Earth Day 2026

Happy Earth Day from The Morton Arboretum! 🌎 🌳

It’s why we’ve joined @brookfieldzoo.bsky.social and Shedd Aquarium in co-authoring an op-ed in the @dailyherald.com today, asking the U.S. to reconsider its recent withdrawal from IUCN, the world’s largest conservation organization.

Read the op-ed here: arb.eco/4bDEb4q (2/2)

A group of people is gathered in a shaded greenhouse, surrounded by many small potted plants, with greenery in the background. They are smiling at the camera.

The Arboretum has witnessed the positive outcomes of dedicated collaboration with local partners on active conservation projects around the world, including in Mexico to protect the endangered arroyo oak, pictured. Effective conservation requires global cooperation. (1/2)

As green tips sprout their way to the surface, winter weather can still return. 🌱❄️
🌷 Here are some tips to protect your plants through the ups and downs of spring weather: https://arb.eco/4rNB2E7

#SpringBlooms #Spring #Plants #PlantHealth #MortonArboretum

Ever wondered why some trees keep their leaves in the winter? Let’s hear from Research Assistant, Brendon Reidy. 🍂

🔗 Learn more: arb.eco/4rdp9qK.

#Leaf #Leaves #Marcescence #MortonArboretum #TreeScience

A cardinal perches on a tree branch with brown, leafless twigs against a clear blue sky.

A deer stands on a grassy area in a forest, surrounded by tall trees. The background shows foliage with warm colors. The deer is looking towards the camera, with the early evening light creating a soft ambiance.

A squirrel with a bushy tail perched on a tree branch, illuminated by sunlight in a natural outdoor setting.

Celebrating #WorldWildlifeDay with some beautiful wildlife at the Arboretum! 🐦 🦌 🐿️

#Wildlife #Animals #MortonArboretum #Nature

A robin with a reddish-orange breast perches on a branch in a tree with numerous small twigs. It holds a small leaf in its beak, and the background is filled with thin, bare branches.

Calling all bird watchers! 🐦

Join the Great Backyard Bird Count Feb 13–16. Spend 15+ minutes watching birds, count what you see, and submit to eBird or Merlin to help scientists protect birds worldwide. 🐦🌎

Learn more: https://www.birdcount.org/

“What I’ve enjoyed most so far about my work at the Arboretum is connecting research and fieldwork with real-world impact, and being part of such a supportive and passionate community in tree science.” Razieh Yazdani, PhD | Research Scientist, Plant Pathology

“The best part of my job is collaborating with global partners who recognize the Arboretum's scientific leadership and dedication to tree conservation. From urban forestry in China to conserving threatened trees in Southeast Asia, I love using science as a universal language to protect the world’s most vulnerable natural treasures.” Chai-Shian Kua, PhD | Senior Officer, Center for Species Survival: Trees Global Tree Conservation Specialist

“I have the honor of studying the genetics and natural history of burr oaks in collaboration with global researchers to gain a fuller understanding of the trees and the ecosystems they support. Sometimes, we inadvertently find something not previously documented in science!” Rebekah Mohn, PhD | Postdoctoral Researcher, Oak Population Genomics

I love working with herbarium specimens, researching and learning more about species, and teaching people about the herbarium.” Lindsey Worcester, MS | Herbarium Coordinator

Let’s go, girls! 🙂‍↕️ Today is #InternationalWomenAndGirlsInScienceDay, and we are celebrating by hearing from just a few of the amazing women scientists at The Morton Arboretum! 👩‍🔬

Drop a 🔬 in the comments to celebrate women in science—or tag a woman or girl who’s interested in tree science. 💚

Look closely at bark...

for subtle beauty.

A collage of different tree barks.

Bark is beautiful. 🌳 Come see for yourself!

Each species has a characteristic color and texture to its bark. 🌈

Bark isn’t just for looks—it’s a tree’s armor! 💪

🔗 Learn more and discover some distinctive bark textures across the Arboretum: https://arb.eco/3LIvzPX

A serene winter landscape in a forest with tall trees and a ground lightly covered in snow.

With cold temps ahead, you may hear about “exploding trees” — but it’s not that explosive. 🌳❄️ Sudden cold rarely causes this. What’s more common is frost cracking, when bark warms in the sun, then cools and shrinks faster than the inner wood, creating a vertical crack. Learn more: bit.ly/4a9Lb8k.

Snowy songbird trail, @mortonarboretum.bsky.social this morning.

A person examining plant specimens laid out on a newspaper-covered table in a laboratory setting.

Undergrads: strengthen your research skills with a summer at the Arboretum! Gain the guidance of staff scientists through the National Science Foundation’s Research Experiences for Undergraduates program at The Morton Arboretum. Apps due Jan. 31! bit.ly/49t9pZD #SummerInternship #TreeScience #STEM

A person wearing a hat carries branches amidst lush greenery in a wooded area.

The Arboretum is pleased to have been mentioned among @wttw.bsky.social’s most-read nature stories in 2025, for an important article on stopping the spread of invasive buckthorn in Chicago-region forests. ICYMI, read more here: bit.ly/4q8xWKE