The Arboretum’s vision—of a greener, healthier, more beautiful world where people and trees thrive together—has never been more important.
Science is the foundation of the Arboretum’s work for trees. Your support through admissions, memberships, and donations helps fund important work that has an impact in the Chicago region and around the world. Learn more about the Arboretum’s scientific work and how it contributes to a greener world for future generations.
Developing the scientific knowledge and technical expertise necessary to sustain trees
Addressing key challenges facing trees and plants through collaborative scientific research and conservation
Collaborative initiatives addressing pressing conservation challenges to protect and restore threatened trees worldwide
The Chicago Region Trees Initiative (CRTI) is a partnership for coordinated action to improve the health, diversity, and equitable distribution of trees in the Chicago region. Founded by the Arboretum, CRTI brings together more than 200 partners from industry, community, and government organizations with a comprehensive plan to lead regional action for trees through 2050.
The Morton Arboretum’s living plant collections and dried herbarium specimens represent one of the most significant collections of cold-hardy trees and shrubs worldwide. These collections are a major resource for researchers to understand global plant diversity, what different plant species need to be healthy, grow, and reproduce, and how to conserve plant species and restore plant communities.
Arboretum staff and volunteers work to learn about and restore more than 900-acres of natural areas on the grounds, including key habitats for native plants and animals and one of the oldest prairie restorations in the country.
The Morton Arboretum works to inspire and equip future tree scientists at every stage in their careers through mentorships, fellowships, and other opportunities in science, conservation, and horticulture.
Your support is vital to the Arboretum, where the power of trees makes a positive impact on people’s lives.
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