Program areas at Dawes Arboretum
The Dawes Arboretum science & conservation and grounds departments manage 2,000 acres of contiguous land in licking county, Ohio which is explored by nearly 100,000 visitors annually. In addition to 4 miles of auto tour trails, The Arboretum has over 14 miles of walking trails that guide visitors through specialty gardens, meadows, wetlands and woodlands. The science & conservation department manages all of The Arboretum's natural areas, maintains extensive plant records, curates a diverse collection of plants and plant materials, and conducts extensive environmental research. Nearly 5,800 members and 150 volunteers (including trained land stewards) support The mission of The Arboretum on an annual basis.
The Dawes Arboretum's learning and engagement department (l&e) instructs and engages daily with nearly 5,800 members, 100,000 visitors and The extended community. L&e offers nature education and exploration opportunities for adults and children through self-guided interpretive signage on grounds as well as professionally led programming and curricula focused on stem and The promotion of outdoor environmental learning. Annually, camp Dawes welcomes over 3,000 school-aged children (5-14) from diverse backgrounds to safely observe and explore nature. Structured and self-guided curricula engages children in a variety of eco-systems, creates outdoor-inspired crafts with friends and cultivates a lifelong sense of curiosity and adventure as it relates to our natural world.
Established in 1929, The Arboretum functions to encourage The planting of forest and ornamental trees and to demonstrate The value of The different varieties of trees for these purposes, for practical and scientific research in horticulture and agriculture, but particularly in The growth and culture of trees and shrubs able to support The climate of The state of Ohio; in order to give pleasure to The public and education to The youth; and to increase The general knowledge and love of trees and shrubs, and bring about an increase and improvement in their growth and culture.
Programs are offered to provide educational and related workshops to further The mission of Dawes Arboretum, to encourage The planting, growth and support of tree cultivation in Ohio.
Admission fees further The mission of Dawes Arboretum by contributing to preservation and support of tree cultivation in Ohio, allowing those who enter to learn more about The mission and to take an active role in preservation.