and second Sunday of each month from May thru October.
Our free guided tours are open to the public and pre-registration is not required. 

Native Plant Collection (1st Sunday of the month)

Tours of the Native Plant Collection meet at the entrance gate to the Native Plant Collection located on Williams Street across from the Williams Street entrance to the Connecticut College main campus.

Tour dates: 

May 4
June 1
July 6
August 3
September 7
October 5

Caroline Black Garden (2nd Sunday of the month)

Tours of the Caroline Black Garden meet at the entrance to the Caroline Black Garden located on behind the Vinal Cottage across Mohegan Avenue from the main entrance to the Connecticut College campus. Access to the parking area behind Vinal Cottage is located at 4 Winchester Avenue.

Tour dates: 

May 11
June 8
July 13
August 10
September 14
October 12

 

Owl Prowl

DATE: Thursday, February 13, 2025
TIME: 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

When most of us are heading to bed, many owl species are just starting their day. These incredible birds have unique adaptations for hunting at night, and are loved and admired by birders and non-birders alike. Late winter is one of the best times to see and hear these birds, as they start defending territory and finding mates. Join CT Audubon Society’s Joe Attwater as we search the Connecticut College Arboretum for these mysterious birds.

This program is open to all.

COST: $10 -or- FREE for current Connecticut College Arboretum Members, current Connecticut Audubon Society Members and current Connecticut College students. 

Registration required.
Space is limited.
Registration through the Connecticut Audubon Society.

THIS PROGRAM IS FULL

Tap Into Maple Syrup Production

DATE: Saturday, February 15, 2025
TIME: 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Enjoy time outdoors making one of nature’s sweet treats. Maple syrup starts to run in late winter when temperatures climb above freezing during the day and drop back below freezing at night. Participants will learn how to identify different species of maple trees, install a spile and safely produce syrup with Jim Luce, Retired Supervisor of Grounds. 
 
Meet in the Olin Science Center Lounge. It is recommended that participants dress in layers as portions of this program will take place outdoors.

COST: $20 -or- $10 for current Connecticut College Arboretum Members. 

Registration required.
Space is limited.

THIS PROGRAM IS CURRENTLY ON A WAITLIST
PLEASE FOLLOW THIS LINK TO ADD YOUR NAME TO WAITLIST

Fruit Tree Pruning

DATE: Tuesday, February 25, 2025
TIME: 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Assistant Professor of Botany & Connecticut College Sprout Garden Coordinator, Erik Vukicevich, and Arboretum Horticulturist, Anna Fialkoff, lead a workshop to teach about the basic concept and practices for pruning fruit trees for production.
 
This workshop will be held outdoors and meets at the Connecticut College Sprout Garden (located on the west side of the College Center at Crozier-Williams).
 
COST: $20 -or- $10 for current Connecticut College Arboretum Members. 

Registration required.
Space is limited.

REGISTER HERE

Winter Tree Identification

DATE: Saturday, March 1, 2025
TIME: 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

It is fairly easy to identify many trees by their leaves but, it can be challenging once the leaves have fallen. This workshop starts indoors with a brief introduction to plant identification using keys. Then we will head outside to look at deciduous, native trees while they are dormant. Jim Luce, Retired Supervisor of Grounds, will lead the group to observe trees as a whole– with their unique bark and branching patterns, twigs, buds, any leftover fruit or persistent leaves– to help them become more recognizable even during the winter!
 
This program is offered in partnership with New London Trees.
Logo for New London Trees
 
COST: $20 -or- $10 for current Connecticut College Arboretum Members. 

Registration required.
Space is limited.

REGISTER HERE

 

The Art & Science of Pruning

DATE: Saturday, March 22, 2025
TIME: 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Trees and shrubs thrive with judicious pruning. This workshop will cover what, when, how and why to prune. Topics covered will include training young trees and shrubs to avoid future problems, renovating overgrown shrubs and pruning hedges. After a brief lecture inside, participants will go outside to view pruning demonstrations on campus plantings. With Jim Luce, retired grounds supervisor and Anna Fialkoff, Arboretum horticulturist.

COST: $25 -or- $15 for current Connecticut College Arboretum Members. 

Registration required.
Space is limited.

REGISTER HERE

 

Growing Mushrooms on Logs

DATE: Saturday, March 29, 2025
TIME: 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Interested in learning about growing mushrooms outdoors?  Assistant Professor of Botany, Eric Vukicevich, presents the basics of cultivating edible and medicinal mushrooms in log culture.  This program will start with a discussion of fungal biology followed by a hands-on workshop where participants will be able to inoculate a log to take home.  
 
Registration required.
Space is limited.

COST: $45 -or- $30 for current Connecticut College Arboretum Members. 

 

REGISTER HERE 

 

Visit us on facebook @ConnecticutCollegeArboretum to stay up to date on our programs and events. To receive advance notice of programs you can sign up to get our monthly email newsletter on the Arboretum home page. You don't have to be a member to receive notifications but we would appreciate your support of becoming a member if you are not one already.

LEARN MORE ABOUT BECOMING A MEMBER.