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Certificate in Ecological Horticulture www.morrisarboretum.org/learn-discover/certificate-ecological-horticulture

Certificate in Ecological Horticulture Certificate in Ecological Horticulture Image Image     A Systems Approach to Sustainable Land Stewardship    We are thrilled to announce the launch of a new learning opportunity: The Morris Arboretum & Gardens’ Certificate in Ecological Horticulture will offer the opportunity to gain proficiency in creating and maintaining landscapes that are grounded in ecological principles and practice. Geared towards avid home gardeners and landscape professionals looking to develop a deep understanding of sustainable landscape design and management, this classroom and field-based program is a series of 12 courses that are open to the public. The program is self-paced and can be completed in one year of intensive learning or up to several years at a slower pace. What makes this Certificate Program unique?  The Morris Arboretum & Gardens’ Certificate in Ecological Horticulture is unique in our ecological systems-based approach to landscape design and maintenance. Our program approaches each garden as a complex living system, where plants, soil, water, animals, climate, human activity, and other elements interact with and influence each other. In hands-on and classroom instruction, our program teaches design and stewardship strategies that address these relationships holistically rather than focusing on individual components in isolation.  The program will focus on our region here in Southeast Pennsylvania. Drawing from our deep expertise in this region’s ecology, all instruction will speak to our local ecosystems. Here at the Morris we have a long history in the native plants of Pennsylvania — we have literally written THE book on this topic! Instructors in the Certificate Program will include Morris staff members as well as other local professionals that are regionally and nationally acclaimed in ecological horticulture.   What will I gain in completing this program?  Students who complete all required coursework will earn a Certificate in …

Lecture Series www.morrisarboretum.org/learn-discover/adults/lecture-series

Lecture Series Lecture Series Image The Morris Arboretum & Gardens Lecture Series brings together expert voices to explore ideas that connect people, plants, and the natural world. Through conversations, talks, and presentations, participants can engage with new perspectives and current research. Offered throughout the year, lectures create space to learn, reflect, and connect with others in a welcoming setting. Plant Politics: Images, Knowledge, and Power A Virtual Lunchtime Conversation Tuesday, October 13  • 12 – 1 pm  Members: $10 • Non-members: $15  REGISTER TODAY → Every picture of a plant tells a story... From botanical illustrations and herbarium specimens to illustrated manuscripts and contemporary photographs, images shape how plants are named, understood, and valued. They also reveal deeper stories about exploration, colonialism, science, and whose knowledge is preserved.  Join Tracy Qiu and Catherine Seavitt for an interactive lunchtime virtual conversation that uses four images to explore how botanical knowledge is created, shared, and challenged. Together, they will examine the colonial legacies of botanical gardens and plant science, consider how terms like native, exotic, weed, and invasive influence our thinking, and highlight the contributions of Indigenous communities and other often-overlooked knowledge holders.  Held the day after Indigenous Peoples' Day, this timely conversation invites participants to reconsider the stories we tell (and the ones we don't) and discover how the ways we picture plants continue to shape our relationships with the living world.   A Zoom link will be emailed to all registrants in advance of the program.    Speakers: Tracy Qiu  is a post-doctoral researcher at Concordia University in Montreal, specializing in the colonial history of botanical gardens and their roles in contemporary society. With over a decade of experience as a researcher, consultant, and artist, she applies decolonizing and inclusion-focused …

For Professionals www.morrisarboretum.org/learn-discover/professionals

For Professionals For Professionals Image At Morris Arboretum & Gardens, professionals can advance their knowledge and earn credentials through hands-on programs and expert-led instruction. Certificates, CEU-bearing courses, and conferences provide opportunities to stay current and expand your expertise. Focused on practical application and emerging research, these programs connect professionals to new ideas, new skills, and a broader network within the industry. Image Certificate in Ecological Horticulture  The Morris Arboretum & Gardens’ Certificate in Ecological Horticulture will offer the opportunity to gain proficiency in creating and maintaining landscapes that are grounded in ecological principles and practice. Geared towards avid home gardeners and landscape professionals looking to develop a deep understanding of sustainable landscape design and management, this classroom and field-based program is a series of 12 courses that are open to the public. The program is self-paced and can be completed in one year of intensive learning or up to several years at a slower pace. The first four courses in the series will be offered in the fall of 2025.   LEARN MORE Image School of Arboriculture Increase your tree and landscape knowledge! The Morris Arboretum & Garden's Professional Courses offer CEUs for arborists and landscape architects, and keep you at the forefront of your profession. These courses are open to professionals and novices, and are all taught by national leaders in their field of expertise. LEARN MORE Conferences Earn CEUs and hear from professionals Each year the Morris Arboretum & Gardens partners with a variety of organizations to convene conferences for professionals in plant related fields. Our conferences are of interest to professional arborists, landscape architects, professional horticulturists, and avid home gardeners.  Learn …

For Adults www.morrisarboretum.org/learn-discover/adults

For Adults For Adults Image Morris Arboretum & Gardens offers programs for adults looking to learn, build skills, or explore a personal interest. Courses, tours, lectures, and certificate programs create opportunities to engage with plants and landscapes in meaningful ways. Whether you’re a beginner or a professional, the Morris supports learning at every level with experiences designed to educate, connect, and inspire Image Fall 2026 Courses Join us for an exciting lineup of courses, conferences, tours, and hands-on experiences designed to educate, inspire, and bring you closer to nature. Download the Fall 2026 Course Catalog → Behind the Scenes Birding Botany Certificate in Ecological Horticulture Creative Expressions Culinary Adventures Growing Minds Health & Wellness Horticulture & Design Lectures School of Arboriculture Trips Members get discounts on our courses. Not a Morris member? Join today! Become a Member …

Events

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A field of yellow, red, and purple flowers among green foliage.

Wild Philly

Saturday, November 7
10:30 am
Upper Gallery
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED
REGISTER TODAY
Members: $30 • Non-members: $35

America’s sixth-largest city is home to an amazing abundance of wildlife. Meet some of the region’s featured creatures and the places where you can see the full diversity of wildlife. In addition, you'll learn the surprising ecological practices of the Lenape, the key role Philadelphia played in our nation's understanding of natural history, and the largest threats to nature locally—plus great ways you can help heal nature.

Presented by writer-naturalist Mike Weilbacher, this illustrated lecture is the perfect companion to Mike’s book by the same name, which he will be selling and signing after the lecture. A former nonprofit executive, Mike travels the region offering lectures and walks on diverse topics like climate change in Philly, the life cycle of the monarch butterfly, and the healing power of nature.

Events

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An outdoor garden covered in ferns and pieces of deadwood.

What Good is a Dead Tree?

Saturday, September 26
1 pm
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED
REGISTER TODAY
Members: $25 • Non-members: $30

Trees are the basis of a lot of life in a forest—and that doesn’t stop when they die. Millions of creatures depend on dead trees for food and shelter. Following the fall of an oak tree, Doug Wechsler explains how the tree is broken down by animals, insects, and fungi over the course of fifty years. Along the way, explore parts of a tree, insect life cycles, and the magic of mycelia. What IS a slime mold, anyway? Join us and discover how rotten wood benefits the forest by providing essential nutrients for new trees to grow. 

This program will engage learners of all ages and will end in an optional short walk along Morris’s woodlands trail to see some of what we’ve learned in the field. Doug’s book, What Good is a Dead Tree?, will be available for sale and for signing!

For Kids & Families www.morrisarboretum.org/learn-discover/kids-families

For Kids & Families For Kids & Families Image At Morris Arboretum & Gardens, discovery starts early. This is a place where kids can climb, explore, imagine, and make real connections to the natural world. Whether you’re visiting for the day or joining a program, families will find plenty of ways to learn together. From treetop adventures and hands-on activities to seasonal programs and summer camp, the Morris invites curiosity at every turn, with new experiences to discover throughout the seasons. Image For Kids & Families Growing Minds Garden Railway Tree Canopy Walk Whimsical Woods Family Activities Nature Explorers Summer Camp …