News
Impact Report 2023-24
March 4, 2025
We're Hiring
March 4, 2025
March 4, 2025
Norrie's Plant Availability List
April 1, 2024
Norrie's Gift & Garden Shop is open for indoor and outdoor shopping. Our availability list includes plants available in person and in our online store, shopucscarboretum.com. Shop early for best selection.
Retired faculty member Linda Anderson connects to her nature-loving roots volunteering at the Arboretum
August 31, 2023
Retired UCSC marine sciences instructor and researcher grew up appreciating California native plants. Now as a retiree, she leads volunteer groups and projects to celebrate Santa Cruz’s local ecology.
Golden-crowned sparrows return to overwintering sites in part because of their friends
July 31, 2023
Golden-crowned sparrows return to the same wintering sites each year after migrating thousands of miles. But their precision — which is often within the tens of meters — depends in part on the return of their friends.
UCSC Arboretum to conduct vegetation surveys under $2.6M state contract
June 26, 2023
A team of UCSC botanists will carry out surveys for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife in support of a statewide vegetation classification and mapping program.
Bird Tours
November 02, 2022
TUESDAY mornings at 9:15am. Meet your guide in the visitor parking lot by the second Welcome Map sign. Walks will be about 1-1.5 hours
First Saturday Garden Tour
November 02, 2022
The first Saturday of each month, the Arboretum offers a docent or staff-led tour of the Arboretum. Free with your paid admission
Australian Rock Garden a Resource for Home Gardeners
August 14, 2022
Tom Karwin's "On Gardening" column in the Santa Cruz Sentinel discusses the Arboretum's wonderful Australian Rock Garden as a resource for gardeners
Sunday, May 1, UCSC Arboretum & Botanic Garden 2022 Annual Member Meeting
April 12, 2022
After 2 years of Covid delays and complications, we are bringing back our annual members meeting and, like most things now, it will look a little different.
Hummingbird Day March 19
March 1, 2022
Saturday, March 19th is Hummingbird Day -- a morning of bird walks, photography tips, and even a couple of activities for kids.
Applications for the California Naturalist Program are closed, March 1, 2022
January 31, 2022
The Arboretum's California Naturalist Program. Participants learn about California's incredible biodiversity and earn California Naturalist State certification. Applications closed on March 1, 2022
Hummingbird Month
January 28, 2022
Come celebrate the beginning of hummingbird migration season with a visit to the Arboretum!
Reviving deep-rooted knowledge
November 23, 2021
The Amah Mutsun Relearning Program at the Arboretum & Botanic Garden aims to assist the tribe's efforts in cultural revitalization, recuperation and relearning of dormant cultural knowledge, and environmental justice.
Gift and Wreath Sale
November 02, 2021
Looking for the perfect gifts and decorations for Thanksgiving and the holiday season? Come to the Arboretum's Annual Gift & Wreath Sale for a great selection of locally hand-made gifts and more!
Arboretum News: Admission Fee Increase as of July 1
July 1, 2021
Our admission fees are increasing to support our operations. Also: join us for our inaugural Raptor Day on Saturday, July 17! Read the full newsletter for details.
Retirement Announcement: Melinda Kralj, Curator of Collections
June 25, 2021
Melinda Kralj, Curator of Collections, retires at the end of June 2021.
Stay in Touch
June 4, 2021
Subscribe to our email newsletter to stay connected and learn about upcoming events, featured plants, and more! Click through for our signup form.
Arboretum News: Plan Your Summer Garden
June 3, 2021
Learn about garden plant selection in harmony with our coastal climate. As part of our Ray Collett Lecture Series, award-winning photographer Saxon Holt presents "Gardening in Summer-Dry Climates." Read the full newsletter for a more information about this webinar presentation.
SF Chronicle features UC Santa Cruz Arboretum
May 23, 2021
The San Francisco Chronicle features the UC Santa Cruz Arboretum & Botanic Garden in a special section on outdoor adventures in Santa Cruz.
Arboretum News: Get Involved with our Upcoming Events!
April 23, 2021
The UC Santa Cruz Arboretum & Botanical Garden is hosting a SOD Blitz sample collection station outside our entrance gate, beginning this Saturday, April 24 at 9 a.m. Read the full newsletter to learn more and see our full calendar of upcoming events, including our Ray Collect Lecture Series now in a webinar format.
Volunteer Appreciation and In Memoriam
April 20, 2021
We would like to thank our volunteers and remember those who are no longer with us.
Arboretum News: Norrie's Gift and Garden Shop is Open!
April 2, 2021
Find your spring garden favorites in our nursery today! Read the full newsletter to see our feature plants and view a photo gallery from Hummingbird Month.
Norrie's Gift and Garden Shop is Open!
March 25, 2021
We are open for in-person shopping, Wednesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Enjoy a safe, outdoor-only shopping experience and browse our unique and interesting plants, household items, jewelry, gifts, and more!
Arboretum News: Come See Our New Echeveria Garden!
March 18, 2021
Our newly-planted Echeveria garden has nearly 500 plants in the Crassulaceae family. Read the full newsletter to view photos from our new Echeveria display and learn tips for creating your hummingbird garden at home.
Arboretum News: Student Worker Matching Gift Challenge a Success!
February 18, 2021
Last November, the Ray Collett Trust issued a challenge to donors by offering to match all gifts, up to $50,000, in support of our student workers. As a result, we are pleased to share that we raised a total of $81,880! Read the full newsletter for more on our student workers, staff picks from Norrie's Gift and Garden Shop, and our upcoming events.
Arboretum News: Winter is for Planting on the Central Coast
January 29, 2021
Winter is growing season in California's coastal mediterranean climate. We are starting to see more greenery and colorful blooms here at the UC Santa Cruz Arboretum & Botanic Garden, and now is a wonderful time to visit. Read the full newsletter to see our staff favorites for planting at this time of year!
Arboretum News: A Busy Year of Growth through Challenging Times
December 21, 2020
Greetings from the UC Santa Cruz Arboretum & Botanic Garden! While the year has been challenging, we have managed to complete many major projects, and we are excited to share our progress with you! Read the full newsletter to look back at all we have accomplished in the past several months.
Arboretum Botanists Conduct Post-Fire Assessment
December 16, 2020
Arboretum News: Student Worker $50,000 Matching Gift Challenge Ends December 10!
December 8, 2020
Last Call to Double Your Gift to Support our Student Workers! “Why we give: We believe in the long term benefit of student employees gaining experience at the UCSC Arboretum. The Arboretum benefits from their research and labor which contribute to scientific knowledge in general and the health of the gardens directly. We are pleased to contribute to the Trust’s matching campaign and encourage others to do so.” —Jenny and John Bost, Arboretum volunteers
Arboretum News: Ray Collett Trust $50,000 Matching Grant Extended to December 10!
November 28, 2020
We at the UC Santa Cruz Arboretum & Botanic Garden are full of gratitude for the many generous gifts we have received to support our student workers. “I want to encourage everyone to support the students who are working so hard to keep the gardens beautiful, and learning in the process. Every donation will help.” —Ferd Bergholz, Arboretum Board member and volunteer photographer.
Arboretum News: Ray Collett Trust Offers $50,000 Matching Grant to Support our Student Workers
November 12, 2020
The Ray Collett Trust has issued a donor challenge, matching 100% of donations, up to $50,000, to support our student workers. Read the full newsletter to learn more and make your donation.
Donor Challenge to Support Student Workers!
November 12, 2020
Ray Collett Trust Offers $50,000 Matching Grant to Support Student Workers
Arboretum News: Bidding is Open for Our Silent Auction Fundraiser!
October 23, 2020
You can win one of several amazing auction items while supporting the UC Santa Cruz Arboretum & Botanic Garden! Read the full newsletter for bidding information. Register for our Annual Friends of the Arboretum Members Meeting, a virtual event on Sunday, November 1, from 4–5 p.m.
Arboretum News: Members Meeting Registration is Open
October 3, 2020
The UC Santa Cruz Arboretum & Botanic Garden will host its Annual Friends of the Arboretum Members Meeting in a webinar format on Sunday, November 1, from 4 p.m.–5 p.m. Read the full newsletter for information on registering.
Arboretum News: Norrie's Gift & Garden Shop is Open!
September 16, 2020
We are pleased to welcome customers for in-person shopping at Norrie’s Gift and Garden Shop, now open Thursday through Sunday, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Read the full newsletter to see our staff favorite's for fall planting!
Arboretum News: Support Us by Shopping Online!
August 13, 2020
Shop with us! We’ve just added new plants to Norrie’s Gift and Garden Shop's online inventory. Admission is now available for online purchase as well. Read the full newsletter to see our featured plants and locally handmade crafts, including birdhouses made from Banksia wood sourced right here in our garden!
Now Available: Purchase Garden Admission Online
July 24, 2020
Purchase admission to our gardens through Norrie's online store.
Arboretum News: Early Bird Saturdays Begin July 18!
July 14, 2020
The Arboretum & Botanic Garden at the University of California, Santa Cruz is celebrating its members and volunteers with special-access Early Bird Saturdays, held on the 3rd Saturday of every month. The first one is coming up on July 18, from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. Read the full newsletter for details!
Our Gardens Will Reopen June 29
June 25, 2020
We are excited to announce our reopening, and look forward to welcoming you back!
Arboretum News: Our Gardens are Reopening June 29!
June 20, 2020
We are very happy to announce that our gardens are reopening Monday, June 29. Our hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., every day. Admission is $5 for adults, $2 for children, and free to our members and volunteers. Please follow social distancing protocols, wear a mask, and bring your own drinking water. Read the full newsletter for information about membership and to see featured plants available in our online store.
Statement of Support for Black Lives Matter
June 12, 2020
We stand in solidarity.
Arboretum News: Our Garden Shop is Online!
May 28, 2020
The University of California at Santa Cruz Arboretum & Botanic Garden is thrilled to announce that our plants are now available for purchase online at shopucscarboretum.com. We are offering curbside pickup appointments at 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 11 a.m., and 12 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Read the full newsletter to see our featured plants!
Norrie's Garden Shop is Online!
May 27, 2020
We are now offering curbside pickup by appointment for online orders.
SOD Blitz Station at the Arboretum
May 27, 2020
Help prevent Sudden Oak Death by participating in the 2020 SOD Blitz Survey.
Arboretum Update: Closed Due to Shelter in Place Order
March 19, 2020
Our gardens and gift shop are temporarily closed. Visit our online store for plant sales.
Arboretum Update: Closed Due to Shelter in Place Order
March 17, 2020
PLANT LIST Updated: Start Your Wishlist for Spring Shopping at Norrie's!
March 16, 2020
Protea Care
March 6, 2020
California Conifers
February 25, 2020
Norrie's Inventory Sale 20% OFF Everything
January 23, 2020
MLK Day of Service 2020
January 1, 2020
December UPDATE: Plants Available at Norrie’s Gift & Garden Shop— While Quantities Last!
December 18, 2019
December Availability List: Plants at Norrie’s Gift & Garden Shop— While Quantities Last!
December 6, 2019
November Update: Plants Available at Norrie’s Gift & Garden Shop— While Quantities Last!
November 20, 2019
Norrie’s Gift & Garden Shop Celebrates Its 25th Anniversary
November 19, 2019
Have you checked out our library lately?
November 6, 2019
Seeking Fall Quarter Interactive Ecology Interns
September 5, 2019
'Simply Seeing Green Spaces' May Help Reduce Cravings
July 24, 2019
Group of Biologists Tries to Bury the Idea that Plants are Conscious
July 9, 2019
Introducing: Denise Polk Propagation Scholar, Gina Trabucco
July 1, 2019
Succulent Savior, Stephen McCabe
May 9, 2019
Undergrad, Nathalie Martin, Publishes Field Guide to Campus Plants
April 30, 2019
Andromischus merianiae forma herrei
April 13, 2019
Kennedia beckxiana
April 12, 2019
Pinguicula from California Carnivores Nursery in Sebastopol
April 11, 2019
Hort Industry Donations from Sierra Azul Nursery
April 10, 2019
Ceratostema lanatum
April 9, 2019
Fourth Dish Garden by Linda McNally for Silent Auction
April 8, 2019
Nursery News: Leucospermum ‘Brandi Dela Cruz’
April 7, 2019
Telopea cultivars
April 6, 2019
Third Dish Garden by Linda McNally for Silent Auction
April 5, 2019
Succulent Dish Garden up for Bid at our Spring Plant Sale
April 5, 2019
Artful Arrangement for Silent Auction
April 5, 2019
Leucospermum praecox
April 4, 2019
Isopogon formosus
April 3, 2019
Scadoxus nutans
April 2, 2019
Telopea speciosissims "Fire Glow"
April 1, 2019
Third in the lineup for our Spring Plant Sale Silent Auction, Wachendorfia paniculata
March 31, 2019
Second up in our Silent Auction offerings: Xeronema moorei
March 30, 2019
Spring Plant Sale's Silent Auction
March 29, 2019
Leucospermum Madness!
March 28, 2019
To Help Prevent the Next Big Wildfire, Let the Forest Burn
December 13, 2018
A Look Back on 2018 & A Preview on 2019
December 13, 2018
Planned Gift for the Arboretum Realized
October 10, 2018
California’s Succulent Smugglers: Plant poachers seed Asia’s desire for Dudleya
September 20, 2018
