The Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University achieves excellence in scholarship and contributes to the advancement of society as an international center for the study of plants. Integrating eminent living and archival collections for discovery and dissemination of knowledge to the students of Harvard University, local educational institutions, and the public, the Arnold Arboretum is a premier destination for deepening understanding and appreciation of plants, horticulture, and biodiversity.
Established in 1872 and planned and designed in collaboration with Frederick Law Olmsted, the Arnold Arboretum is a National Historic Landmark and one of the best preserved of Olmsted's landscapes. Founded as a public-private partnership between the City of Boston and Harvard University, the Arnold Arboretum is a unique blend of respected research institution and beloved public park in Boston's Emerald Necklace.
~~Our Mission
The Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University discovers and disseminates knowledge of the plant kingdom to foster greater understanding, appreciation, and stewardship of Earth's botanical diversity and its essential value to humankind.
This is accomplished through three areas of activity:
Research
The Arnold Arboretum promotes research by its scientific staff and other scientists to increase our knowledge of the biology and evolutionary history of plants. The Arboretum supports studies in a diverse range of disciplines, from organismic and evolutionary biology, molecular and developmental biology, and plant physiology, to studies in ecology, environment, and biodiversity. Research activities have expanded in recent years to include genomic approaches to the physiology and development of plants, the evolution of physiological control systems, water and nutrient physiology, the development of trophic and reproductive systems, and ecological research on the effects of global climate change. Publication in refereed journals and successful participation in peer-review grants and projects affirms the value of the Arboretum's research in these fields.
Horticulture
The Arboretum is committed to attaining a leadership role in the management and presentation of botanical collections and landscapes. The institution supports this goal by actively building the horticultural expertise and competence of its staff, by conducting relevant applied studies in plant propagation, plant introduction, landscape management and related fields, and through education and publication. Horticulture at the Arnold Arboretum utilizes the best available information, technologies and practices to provide exemplary stewardship for the living collections and the Olmsted/Sargent historic landscape. Horticulture staff develop and curate the living collections to enhance their scientific value and to encourage their use for research. Arboretum staff members also regularly conduct projects to monitor the condition of the collections and improve the quality of their care.
Education
Education programs are based on the unique resources of the Arnold Arboretum. They utilize the living collections and the cultural landscape, as well as the information resources and expertise of the staff to educate in the life sciences, plant biology, horticulture, and related disciplines. As a division of Harvard University, the Arboretum is committed to supporting the university's mission by providing educational opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students. In addition to serving university, continuing education and professional students, the Arboretum actively seeks to realize the opportunities inherent in its urban context by providing educational experiences for visitors, school children and the surrounding community.
In addition to these primary activities that fulfill our mission, the Arboretum maintains library, archival, herbarium and web resources to provide information, materials and support for Arboretum scientists and visiting researchers, as well as students and the interested public. These resources hold significant value as historical and/or biological records, and are managed and conserved utilizing the best available preservation practices. Information technology is critical both to the management of these resources and to the services that facilitate and promote their active use.
Occupying 281 acres, the Arboretum's living collection of trees, shrubs, and woody vines is recognized as one of the most comprehensive and best documented of its kind in the world. The living collection is supported by comprehensive curatorial documentation, herbaria containing more than 1.3 million specimens, extensive library and archival holdings, and a 43,000-square-foot state-of-the-art research center. These facilities and holdings, along with 75 full-time staff, provide the basis for research and education by Harvard faculty and students, Arboretum scholars, and visiting scientists from around the world. Investigations focus on examining plant diversity from genomic, developmental, organismic, evolutionary, and ecosystem perspectives.
Free and open to the public every day of the year, the Arboretum is a safe and accessible community resource that is utilized by thousands of visitors each year. As a university-based living collection, the Arnold Arboretum has the opportunity to share a wealth of knowledge with the public in a way that is engaging, substantive, and long-lasting. Outreach enrichment efforts include children's education programs, adult education classes, and visitor education programs.