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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.

Fall Native Plant Sale

PLANT PICK-UP and WALK-IN SALE HOURS:
Friday afternoon September 18 (3 to 6 p.m.) and Saturday morning, September 19 (10 a.m. to 12 p.m.)
33 Gallows Lane, New London, CT

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The Wild Ones Mountain Laurel Chapter and Connecticut College Arboretum 6th Annual Fall Native Plant Sale

ONLINE ORDERING
We will have more than 40 types of woody plants (tree, shrub, vine) and 34 types of herbaceous plants (flowering perennials, grasses, ferns) to order online for pickup in September.  Online orders will be accepted through August 30.  
PICK-UP & WALK-IN SALE HOURS
Friday afternoon September 18, 2026 (3 to 6 p.m.)
Saturday morning, September 19, 2026 (10 a.m. to 12 p.m.)
33 Gallows Lane, New London, CT
Cash, check and credit card payments will be accepted for walk-in sales. (Sorry but we do not accept e-payments)
Both commercially grown and member-donated plants will be available on a first come, first served basis during pick-up hours.  Here we will feature many different types of local ecotype forbs, grasses, sedges and ferns including species and sizes not available for advance ordering. 
DONATIONS
We would love to have extra native plants from your garden for the event!
If you have plants to donate, please review our plant sharing guidelines.
Deliver plants to 33 Gallows Lane (canopy in the parking lot) from Monday, Sept 14 through Thursday, Sept 17.
Plants will be moved to a holding area at the end of each day.
If you need to make special arrangements for plant drop-off, contact Scott D’Agostino at sdagostin@conncoll.edu or (860) 439-2144.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
We will need many volunteers to prepare for the plant sale on Sept 17 and 18 and more to staff various stations during the sale on Sept 18 and 19. 
SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER  

In Our Gallery - John Shelby Schmidt

Wednesday, August 12 through Wednesday, September 30 
Arboretum Gallery, 33 Gallows Lane, New London, CT
FREE and open to the public Monday - Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Welcome to Nature's Garden: Images of The Connecticut College Arboretum and Coastal Communities 

Coastal Clean Up

2026 Coastal Clean-Up at Ocean Beach Park

Saturday, September 12
7:30 to 10:00 a.m.
Ocean Beach Park, 98 Neptune Avenue, New London CT
Registration required.

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Help clean up our Connecticut coastline!  Do your part to save the Sound, birds and aquatic wildlife!

Join students from the Connecticut College Arboretum and the Connecticut College Rowing Team to remove trash and debris from our waterways. Our 2026 clean-up location will be Ocean Beach Park.  This is part of the International Coastal Clean-up Weekend

Please meet at Ocean Beach Park located at 98 Neptune Ave, New London, CT 06320

For safety, please wear long pants, long sleeves, socks, and closed-toe shoes.  Bring gloves or gloves will be provided.

Registration required to have contact information in case of cancellation due to weather.

Mamacoke Island Fall Bird Walk

Saturday, September 12, 2 to 4 p.m.
Mamacoke Island, Quaker Hill, CT
$10 -or- FREE for members of the Connecticut College Arboretum or Connecticut Audubon Society
Registration required. Space is limited.

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Fall is one of the best times to go birding in Connecticut, with lots of species making their way south for the winter. Located near the mouth of the Thames River, the Mamacoke Island Natural Area attracts a wide variety of migrating birds, with upland forests, brushy fields, and salt marshes.

The walk will be approximately 1-1.5 miles on mostly level dirt and grassy terrain, with one slightly steeper section. Some areas may have standing water, so proper footwear is encouraged. No restrooms on site.
This program is in partnership with the Connecticut Audubon Society. Please register through the Connecticut Audubon Society HERE.   

Goodwin Natural Area History Hike

Tuesday, September 29, 5 to 7 p.m.
[Rain Date: Tuesday, October 6, 5 to 7 p.m.]
33 Gallows Lane
FREE; Space is limited, Registration required.

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Join Anthony Graesch, Professor of Anthropology, on a moderate hike through the Goodwin Natural Area to learn about the colonial history of the land and the evidence that can still be seen that speak to its previous agricultural use. 

This program will meet at 33 Gallows Lane, New London. Parking is available on site.

This program will require hiking on a trail along uneven terrain of moderate difficulty. Please wear appropriate shoes/footwear.

Space is limited, registration requested. Please register HERE.

NPC

Native Plant Collection Free Guided Tour

Sunday, September 6, October 4
10 a.m., open to the public and pre-registration not required.
Meet at the entrance gate located at approximately 830 Williams Street.   

Caroline Black Garden Free Guided Tour

Sunday, September 13, October 11
10 a.m., open to the public and pre-registration not required.
Park and meet at 4 Winchester Avenue, behind Vinal Cottage across from the Mohegan Avenue main College entrance.   

Campus Tree Collection Free Guided Tour

Sunday, September 20, October 18
10:00 a.m., open to the public and pre-registration not required.
Meet at the New London Hall Greenhouse (by the blue sculpture) to the right after entering the main College entrance gatehouse.



Annual Events

Fall Native Plant Sale

UPCOMING DATES:  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.

Small American Lawns Today (SALT) Conference

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

Arbor Day 2027

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.

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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