UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden

UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden We steward our campus as a resource for inviting the community to become environmental leaders, for visitors to learn about UC Davis and so much more!
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Come visit anytime; we are free and open to the public 24/7. The Arboretum gardens are open 24 hours a day, every day of the year, and there is no charge for admission. The map marker shown here indicates the location of the Arboretum Headquarters, our administrative offices, which are open M-F from 8 a.m.-noon and 1-5 p.m. The Arboretum occupies 100 acres along the banks of the old north channel

of Putah Creek, in California's Central Valley. Our collections include 22,000 trees and plants adapted to a Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. The plants are arranged in a series of gardens that represent different geographic areas, plant groups, or horticultural themes.

It may look like a lot of dirt right now, but an important transformation is underway along the western edge of West Vil...
09/02/2026

It may look like a lot of dirt right now, but an important transformation is underway along the western edge of West Village student housing. The Arboretum and Public Garden naturalized lands team has started disking the soil in preparation for seeding the area with California native grasses and wildflowers.

This is just the beginning. Over the coming year, the young landscape will need time and space to establish, so please respect the temporary fencing and help give these new plants their best chance to thrive.

This project is especially fitting as we celebrate the Arboretum and Public Garden's 90th anniversary: applying decades of experience with plants, people and place to grow a more resilient future for UC Davis.

🔗 Follow the project and learn about future opportunities to help with planting: https://arboretum.ucdavis.edu/news/new-habitat-corridor-take-root-west-village

Image descriptions

Image 1: Rear view of a green tractor pulling a large disk implement to prepare soil for planting at the West Village Habitat Corridor. The six-acre project site stretches into the distance beside West Village buildings and orange construction fencing.

Image 2: Arboretum and Public Garden staff member drives a green tractor while disking soil at the future West Village Habitat Corridor. Orange construction fencing separates the site from a street and West Village buildings in the background.

Join us for Second Saturday; Community Volunteer Day in the Good Life Garden. Together, we’ll clear warm-weather crops, ...
08/31/2026

Join us for Second Saturday; Community Volunteer Day in the Good Life Garden. Together, we’ll clear warm-weather crops, plant cool-season vegetables and care for nearby perennial beds.

📅 Saturday, Sept. 12
⏰ 8:30–11 a.m.
📍 Good Life Garden at the Robert Mondavi Institute for W**e and Food Science (392 Old Davis Rd., Davis, CA)

No gardening experience is needed, and everyone age 18 and older is welcome. Come give back, meet fellow garden enthusiasts and help us cultivate the next chapter of the Arboretum’s 90-year story!

REGISTER NOW: https://ucdavis.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_aVuGV2CGeYnimea

P.S. Did you know that we're turning 90 this year? Learn more here: https://arboretum.ucdavis.edu/90-years

Image description: Student wearing glasses and gardening gloves kneels next to a raised planter bed with small seedlings and an irrigation tube.

What does 90 years grow? At the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden, it’s much more than trees and gardens. It’s genera...
08/27/2026

What does 90 years grow? At the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden, it’s much more than trees and gardens. It’s generations of students who learned by doing, volunteers who gave their time, researchers who tested new ideas and community members who helped make this place what it is today.
As we celebrate our 90th anniversary, we’re looking back at those deep roots — and ahead to what they’re helping us grow next.

Explore Deep Roots, Bold Future: Arboretum at 90: https://arboretum.ucdavis.edu/blog/deep-roots-bold-future-arboretum-90

Image descriptions:
A volunteer tends plants beneath a large tree at the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden. Text reads “90 Years” and “Volunteers.”

Two smiling UC Davis student volunteers in Arboretum and Public Garden shirts pose together while wearing gardening gloves. Text reads “Students.”

Community members gather behind a large blue-and-green mosaic depicting a leafy branch. Text reads “Community Members.”

A researcher stands beside a bicycle in the Arboretum, holding tubing and field equipment used to collect data. Text reads “Researchers.”

Kinda chic to grow your skills, your community and your résumé!At the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden, students don...
08/20/2026

Kinda chic to grow your skills, your community and your résumé!

At the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden, students don’t just learn about sustainability, horticulture and environmental stewardship — they get hands-on experience making a difference on campus and beyond.

Through Learning by Leading™, students can build real-world skills, take on leadership roles, connect with a community and gain experience that can help shape what comes next.

Right now, there are a bunch of job and internship opportunities available across our programs.

Learn more: https://arboretum.ucdavis.edu/tags/student-job-opportunity

Image descriptions

1.Support biodiversity — A UC Davis student stands with field equipment amid grasses beside the Arboretum Waterway. Text reads, “Kinda chic to support biodiversity.”
2. Two students stand at a podium giving a presentation at a conference. Text reads, “Kinda chic to present at national conferences.”
3. Seven Arboretum and Public Garden team members pose with an award at a national public gardens conference. Text reads, “Kinda chic to win national awards.”
4. Three students relax in red Adirondack chairs on a lawn, blowing bubbles beneath tall trees. Text reads, “Kinda chic to heal in nature.”
5. Students use shovels to plant a tree on the UC Davis campus. Text reads, “Kinda chic to plant urban forests.”
6. A joyful group of students in orange aprons jump in the air among rows of plants at the Arboretum Teaching Nursery. Text reads, “Kinda chic to propagate, grow and sell plants.”
7. Warren Roberts leads an outdoor tour in front of a colorful botanical mural as visitors listen. Text reads, “Kinda chic to Walk with Warren.”
9. A smiling volunteer wearing gloves kneels beside a green bucket while w**ding a grassy garden area. Text reads, “Kinda chic to W**d Out Stress.”
10. A group of students, staff and volunteers pose together after working in a lush wetland area beside the Arboretum Waterway. Text reads, “Kinda chic to garden sustainably.”
11. A large group of UC Davis students and staff pose together among rows of plants at the Arboretum Teaching Nursery. Text reads, “Kinda chic to Learn by Leading.”

Join us! We are hiring UC Davis student staff and interns for both paid or academic credit positions. There are so many ...
08/19/2026

Join us! We are hiring UC Davis student staff and interns for both paid or academic credit positions. There are so many possibilities for building your environmental leadership skills including social media staff, photographer, urban tree steward and much, much more! Application deadlines vary from Aug. 20 thru Sept. 8!! Check out all the possibilities: https://arboretum.ucdavis.edu/tags/student-job-opportunity

Image descriptions:

Putah Creek Riparian Reserve fieldwork
Two people in waders conduct fieldwork in a tree-lined waterway, using equipment installed along the streambank.

Future Favorite plants
UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden student holds two colorful “Future Favorite” climate-ready plant signs at a nursery.

Photographer among citrus trees
Student photographs ripe citrus fruit growing on a tree in a lush garden.

Group planting on lawn
Students work together to plant a young tree in a grassy area outside a campus building.

Planting near parking area
A group works together to install a young plant in a landscaped area beside a campus parking lot.

Outdoor gathering
Students and community members gather on a campus lawn while two Learnin by Leading Arboretum Ambassadors speak to the group.

Habitat restoration
A person stands with a shovel beside a restored waterway habitat planted with young native trees and wetland vegetation.

08/18/2026

Join the Urban Bumblebee Nesting Project! Use this link to learn more and sign up https://www.melaniekimball.com/help-collect-data

Postdoctoral Researcher Melanie Kimball is looking for community members within 30 miles of Davis, CA to help researchers understand how the use of pesticides in urban environments may affect bumblebee nesting success and foraging behavior.

As a volunteer, you’ll:
- Host a bumblebee nest box starting October–November 2026 in your outdoor space
- Check it once a week for about 5 minutes
- Report activity through a short online form
- Optionally share photos
- Help advance research that supports pollinator conservation and informs pesticide regulation

No bee handling or special equipment required and you don’t need to use pesticides in your yard to participate. Sign up to join the Urban Bumblebee Nesting Project and be part of the research!

Learn more and join today!: https://www.melaniekimball.com/help-collect-data

Follow Urban Bumblebee Nesting Project !

Apply by Sept. 1 to join the Learning by Leading™ Nursery Management and Plant Propagation internship team for a year of...
08/07/2026

Apply by Sept. 1 to join the Learning by Leading™ Nursery Management and Plant Propagation internship team for a year of hands-on learning in the Arboretum Teaching Nursery.

This internship is almost entirely outdoors (regardless of weather) and gives students experience with plant propagation, pruning techniques, w**d and pest management, irrigation maintenance, phytosanitary best practices, and tree production methods for a retail nursery. Interns will also work with California natives and other drought-tolerant, climate-adapted ornamental and edible plants, while building skills in public engagement and event support through Plant Sales and other Arboretum and Public Garden events.

Fall 2026 meeting time is Fridays from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., starting September 25. Interns should expect to complete about 3 hours of work each week. There will be no meetings during Thanksgiving week or finals week. Volunteer help is also required at our plant sales Oct. 3, Oct. 31 and Nov. 14.

Apply by Tuesday, September 1, 2026: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdBaxhYLUwtsq_pzwPCBXhN31Q1SjAovArIp_BWLKdBRuX36A/viewform

SATURDAY HELP NEEDED at Seed n' W**d event!8:30 AM — Learn to collect and sow native seeds for the Arboretum's collectio...
08/05/2026

SATURDAY HELP NEEDED at Seed n' W**d event!

8:30 AM — Learn to collect and sow native seeds for the Arboretum's collections.
9:45ish AM — Just as the sun starts flexing, we'll relocate you to w**d around the Arboretum Teaching Nursery — which happens to be shaded!

The fine print:
🧤 Gloves, hats, and water bottles strongly encouraged
🌻 Zero plant experience required

Learn more and register today! https://ucdavis.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3yi8Sfap6f7Jt8q

Image 1:
Alt text: A volunteer wearing a cap, sunglasses, and a blue pullover kneels in tall grass, smiling at the camera while placing w**ds into a green bucket. Dense trees and shrubs fill the background.

Image 2:
Alt text: A volunteer with hair pulled up, wearing a gray t-shirt and jeans, smiles while bending down to pull w**ds from a grassy area. A green bucket sits nearby, with trees in the background.

Image 3:
Alt text: Two volunteers wearing caps and pink gloves crouch in a garden bed planting small seedlings, surrounded by orange California poppies. A green wheelbarrow sits to the left, with a building visible in the background.

Apply by Aug. 20! Become a Learning by Leading Habitat Horticulture intern! Love plants, pollinators and working outdoor...
07/30/2026

Apply by Aug. 20! Become a Learning by Leading Habitat Horticulture intern! Love plants, pollinators and working outdoors? Work alongside fellow students to help create and care for habitats that support biodiversity while gaining hands-on experience in:

🌼 Garden maintenance
🐝 Pollinator habitat
🌱 Climate-ready gardening
🌿 Native and climate-adapted plants
📚 Environmental education
🤝 Leadership and teamwork

This year-long internship meets Fridays, 2–5 p.m. every week and offers students the opportunity to earn 1 unit of academic credit per quarter.

Learn more and apply: https://arboretum.ucdavis.edu/news/join-our-habitat-horticulture-internship-team

Whether you're interested in horticulture, ecology, environmental science or simply want to make a difference on campus, this internship offers practical skills and meaningful experience.

Image descriptions:

Image 1: Habitat Horticulture interns preparing a planting site
A line of UC Davis student interns uses landscape rakes to prepare a planting area for a habitat restoration project at the Arboretum and Public Garden.

Image 2: Students planting in the Arboretum
Two UC Davis student interns kneel in a garden bed planting flowering perennials in the Arboretum while working together to enhance habitat for pollinators and other wildlife.

Image 3: Students at a plant sale
Two UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden student interns smile as they hold up packets of seeds at a plant sale, inviting visitors to create pollinator-friendly gardens.

Wood ducks: "We didn't see a sign." These new logs were installed by our Waterway Stewardship team to create basking hab...
07/30/2026

Wood ducks: "We didn't see a sign." These new logs were installed by our Waterway Stewardship team to create basking habitat for native Western pond turtles. As it turns out, the local wood ducks are fans too. We can't say whether this was a scheduled meeting or just good timing, but we're glad we were there to witness it!

Thank you to our Waterway Steward Ina Rommeck for capturing this great photo!

Alt Text: Image of western pond turtle and wood duck sharing a log along the edge of a waterway with long grasses in the background.

Address

448 La Rue Road
Davis, CA
95616

Telephone

(530) 752-4880

Website

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