Each month we offer a variety of programs to inspire, teach and engage. All Connecticut College Arboretum programs are open to the public and many of our programs are free or available at a discounted rate with membership and for current Connecticut College students. 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 healthy community. 

 

FEATURED PROGRAM:

Connecticut’s three leading organizations in arboriculture and urban forestry, in partnership with the Connecticut College Arboretum, will co-host a one-day conference at Connecticut College in New London. Join the Connecticut Tree Protective Association, the Tree Wardens’ Association of Connecticut, and the Connecticut Urban Forest Council on March 18, 2026, as we celebrate these partnerships and explore the many ways trees bring us together. Presentations will be of interest to urban foresters, arborists, tree wardens, community volunteers and advocates, tree enthusiasts, landscape architects, nursery professionals, students, city planners, and engineers.

REGISTRATION

Event page, details, directions, and registration are available through the CTPA website

Branching Out Together - CTPA (Connecticut Tree Protective Association)

 

TICKET PRICING:

Early Bird Pricing Ends March 1st (after March 1st each ticket category will increase by $15.00)

Member of CTPA, TWAC, or the Conn College Arboretum: $60

Non-Member: $75

Student: $30

Community-Based Organization*: $30

*This ticket is only available for participants involved in community-based organizations, such as Tree Commissions, Boards, Non-Profits, Faith Based Organizations, Park Friends’ Groups, Land Trusts, and others working in urban forestry or adjacent sectors. Please do not register for this ticket level if you are a municipal employee or have the ability to pay the member or non-member rate. The reduced cost of this ticket is supported by our sponsors and is intentionally kept low to encourage a broad attendance.

AGENDA

The agenda is available here.

Mamacoke Brook Restoration Project
Public Information Session

Tuesday, February 17
6 p.m.
FREE and open to the public
Registration not required.
 
Join us for an informational session to learn about the planned stabilization of Mamacoke Brook, an eroding watercourse, which runs from Mohegan Avenue (Route 32) downstream to the south cove of Mamacoke and the Thames River. As observed over two decades of study by College researchers, increased bank erosion is responsible for introducing excess sediment to the Thames River and Long Island Sound, undermining existing trees, compromising aquatic habitat, and damaging existing infrastructure including trails and pedestrian bridges. 

Connecticut College is in the early phases of design, which involves stabilizing the existing channel and implementing a robust riparian buffer including native trees, shrubs, and grasses. Existing recreational opportunities may be temporarily impacted during the short construction period, but a goal of the project is to enhance these opportunities and to consider the established public uses. Presenters will include Connecticut College faculty and project team members. Funding for this project comes from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. The lead investigator for this project is Professor Doug Thompson with support from Professors Maria Rosa and Anthony Graesch.

This public information session will be held in the Arboretum center for education and research at 33 Gallows Lane (New London, CT 06320). 

 

 

 

Solomon's Seal flowers in sunlight

John H. Sargent Gallery Exhibit Reception

Wednesday, February 18

4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.

FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Come meet the artist!
See the "In Our Gallery" section below for more information about John and his exhibit.

Maple syrup group standing around tree

Tap Into Maple Sugar Production

Saturday, February 21

1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

COST: $20 -or- $10 for members of the Connecticut College Arboretum

Enjoy time outdoors making one of nature’s sweet treats. Maple syrup starts to run in late winter when temperatures climb above freezing during the day and drop back below freezing at night. Participants will learn how to identify different species of maple trees, install a spile and safely produce syrup with Jim Luce, Retired Supervisor of Grounds.
 
Meet in the Olin Science Center lounge. 
 
It is recommended that participants dress in layers as portions of this program will take place outdoors.
 
NOTE: In the case of inclement weather, this program will be held the following Saturday, February 28 from 1 pm to 3 pm.
 

REGISTER HERE

Building Layers for Biodiversity

Saturday, February 28
11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
FREE and open to the public
Registration Required (see below)

Program by Anna Fialkoff, Connecticut College Arboretum Horticulturist
 
A native plant garden should contain all the layers— from ground to canopy— to fill every open niche for wildlife habitat and to hold its own against invading weeds. Learn how to group trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants together for maximum impact and beauty for a variety of situations & growing conditions. Anna will also share her top plant picks for pollinators and birds and highlight how the Connecticut College Arboretum can be an educational resource and inspiration for native plant pollinator gardeners.
 
This program is hosted by the Lyme Pollinator Pathway & Pollinator Pathway East Lyme and will be held at the Lyme Public Hall 249 Hamburg Rd. (Rte. 156) in Lyme, CT 06371

RSVP to lymepollinator1@gmail.com

Basket Making Workshop

Saturday, March 14

1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

COST: $40 -or- $30 for members

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.
 

THIS WORKSHOP IS FULL
Please Click here if you woulD like to add your name to the waitlist

Vernal Pools Walk

Saturday, March 28

9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

COST: $10 -or- FREE for members
Registration Required.

Each spring, as snow melts and temperatures rise, vernal pools come to life! Many amphibian species (such as the salamander pictured above) rely on vernal pools for breeding, and unique plants and insects can be found in these seasonal wetlands as well. Join the CT Audubon Society to search the vernal pools that dot the Connecticut College Arboretum and look in the other wetland habitats on the property for amphibians, birds, insects, and more!

This program is held in partnership with the Connecticut Audubon Society

Logo of the Connecticut Audubon Society

 REGISTRATION LINK COMING SOON

In Our Gallery

January/February

John H. Sargent Nature Photography Exhibit

Free and open to the public.

An exhibit of nature photography by John H. Sargent is on display in the Connecticut College Arboretum Gallery through the end of February.

About the Artist and the Exhibit

John H. Sargent has been living and working as an artist in Southeastern Connecticut for more than thirty-five years and is a keen observer of the birds and plants that inhabit the lands, waters and skies of the region. Though his primary artistic pursuit is landscape painting, he is also interested in nature photography. The photos in this exhibit were all taken in the Connecticut College Arboretum’s Native Plant Collection, Goodwin Natural Area, and Mamacoke Natural Area.

John has worked in many mediums, including digital photography, traditional Chinese painting, acrylic, oil, watercolor painting and nature printing. He was an art teacher at the Williams School in New London from 1983 until 2006. From 2006 until 2012 he was an Artist in Residence at the ISAAC School, a charter school middle school in New London. Currently he works out of his home studio in Quaker Hill mostly creating paintings for display in the workplaces of non-profit organizations. To learn more about John’s artwork please visit his website at http://www.johnhsargent.com

The Connecticut College Arboretum Gallery is located in the Arboretum Center for Education & Research (ACER) building at 33 Gallows Lane New London CT 06320.

The gallery is free and open to the public Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For information about exhibiting your artwork in the Connecticut College Arboretum gallery space, please email arbor@conncoll.edu. The Connecticut College Arboretum gallery space displays nature-related art. Any medium type will be considered. 

FREE Guided Tours

Tours start at 10 a.m. on the first and second Sunday of each month from May thru October.

Our free guided tours are open to the public and pre-registration is not required. 

Native Plant Collection (1st Sunday of the month)

Tours of the Native Plant Collection meet at the entrance gate to the Native Plant Collection located on Williams Street across from the Williams Street entrance to the Connecticut College main campus.

2026 tour dates: May 3, June 7, July 5, August 2, September 6, October 4

Caroline Black Garden (2nd Sunday of the month)

Tours of the Caroline Black Garden meet at the entrance to the Caroline Black Garden located on behind the Vinal Cottage across Mohegan Avenue from the main entrance to the Connecticut College campus. Access to the parking area behind Vinal Cottage is located at 4 Winchester Avenue.

2026 tour dates: May 10, June 14, July 12, August 9, September 13, October 11

Campus Tree Collection (3rd Sunday on select months)

Learn about the incredible variety of native and landscape specimen trees planted throughout the main campus of Connecticut College. Tours of the Campus Tree Collection meet at the New London Hall Greenhouse (by the blue sculpture).

2026 tour dates: May 17, June 21, October 18

 

 

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 home 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.