Category: Uncategorized

Field in foreground with classroom trailer, solar kiln, and construction site in background.

Research Greenhouse Construction

Site work has begun for construction of a new research greenhouse located at the Arboretum! This greenhouse will house research for two faculty from the Department of Biological Sciences, as well as space for the Arboretum’s plant conservation program. More details about the new greenhouse will be shared soon!

People in wooded area pulling up invasive plants.

Weed Warriors volunteers needed!

Learn to identify and remove invasive Chinese privet and English ivy using hand tools and herbicide. All ability levels welcome, training provided as needed. Please visit our YouTube channel to view lessons about this experience! This project is funded by Legacy, Inc. Partners in Environmental Education.

Volunteers will be working outdoors and should prepare for seasonal weather, insects, and poison ivy. Closed toed shoes and long pants required. You must bring your own water and snacks. You may also want to bring a hat, sunscreen, and insect repellent. Masks required when social distancing cannot be maintained. Please email or call (205-310-0995) for directions and specific instructions prior to your arrival.

Sign up via GivePulse.  You can also sign up by replying to this email or sending a message to arbor@ua.edu , however sign up via GivePulse/BamaPulse is preferred.

Visit the Weed Warriors page to learn more about invasive plants!

TCMG add raised beds to Community Garden

The Tuscaloosa County Master Gardeners finished building raised beds in the Arboretum Community Garden.  Thanks to a grant from the Alabama Master Gardener Association, the community garden will have raised beds with wheelchair accessible paths.  These raised beds and a layer of landscape fabric will help control weeds and make it easier for our garden volunteers to maintain.  This winter the raised bed frames will be filled with fresh compost and we look forward to planting in the spring.  Thank you to our Master Gardeners and the CSL students for their hard work on this project!

Butterfly shaped garden bed with flowers in foreground with weathered shed and fence in background.

Nick’s Kids donation to fund nature play improvements to the Children’s Garden

The Arboretum received a donation from Nick’s Kids to enhance the children’s garden with accessible picnic tables and play elements for our youngest visitors! We are excited to begin work on this project with the West Alabama Woodworkers Association this winter. This project will provide more opportunities for families to use the children’s garden and be used in future outreach programs being developed for local preschools. Thank you to the Nick’s Kids Foundation!

Weed Warriors Grant from Legacy, Inc.

The Arboretum received a grant from Legacy, Inc. Partners in Environmental Education for the project “Weed Warriors: Removing Invasive Plants to Benefit Native Plants and Pollinators.”

Due to COVID-19 restrictions on in-person events and education programs, this program is provided as a series of video lessons on YouTube.   If you are interested in learning how to identify and remove invasive plants on your property or property you help maintain, please visit the Weed Warriors page on this website to participate.

Educational signs have been posted near the Children’s Garden to identify areas where we are working to remove invasive plants.  Hopefully this spring and summer we will see more wildflowers and pollinators return as we remove invasive plants!

Logo reads Legacy Partners in Environmental Education with seedling growning through the letter "a" in Legacy.

Holiday Closings

We will be closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.

All other days we will be open on our normal schedule, 8 am – sunset.

Bird research at the Arboretum

UA Researchers Drs. Eben Broadbent and Angelica Almeyda Zambrano, along with undergraduate student Kathryn Shay, are piloting use of audio recording technology for bird monitoring at the Arboretum.

http://research.ua.edu/2015/09/calling-all-birds/

Volunteer Work Days November 14 & 15

Saturday and Sunday, November 14 & 15, Arboretum staff will coordinate volunteer workdays from 9 am to 5pm. Tasks may include weeding, planting flowers, mulching, picking up fallen limbs or hauling brush. You may come for as little or as long as you like. We will provide gloves and tools as needed but you are welcome to bring your own if you prefer. Please wear boots or closed-toe shoes, dress in layers, and expect to get dirty. Bring your water bottle and pack your lunch and snacks if you plan to stay the day. If you have any questions, please email us at ua.arboretum@ua.edu.

Arboretum gate access October 14 -16

The Crimson Classic cross country meet is scheduled for Friday, October 16. Pets will not be allowed through the front gate this week due to the issues with owners failing to clean up after them. On Friday, access through the front gate will be limited to the cross country meet. Arboretum visitors will need to enter through the back gate on Pelham Heights Road. Leashed pets are welcome at the Arboretum; please clean up after them.