Note: The Visitor Center remains closed following UW–Madison guidance. See the events calendar for virtual and in-person events. COVID-19 updates»

Arboretum Classes

Classes at the Arboretum offer in-depth coverage of topics and explore ways humans interact with the environment, delving into natural history, conservation, restoration, Arboretum history, and the arts. For paid classes, refunds will be given while registration is open, minus a $10 service fee.

Advance registration is required. You will receive two automated email acknowledgements after you register: One is a payment confirmation, the other is a registration confirmation listing the class you’re attending. Save these emails for your records.

A few days before virtual classes, you will receive an email with a calendar invite and a link to access the talk.

Nature Poetry Reading and Writing Class

Wednesdays, June 9, 16, 23, and 30, 10:30 a.m.–12 p.m.

Walk the trails and discuss poetry selections for inspiration. Learn how to take poets’ notes and dabble in sketching nature illustrations. These in-person class will be held outdoors; wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and come prepared for weather and insects. Session is four classes, June 9, 16, 23, and 30; no single-day registrations. More details will be emailed in early June. Instructor: Troy Hess. Fee: $60. (Rain dates are Thursdays, same time.)

Registration is closed.

Annual Learning Programs

Native Gardening Conference

Held every September at the Arboretum, the Native Gardening Conference promotes sustainable gardening practices and use of native plants in home landscapes. We inspire and inform gardeners, homeowners, and landowners to create and maintain native gardens or small-scale restorations on their own property. The program welcomes people with a range of interests and experience.

Winter Enrichment

The Arboretum’s long-running Winter Enrichment series offers lectures for naturalists in the greater Madison area as well as for volunteers, friends, and community members as space allows. The ten-week series runs January to March. See the Winter Enrichment page for more information.

Friends of the Arboretum Luncheon-Lectures

The Luncheon-Lectures series, organized by Friends of the Arboretum, presents monthly talks with a catered lunch. Friends receive priority registration, but talks are open to anyone as space allows.