The Morton Arboretum

Aarav, Lily, and Emily (first picture, left to right) are part of the Arboretum’s three-month Youth Climate Action pilot program, which empowers high school students to inspire action around climate change. Among other projects, the students created a “Recycle Toss” game for the Arboretum’s Children’s Garden. Kids are provided bottle caps to place on plastic bottles, so the caps can also be recycled. The main message of the game is that using less plastic is an important way to protect our ecosystems and fight climate change! #YouthClimateAction #ClimateAction #Recycling #Sustainability

🌳 On this International Day of Forests, we reaffirm our commitment to securing the future of trees and their vital ecosystems! Our Chicago Region Trees Initiative is leading the way in creating a sustainable and equitably distributed tree canopy right here in the Chicago region and across Illinois. In partnership with the IUCN Species Survival Commission, the Arboretum's Center for Species Survival: Trees is addressing the global biodiversity crisis alongside local collaborators in Costa Rica, Mexico, Southeast Asia, and other biodiversity hotspots. Trees are the foundation of forest ecosystems, which support much of the world’s biodiversity and provide food, medicine, and livelihoods for billions of people. The Arboretum offers a free course on how to create a food forest—an edible landscape that mirrors the structure and function of a natural forest. These self-sustaining systems yield fresh produce, attract pollinators, and support a thriving ecosystem. Ready to get started? Watch our free on-demand class (bit.ly/4kGJu5E) and join us in nurturing our planet’s precious forest ecosystems! #ForestDay #IntlForestDay #GenerationRestoration #FoodForests #ForestConservation #Biodiversity #Trees

The Morton Arboretum has been recognized for the first time as one of USA TODAY's Top Workplaces for 2025! This prestigious national recognition follows four consecutive years of being named a Top Workplace by the Chicago Tribune, further highlighting the Arboretum’s commitment to creating a positive and supportive work environment. Thank you to our talented and dedicated staff for making the Arboretum a great place to work! Learn more: bit.ly/41KQdD4 #MortonArboretum #TopWorkplaces

Get ready to step into a colorful world of wonder as the Arboretum debuts Vivid Creatures: Colorful Sculptures as Tall as Trees. Starting May 17, explore five larger-than-life, multicolored animal sculptures celebrating the vital role animals play in Illinois’ ecosystem. Created by incredible artist duo Heather BeGaetz and Fez BeGaetz, these whimsical works are sure to inspire joy, curiosity, and a deeper connection to nature. Mark your calendars and don’t miss this unforgettable outdoor art experience, included with general admission. Plan your visit today: bit.ly/4iDXdIK. Thank you to Northern Trust, presenting sponsor of Vivid Creatures. Northern Trust Wealth Management #VividCreatures #NTProudToSupport #PublicGardens #OutdoorArt #Sculpture

Register today for an April 22 Earth Day conversation, held at the Union League Club of Chicago and moderated by the Arboretum’s President and CEO Jill Koski, about the transformative role of nature in public and private initiatives. The discussion will feature an engaging panel of industry leaders: - Arnold L. Randall, executive director of the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation - Curtis Reed Jr, head of government and healthcare, higher education, and not-for-profit banking at JPMorganChase - Zach Wirtz, director of the Arboretum’s Chicago Region Trees Initiative This event is presented in partnership with the A&WMA Lake Michigan States Section. Find more information and register on the association’s website: bit.ly/3Dz2y4Y. Note: Members of the club should contact ULCC to make reservations. #ULCChicago #Chicago #EarthDay #Environment #Conservation #Sustainability

Despite the drought conditions in much of Illinois, including abnormally low winter snowfall in Chicago, Arboretum scientists say that weather permitting, trees and plants in the Chicagoland region are generally still on track to experience peak spring blooms around a normal time this year of mid-April to May. Throughout the Arboretum’s East Woods, watch for spring blooms starting in late March. A range of ephemeral wildflowers like Dutchman’s breeches, spring beauty, and white and yellow trout lily will mark the onset of spring. Redbuds (pictured) are expected to bloom around the Arboretum’s Meadow Lake and Lake Marmo around mid-April to mid-May. Learn more in our press release: bit.ly/3DuDKLz #Spring #SpringBlooms #SpringBeauty #TreeScience #MortonArboretum

The Arboretum’s Global Tree Conservation Program team is thrilled to welcome Vânia Pereira (pictured, far right) from the Longwood Gardens Fellows Program. As part of the leader-development Fellows Program for high-potential horticulture professionals, Vânia’s immersive project at the Arboretum focuses on enhancing collaboration and partnerships, critical for impactful conservation. Vânia’s insights will strengthen the Arboretum’s collaborative framework for resource sharing and coordination. Among other hands-on projects to help refine leadership skills, she will also be instrumental in organizing the upcoming 2025 IUCN Species Survival Commission Global Tree Specialist Group Strategic Meeting at the Arboretum. Vânia is one of five Longwood Fellows, with the other 2024-2025 cohort members working on leadership projects at Gardens by the Bay, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, and The Alnwick Garden. #Collaboration #Leadership #Conservation #PublicGardens #LongwoodGardens #MortonArboretum

This #GreenCareerWeek, meet Arboretum Grower Joe Olzen. He grows trees and shrubs for our outdoor tree and plant collections. He also maintains the Arboretum’s tree breeding nursery and helps grow plants—like the lavender seen here—for our popular Arbor Day Plant Sale, happening April 24-26 (bit.ly/3QBJu9h). A dedicated Arboretum grower for the past decade, Joe loves trees and enjoys witnessing those he nurtured transform with the seasons and grow throughout the years. Seed Your Future #STEM #Horticulture #Plants #Trees #TreeCare #ILoveMyPlantJob #MortonArboretum #SeedYourFuture

The Morton Arboretum is driving innovation, growth, and impact for people and trees through the support and involvement of our dedicated staff, volunteers, community partners, donors, members and visitors, and trustees. Check out this video about our collaborative work throughout 2024 toward a greener, healthier, more beautiful world where people and trees thrive together. #MortonArboretum #PerennialReport2024 #Trees #Innovation #Growth

We are delighted to announce two exceptional additions to The Morton Arboretum’s Board of Trustees: Dr. Milan Mrksich and Curtis Reed Jr. Their noteworthy backgrounds and expertise will greatly contribute to our mission and vision. Dr. Milan Mrksich is the Henry Wade Rogers Professor at Northwestern University with groundbreaking work in biomedical engineering, chemistry, and cell and developmental biology. He is a leader in the science and engineering of materials that contact biological environments. He previously served as Vice President for Research at Northwestern, with numerous prestigious honors and awards. With 28 years in the banking industry, Curtis Reed is Head of Government and Healthcare, Higher Education, and Not-For-Profit Banking at JPMorgan Chase. Prior to that, he was the Region Manager for Chase’s Middle Market banking operations for the Chicagoland Region since 2017. Curtis is deeply involved in many associations, serving on boards including the Civic Consulting Alliance and Local Initiatives Support Corporation. Please join us in welcoming Milan and Curtis to our Board of Trustees!