Morton Arboretum

Learning and engagement: programs, services, and opportunities are relevant to public needs and interests in learning about plants and nature in ways that provide meaningful experiences and improve the world. Based in the thornhill education center, classes and other offerings on site, online, and through outreach programs serve adults, youth and family audiences, schools, and scouts. Also available are teacher-training resources and a cooperative botany degree program with regional colleges and universities. The sterling morton library, with 117,000 items, contains publications on botany, horticulture, natural history, and ecology; botanical artworks; rare books, periodicals, and catalogs; information is also accessible online. The plant clinic answers inquiries about plant selection and care.

Science and conservation: the center for tree science generates and communicates the scientific knowledge and technical expertise necessary to understand and sustain trees and their ecosystems, in all their diversity, in built environments, natural landscapes, and living collections. The arboretum houses research labs and a herbarium with a collection of 216,500 dried specimens for botanical research. Through the global tree conservation programs, the arboretum leads partnerships and assists efforts to prevent tree extinction and secure threatened tree species, with a focus on oaks. The chicago region trees initiative develops strategies for urban tree and forest improvement, advocating for trees in communities throughout the chicago region and the state of illinois. Arbnet, facilitated by the morton arboretum, is an interactive professional community of arboreta and an arboretum accreditation program that fosters advancements among tree-focused gardens.

Visitor programs: welcomed 1,156,732 visitors, maintaining the institution as one of the most visited public gardens in north america. Served membership of 55,269 households. Open every day of the year the arboretum features 16 miles of hiking trails and 9 miles of paved roads for driving, bicycling, or guided tram tours. Specialty gardens include the grand garden, 4-acre children's garden, 1-acre maze garden. The visitor center houses interpretive displays, the arboretum store, and the gingko restaurant. Special events and thematic exhibitions are offered throughout the year. Conference and banquet facilities are available for rental.