Tapping Energy from Below the Earth |
Outside the Arboretum’s state-of-the-art research facilities at Weld Hill, an invisible system is at work, quietly advancing a more sustainable future. Far beneath the soil, geothermal wells tap Earth’s steady underground temperature, circulating energy through highly efficient electric heat pumps to warm our laboratories in winter and cool them down in summer. For students, scientists, and visitors, the effect is seamless: comfortable spaces that support learning and discovery. But behind the scenes, this technology diminishes the Arboretum’s use of fossil fuels, reducing carbon emissions while aligning our research mission with our values for promoting environmental stewardship. Paired with on-site solar power, the system reflects our broader commitment to more resilient practices. Here at Weld Hill and across our landscape, sustainability is rooted in action, weaving together science, landscape, and operations toward a greener Arnold Arboretum. |
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Hidden History in Our Landscape |
When students in Harvard professor Tiya Miles’s course on slavery and public history visited the Arnold Arboretum in 2025, they discovered that history is not confined to archives—it is embedded in the land itself. In the summer issue of Arnoldia, coauthors Rayha Kelly McPherson, Madeleine Riskin-Kutz, Riley K. Sutherland, and Jasmine N. Wynn bring this idea to life through the story of Simeon Giles and his descendants. Their research traces an African American family who lived, worked, and owned property on the very ground that would later become the Arboretum, revealing layers of history that deepen our understanding of this landscape. By weaving together documents, place-based inquiry, and lived experience, the article illuminates how past and present intersect in powerful ways. Become a member today to receive our quarterly magazine on trees in your mailbox and explore stories that connect plants, people, and the past. |
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Little Explorers, Big Outdoor Discoveries |
Young children and their caregivers are invited to discover the wonders of nature together in our fun and enriching Little Explorers programs. Designed for curiosity and connection, these engaging sessions blend storytelling, sensory play, and outdoor adventure to spark a lifelong love of the natural world. Our next gathering on Monday, June 29 from 10:00 to 11:00am will begin in the Hunnewell Building before venturing into the landscape, weather permitting. Along the way, participants might look closely at leaves, listen for birds, or observe seasonal changes unfolding across our living collections. Led by experienced educators, Little Explorers encourages hands-on discovery and joyful creativity in a welcoming, low-pressure environment. Made possible by the Catherine Hannon Auchincloss Creativity Fund, Little Explorers offers a chance to engage, ask questions, and share in the excitement of exploration. It’s a delightful way for families to connect—with nature and with each other—at your Arboretum. |
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Mountain Laurels Dazzle on Hemlock Hill |
Each June, a quiet spectacle unfolds at the base of Hemlock Hill. Beneath a canopy of hemlocks, sweeping drifts of mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) bloom in soft shades of white and pink, their intricate, cup-shaped flowers glowing in the dappled light. Along the curve of the old carriage road, these evergreen shrubs—native to eastern North America—transform the woodland edge into one of the Arboretum’s most beloved seasonal displays. Anticipated as one of the last great Arboretum flower shows of the year, the mountain laurels mark a gentle turning point from spring to summer. Their blossoms reward both distant admiration and close study, revealing delicate patterns and fascinating pollination mechanisms. For generations, visitors have returned to this scene, finding continuity in its beauty even as the surrounding forest evolves. Visit now to experience the show along Hemlock Hill Road—where history, ecology, and seasonal change come together in bloom. |
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