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We offer a variety of programs to inspire, teach and engage. Programs are open to the public and many of our programs are free or available at a discounted rate with membership. Some programs require registration to confirm your spot. Email arbor@conncoll.edu if you need assistance.  Connecticut College is committed to maintaining a safe and community.
Visit us on facebook @ConnecticutCollegeArboretum to stay up to date on our programs and events. To receive advance notice of programs you can sign up to get our monthly email newsletter on the Arboretum Get Involved page. You don't have to be a member to receive notifications but we would appreciate your support of becoming a member if you are not one already.

2026 SALT Conference

Saturday, November 7, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. 
Cummings Art Center, Connecticut College
$75 -or- $60 for members of the Connecticut College Arboretum and/or Wild Ones
Registration required; space is limited.

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LIVING ON THE EDGE: Designing the transition from landscape to forest

The transition zone between a cultivated landscape and a natural forested area provides unique opportunities (and challenges!) in a home landscape. The strategic use of native understory trees and shrubs can provide screening and other important landscape functions as well as expanding your seasonal interest and support for native pollinators/wildlife.

Full-day conference includes morning coffee/continental breakfast, three presentations, lunch, a panel discussion and an optional tour.
Seating is limited. Registration required.
Registration fee is $75.00 or a discounted rate of $60.00 is offered for current members of the Connecticut College Arboretum and Wild Ones.

Connecticut College students, non-profit representatives and/or emerging industry professionals may apply for a limited number of sponsored or discounted registrations by submitting a letter of interest to arbor@conncoll.edu expressing how their attendance to this conference will benefit their professional goals or ecological projects.
 

CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE SALT PAGE FOR FULL SESSION INFO AND SPEAKER BIOS

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Basket Making Workshop

Wednesday, November 18, 5 to 8:00 p.m.
Arboretum Center at 33 Gallows Lane
$40 -or- $30 for members, Registration required, space is limited.

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Basket making is an important tradition in the heritage of Indigenous people. In this workshop, Manuel Lizarralde, Professor of Botany and Anthropology, will lead participants in making a basket of traditional design using rattan reeds. Space is limited, register early.

Please register HERE.

A couple displays the wreath they made at the Wreath-Making Workshop

Wreath-Making Workshop

Saturday, December 5, 10 a.m. to 12 noon
Arboretum center at 33 Gallows Lane, New London
$50 -or- $35 for members of the Connecticut College Arboretum
Registration required, space is limited.

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This festive Arboretum event is a tradition during the holiday season! Assistant Director Scott D'Agostino will lead participants in creating their own holiday wreath using greens cut fresh from the Connecticut College Arboretum.

Bring hand pruners, garden gloves and any decorative items you wish to incorporate into your wreath. Greens, wire and wreath frames will be provided.

Please register HERE.



Annual Events

Small American Lawns Today (SALT) Conference

UPCOMING DATE:  Saturday, November 7, 2026
Full-day conference exploring ecologically-sound practices for designing and developing naturalistic landscapes that offer an alternative vision to traditional landscapes characterized by the typical monoculture lawn.  

A student takes a photo for the annual photo contest

Photo Contest

UPCOMING ENTRY SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Sunday, March 28, 2027
UPCOMING WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT: Saturday, April 24, 2027 at our Arbor Day Celebration
Our annual photo contest invites photographers to enter their best photos of the Connecticut College Arboretum from throughout the year.   A panel of judges selects winning images from four categories: Community Adult, Community Youth, Connecticut College Student and Connecticut College Faculty/Staff.  Winning images are featured in a gallery exhibit in May at the Arboretum Center at 33 Gallows Lane and also printed onto a set of postcards.

For full information including a link to submit your images, go to the Photo Contest page.

Arbor Day Celebration

UPCOMING DATE:  Saturday, April 24, 2027
Our annual Arbor Day event is a family-friendly day of activities celebrating trees.  The day features an educational display and craft activities for children.  Tree planting demonstrations, free guided tours of the Arboretum and information about arboriculture tools and equipment by local arborists will be take place at 33 Gallows Lane.

Music in the Meadow

UPCOMING DATE:  Friday, June 4, 2027
Our annual outdoor evening concert features a curated group of local bands/musicians performing in the Outdoor Theater of Connecticut College Arboretum.

Shakespeare in the Arboretum

UPCOMING DATES:  Select weekends in July and August 2027 
For over 30 years, Flock Theater has hosted two Shakespearean plays in the Outdoor Theater of Connecticut College Arboretum during the summer months.

Fall Native Plant Sale

Friday, September 18 and Saturday, September 19, 2026
Connecticut College Arboretum partners with the Mountain Laurel Chapter of Wild Ones and offers a selection of native trees, shrubs, vines and perennials for sale.  Pre-ordering for trees and shrubs is available online during the month of August.

Arboretum Office

P: 860-439-5020 E: arbor@conncoll.edu

Mailing Address

Connecticut College Arboretum
270 Mohegan Avenue
New London, CT 06320

 

Main office

33 Gallows Lane, Suite 114
New London, CT 06320

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Connecticut College
270 Mohegan Avenue
New London, CT 06320
admission@conncoll.edu
1 (860) 447-1911
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Connecticut College is an equal opportunity employer. The College complies with all federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and ordinances prohibiting discrimination in private post-secondary education institutions. The College does not discriminate against any employee, applicant for employment, student, or applicant for admission on the basis of the following protected characteristics: age, citizenship status, color, creed, disability (physical or mental), domestic violence victim status, ethnicity, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information (including family medical history), lawful source of income, marital status, national origin (including ancestry), pregnancy or related conditions, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran or military status (including disabled veteran; recently separated veteran; active-duty, wartime, or campaign badge veteran; and Armed Forces Service Medal veteran), any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.