Spring 2026 Newsletter

Dear Arboretum Community,

I grew up in the majestic Salmon Valley of Idaho, a place rich in natural beauty. On a steep exposed hill cut created when the dirt road that transected our neighborhood was plowed, my siblings and I spent hours "rappelling" over the side with strings made of baling twine tied around our waists. The rocks we used as tools dug briskly through the dry soil as we  dug for dinosaur bones and crystals. We found them only in our imaginations, though we brought many shoeboxes full of quartz rubble back to the garage. The mountains all around enabled great games with echoes if we only yelled loud enough, and provided me a sense of stability and safety against the bigger world. I had the blessing of being awestruck by the natural world early and often.   In high school, though, my sense of wonder and appreciation for my surroundings diminished as may be typical. In 11th grade, my English teacher introduced my class to the idea of local history. Mr. Magoon put us on the bus and took us 90 miles out into "nowhere" to a ghost town, where gold mining had dried up and the railroad had pulled out some 75 years before. He had the one remaining resident share the tales of some of the houses falling into ruin, and the stories of some of the names in the tiny cemetery nearby. Other outings followed, and we spent the year looking at newspaper microfilm, rifling through dusty filing cabinets around town, and interviewing the most ancient (to us) people we could find to reconstruct the history of places we had some kind of connection to — our churches, the main street's buildings, the school football team, immigrant communities long gone except for shadows, what fishing used to be like here, etc. The landscape, the people, the history — all became interwoven with life today and a fuller sense of community came alive. The grief I felt over being moved "back East" for college I now understand as reflecting a love for the place that I could not have articulated at that time.    Nearly 30 years later, I've spent more years in the Shenandoah Valley than I did where I grew up, and I've come to love this place too — the interplay of the natural world and people creating a home for me and my family. Here at the Arboretum, my work as an educator centered on creating opportunities for people of all ages to understand how the natural world functions in the Arboretum landscape in particular, but to me that understanding is just one threshold into a potential lifelong love for place.  I recently looked up my old teacher, long retired, and sent him a thank you note for what he had inspired. To my delight, he responded and sent along a copy of his book—a local history of my home county that he and a colleague had worked up with additional materials. His colleague, Michael Crosby, had this to say in the introduction:   "It is a terrible form of poverty to lack a landscape for which you feel a love as strong as you may love another person." May we all find such a love! May I suggest you begin with the Edith J. Carrier Arboretum? We have many upcoming opportunities to learn, be, and belong that you'll find detailed below.  Sincerely, Katie P.S. We continue to experience significant traffic and parking impacts from the University Blvd. construction that will persist through the spring. Please be sure to leave extra time to secure parking when you come, and registering in advance for programs will help us communicate with you about any day-of parking changes or available visitor parking permits to expand parking options.

Thanks for Joining Us!

We enjoyed seeing many of you at the 20th Annual Litten Lecture and Member Reception

More than 210 guests, including Arboretum Members, community members, and JMU students, faculty, and staff attended Dr. Lee Brown's fascinating presentation on monarch butterfly research during the Frances Litten Botanical Lecture on Feb. 17, 2026.

We were delighted to be with so many friends during the Arboretum Member Reception just before the Litten Lecture. During the reception, JMU undergraduate Samantha Smith shared a presentation of specially curated photos of butterflies that were photographed by her and by others in the Harrisonburg area. Arboretum Members like Amy Goodall (above) also provided their feedback on long-term initiatives the Arboretum is pursuing.

Interested in Becoming a Member and Making an Impact?

• Student Member of the Arboretum ($30/year)
• Friend of the Arboretum ($50-249/year)
• Patron of the Arboretum ($250-999/year)
• Lifetime Member of the Arboretum (one-time donation of $1,000+)

Spring 2026 Plant & Tree Sale

New Plant Sale Location Due to University Boulevard Construction

The Spring Plant & Tree Sale will be moved from the Frances Plecker Education Center to the far end of the Arboretum, located at 1981 Warwick Drive, the corner of Neff Avenue and Warwick Drive, near Costco. A huge bonus of this new location: you can park right where you shop on the grass lot where the Plant & Tree Sale is being held!

Sale Dates: April 23 (Members Day), April 24-May 2 (Public Sale)

Get ready for the Spring Plant & Tree Sale! We have a large selection of shrubs, plants, and trees with an emphasis on native species and native cultivars chosen by our expert landscaping staff. Arboretum Members will have early access to the Plant & Tree Sale on Thursday, April 23, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. On Members Day and throughout the Plant & Tree Sale, Members receive 10% off their purchase and can pick up their free T-Shirt while supplies last. The public sale begins April 24 and runs through May 2, and will be held every day except Sunday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Members Online Pre-Sale Dates for Trees and Shrubs: April 14-17, Pickup April 15-17

Members can shop trees and shrubs online April 14-17. Use this link starting April 14 to view inventory and place an order. Pick up will be April 15-17. This pre-sale is for Members only.

Become a Member, Shop Early, and Save

Want to get in on the pre-sale, Members Day, and a 10% Plant & Tree Sale discount? Becoming a Member of the Arboretum is easy. For more information and to become a Member, follow this link.

Growing the Madison Promise Through the Arboretum Living Laboratory

JMU President Inauguration Special Events: Join Us April 10 for a Tree Planting Ceremony with JMU President James C. Schmidt and an Arboretum Open House

The Edith J. Carrier Arboretum is thrilled to participate in events on Friday, April 10, that are part of the inauguration celebration of JMU’s Seventh President, James C. Schmidt. We invite you to join us for one or both of the following.  1:00 p.m., Tree Planting Ceremony. Park in any East Campus lot (no permit required) and take the shuttle from the Festival Center bus stop to the ceremony site for JMU's Arbor Day Celebration! President Schmidt will plant the first of hundreds of trees of a reforestation of the University Boulevard area. The Arboretum will give away saplings of native trees including oak saplings from the Virginia Department of Forestry’s Legacy Oaks, which are more than 250 years old. Following the ceremony, guests may take the shuttle back to the Festival Center bus stop or to the Arboretum Open House!  1:30-3:00 p.m., Arboretum Open House with refreshments, information, and updates about the Arboretum. At 2:00 p.m., guests will have the opportunity to participate in a student-led naturalist tour or faculty-led mindfulness walk. If you are only participating in the Open House, you may park in any East Campus lot (no permit required) and make your way to the Frances Plecker Education Center.  The shuttle will run between the Education Center and the Festival Center bus stop between 2:30-3:30 p.m. for guests' convenience.  Register here.

William Christopher Kyle Labyrinth Renovation Completed

The Origin of the Arboretum's Labyrinth

Originally designed in 2002, the Labyrinth was constructed thanks to then-Arboretum Director Dennis Whetzel, JMU English Professor Ron Nelson, and a group of dedicated volunteers. The group's goal was to create a calm, meditative space, allowing visitors to slow down and enjoy nature, while encouraging deeper thinking.

The Renovation

With much of the work completed in 2025, the Labyrinth was renovated in memory of William Christopher Kyle. Thanks to the Kyle family and friends, Frazier Quarry, and Woodstock Gardens, the renovation includes a beautiful stone pathway, new plantings for better ecosystem services, and a seating area for quiet reflection and listening. It is a place for dialogue with those you respect or those discovering who they are.

Feathers for Reflection

Five brass hawk feathers are located throughout the Labyrinth. Visitors are encouraged to look for these feathers and reflect on their senses and feelings. While doing so, consider these questions:

• Do you hear the wind, or animals? Something else?
• What do you smell? The trees or plants?
• What do you feel to the touch or around you?
• Do you see something beautiful or unexpected?
• What are you grateful for?

Visiting the Labyrinth

The William Christopher Kyle Labyrinth is located at the top of the hill above University Boulevard and the Arboretum's Frances Plecker Education Center. Follow the gravel path off the parking lot by the Education Center. When you're at the Labyrinth, consider selecting a stone from the outer area of the pathway and carrying this stone with you as you travel to the center. While walking, focus on anything that's been on your mind -- any issues, worries, or questions. Once you reach the center of the Labyrinth, place your stone on the center rock symbolically letting go of your concerns. The Labyrinth is designed to encourage slow movement and reflection, so take your time throughout the journey.

Arboretum Stream Restoration

Restoration Will Help to Ensure More Effective Stormwater Management

A restoration of the Arboretum's stream was completed this month, in March 2026. Since its last restoration in 2015, the stream at the Arboretum has played a vital role in directing stormwater runoff into the pond and helping JMU achieve its MS4 stormwater goals. The stream includes a channel with a drainage area of 480 acres and 1,400 linear feet of stream length that sends storm water into the Arboretum's Plecker Pond. Best Management Practices (BMPs) help to improve the quality of the landscape and wildlife by mitigating the impact of flooding and pollution. Years of erosion caused by storm events had degraded the effectiveness of the stream as a BMP, so it was time to improve it once to protect the surrounding grounds and habitat. According to Ali Sloop '10, JMU's Stormwater Coordinator, the restoration was a success. See her comments here: “Absolutely love seeing BMPs breathe as they were designed to breathe. This stream restoration in the Edith J. Carrier Arboretum at JMU had seen seven years of sedimentation and flood damage that was smothering it. Through the work going on right now to repair and restore its natural channel design and riffle-pool structures this stream and its watershed is taking a deep sigh of relief.   A big thank you to the EJC Arboretum staff, Ecosystem Services, and HGS LLC (part of RES, Inc.) for their teamwork in accomplishing this. Don’t those coir logs look gooood!? The next phase is planting, planting, and planting.” Come check out the stream the next time you visit the Arboretum.

A Rare Sight in Harrisonburg: Red-bellied Cooter

A native Northern Red-bellied Cooter was spotted at the Arboretum Pond on March 4, 2026

We were excited to spot a turtle we had never seen before at the Arboretum when this Red bellied Cooter was observed on March 4. Arboretum Volunteer Coordinator Janis Traas took several photos and submitted the images and a video to the Virginia Herpetological Society. They confirmed the turtle appeared to be the first Red-bellied Cooter recorded in Harrisonburg!

About Northern Red-bellied Cooters:

• Freshwater turtle
• Its carapace (or shell) can reach a length of 15.7 inches
• Its plastron (or underside of shell) is a reddish color, hence its name

Celebrating Virginia's Native Bees

An Exhibit of Photography by Scott Jost at the Arboretum's Frances Plecker Education Center, April 1-May 30, with a Lecture on May 30.

Artist Statement by Scott Jost

Native bees are bee species occurring naturally in a region where they are found. There are some 20,000 bee species in the world. About 4,000 bee species are native to the United States, and nearly 500 are native to Virginia. Native bees pollinate an estimated 80 percent of flowering plants around the world, including agricultural crops and plants that are critical to natural ecosystems on which all life depends. I first photographed native bees in the summer of 2022. Before that, I had planned to do a photo project about honeybees and local beekeepers. It soon became evident to me, though, that honeybees, which I learned are native to Europe and not to North America, already have a lot of allies and are getting a lot of press. They will be okay. As part of the “insect apocalypse,” many native bee species are declining due to habitat loss, invasive species, pesticide use, climate change, and introduced diseases. In some cases, honeybees are out-competing native bees for floral resources. Native bees, like animal species worldwide, need our active help to survive and thrive. My intention for this exhibit is to celebrate beauty and inspire curiosity about native bees. I hope that by learning about and appreciating native bees, we will also act to protect and conserve them while also restoring the habitats on which they depend. When I’m outside and there are lots of native bees around, I feel as though everything is right with the world. I hope that these photographs might help others to feel the same way.

Scott Jost received a B.A. in Art from Bethel College in 1985, and an M.F.A. in Art from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis in 1993. He is Professor of Art at Bridgewater College in Bridgewater, Virginia, teaching photography, videography, design foundations, and intermedia courses. Scott has two adult children. He lives in Harrisonburg with his wife, Kathy Holm.

Arboretum Spring 2026 Events and Programs

Spring 2026 programming includes events and programs for adults, children, and families. Please refer to this list of happenings below. For a more detailed listing and to register, follow this link. FPEC = Frances Plecker Education Center

Please note: Plan ahead and anticipate delays on University Boulevard due to an ongoing construction project. At times, this project will impact the Arboretum's Education Center and Pavilion parking lots. The R5 parking lot will be open, but spaces may be limited. We apologize for the inconvenience. Please pay attention to parking directions or registration requests for specific events so we can arrange visitor permits or tell you what accommodations exist. For questions about events, email ejcarboretum@jmu.edu.

April 2026

Wildflower Walks -- Wednesdays, April 1, 15, 22, 29 at 12 p.m. Sunday, April 12 at 3:00 p.m. and Sunday, April 19 at 1:00 p.m. Meet at the Family Garden/Pavilion kiosk. For these events only, parking without a permit will also be allowed in Ballard Parking Deck. Register here. Spring will be in the air and all around as flora comes into bloom at the Arboretum. Enjoy these magical surroundings during a specially curated Wildflower Walk led by Shenandoah Master Gardener Keala Timko or one of our guides who know the Arboretum's many secrets.

Invasive Plant ID Walk -- Wednesday, April 1; 10:00 a.m., Location: Meet at the FPEC (Free Event). Register here. Invasive Plant Removal Workday -- Friday, April 17; 10:00 a.m., Location: Meet at the FPEC (Free Event). Register here. Join Jacob Edel, Invasive Management Specialist at Blue Ridge PRISM, and the Edith J. Carrier Arboretum for this free field training where you'll learn how to remove invasive plants. These sessions include a short hike along trails, some with uneven surfaces.

National Poetry Month Workshop, "Family Grief and Intimate Ghosts," with Furious Flower at the Arboretum -- Saturday, April 4, 1:00-3:00 p.m., Location: Arboretum's Ernst Terrace, next to the Education Center. Register here. Come celebrate National Poetry Month with our very own National Book Award Nominee, Dr. Gbenga Adesina! This generative workshop will explore complex family dynamics, poetry as a way to process grief, and the ghosts we carry. No prior experience with poetry is necessary. We welcome the poetry-curious with open arms, and attendees are encouraged to engage at their own comfort level. Walk-ins welcome but registration is encouraged!

Nature Journaling -- Tuesday, April 7; 2:00-3:30 p.m., Location: FPEC (Free Event). Registration required -- register here. Observation skills are required, but art skills are not. You may wish to bring your own journal and art supplies. Basic materials are provided. Contact Kelli Hertzler, Education Coordinator, with questions at 540-568-3194 or GDXC5J@jmu.edu.

Bonsai Club Meeting -- Tuesday, April 7 (and each first Tuesday of the month); 6:00-8:00 p.m., Location: FPEC (Free Event). Register here. Have you always wanted to explore bonsai as a hobby or are you just curious about the art? Join Shenandoah Valley Bonsai Club leaders, Clark Driver and Simon Jilg, for a short lecture, bonsai displays, and door prizes!

Growing the Madison Promise Through the Arboretum Living Laboratory -- Friday, April 10; Tree Planting Ceremony at 1:00 p.m. at location reached by shuttle; Arboretum Open House at 1:30 p.m. at FPEC. Register here. See story above or click the Registration Link for more information.

Mindfulness Walks -- Friday, April 10; 1:30-4:30 p.m. and Saturday, April 11; 12:00-3:00 p.m., Location: FPEC (Free Event). No registration. A JMU Health 100 Passport event sponsored by the Counseling Center. Check in at the FPEC to get your materials for this self-guided experience.

Spring Into Gratitude Walk -- Sunday, April 12; 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Location: Meet at the Arboretum's Ernst Terrace, next the FPEC (Free Event). Register here. Spring is vibrant and beautiful at the Arboretum. Let's spring into gratitude and admire lovely wildflowers along the way! See what can grow and blossom within you as well with Positive Psychology experiences and guided prompts to connect deeper to yourself and your community. You can bring a journal/pen/pencil if you like. Enjoy a 30-60 minute gratitude walk, and enjoy an open and colorful conversation.

Native Plant Social with the Shenandoah Chapter of the Virginia Native Plant Society -- Sunday, April 12; 1:30-3:30 p.m., FPEC (Free Event; every second Sunday of the month) Join the Shenandoah Chapter of the Virginia Native Plant Society for our Second Sundays Native Plant Social; a time of connecting and relationship-building in a community of local native plant enthusiasts. Expect light refreshments and conversation. Membership in VNPS is optional. Everyone is welcome! No registration.

Forest Bathing with Annette Naber -- Monday, April 13; 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Location: Arboretum's Pavilion (Free Event). Register here. Experiences some of the mindful and multi-sensory exercises that make forest bathing an enjoyable and beneficial nature therapy. Join Annette Naber, Ph.D., of Emerald Mountain Sanctuary and author of "Seasons of a Wild Life" on this guided walk through the Arboretum grounds. Forest bathing, or shinrin-yoku, was developed in Japan in the 1980s as a form of preventative medicine with many scientific studies confirming its beneficial impact on our sense of well-being and physical health.

Tree ID Walk with Ellen Powell -- Wednesday, April 15; 2:00-3:00 p.m.; Location: Meet at Arboretum's Pavilion (Free Event). Registration requested. Join us for a Tree ID Walk, led by Ellen Powell of the Virginia Department of Forestry. In celebration of Arbor Day, attendees may claim a free tree to plant at home.

Evening with Bats -- Friday, April 17 (held the first and third Fridays in warmer months); Meet 15 minutes before sunset by the Arboretum Pond (Free Event). No registration. Members of our local chapter of Virginia Master Naturalists, in partnership with Bat Conservation and Rescue of Virginia, will be hosting this event. Dress for the weather and bring a light to return to your car after dark.

Bird Activities -- Saturday, April 18, 9:30-10:30 a.m. and Birding 101 with Mike Donaldson of the Rockingham Birding Club, 11:00 a.m.; Meet at the FPEC. Register here. Multiple bird topics and activities for families/individuals to explore at their own pace. Identify several local bird calls, investigate real nests and feathers, try to pick up various food items with simulated beaks and create a bird craft to take home. Then, stick around for Birding 101. For all ages. (No unaccompanied minors, please.)

Nature Journaling -- Tuesday, April 21; 2:00-3:30 p.m., Location: FPEC (Free Event). Registration required -- register here. Observation skills are required, but art skills are not. You may wish to bring your own journal and art supplies. Basic materials are provided. Contact Kelli Hertzler, Education Coordinator, with questions at 540-568-3194 or GDXC5J@jmu.edu.

Member Day, Spring Plant & Tree Sale -- Thursday, April 23, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.; Location: 1981 Warwick Drive in Harrisonburg, near Costco. Due to ongoing construction on University Boulevard, the Plant Sale will be held at this location at a far corner of the Arboretum. A huge bonus of this new location: you can park right where you shop on the grass lot where the Plant & Tree Sale is being held! Shop at large selection of native shrubs, plants, and trees, as well as houseplants. Members save 10% off purchases. Check this page for updates.

Spring Plant & Tree Sale -- Friday, April 24-Saturday, May 2, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Location: 1981 Warwick Drive, near Costco. Due to ongoing construction on University Boulevard, the Plant Sale will be held at this location at a far corner of the Arboretum. A huge bonus of this new location: you can park right where you shop on the grass lot where the Plant & Tree Sale is being held! Shop a large selection of native shrubs, plants, and trees, as well as houseplants.

May 2026

Evening with Bats -- Friday, May 1 (held the first and third Fridays in warmer months); Meet 15 minutes before sunset by the Arboretum Pond (Free Event). No registration. Members of our local chapter of Virginia Master Naturalists, in partnership with Bat Conservation and Rescue of Virginia, will be hosting this event. Dress for the weather and bring a light to return to your car after dark.

Nature Journaling -- Tuesday, May 5; 2:00-3:30 p.m.; Meet at the FPEC. Free event, registration details will be forthcoming. Observation skills are required, but art skills are not. You may wish to bring your own journal and art supplies. Basic materials are provided. Contact Kelli Hertzler, Education Coordinator, with questions at 540-568-3194 or GDXC5J@jmu.edu.

Bonsai Club Meeting -- Tuesday, May 5 (and each first Tuesday of the month); 6:00-8:00 p.m., Location: FPEC (Free Event). Register here. Have you always wanted to explore bonsai as a hobby or are you just curious about the art? Join Shenandoah Valley Bonsai Club leaders, Clark Driver and Simon Jilg, for a short lecture, bonsai displays, and door prizes!

Native Plant Social with the Shenandoah Chapter of the Virginia Native Plant Society -- Sunday, May 10; 1:30-3:30 p.m., FPEC (Free Event; every second Sunday of the month) Join the Shenandoah Chapter of the Virginia Native Plant Society for our Second Sundays Native Plant Social; a time of connecting and relationship-building in a community of local native plant enthusiasts. Expect light refreshments and conversation. Membership in VNPS is optional. Everyone is welcome! No registration.

Nature Journaling -- Tuesday, May 19; 2:00-3:30 p.m., Free event. Registration information will be forthcoming. Observation skills are required, but art skills are not. You may wish to bring your own journal and art supplies. Basic materials are provided. Contact Kelli Hertzler, Education Coordinator, with questions at 540-568-3194 or GDXC5J@jmu.edu.

June

Bonsai Club Meeting -- Tuesday, May 5 (and each first Tuesday of the month); 6:00-8:00 p.m., Location: FPEC (Free Event). Register here. Have you always wanted to explore bonsai as a hobby or are you just curious about the art? Join Shenandoah Valley Bonsai Club leaders, Clark Driver and Simon Jilg, for a short lecture, bonsai displays, and door prizes!

Evening with Bats -- Friday, June 5 and June 19 (held the first and third Fridays in warmer months); Meet 15 minutes before sunset by the Arboretum Pond (Free Event). No registration. Members of our local chapter of Virginia Master Naturalists, in partnership with Bat Conservation and Rescue of Virginia, will be hosting this event. Dress for the weather and bring a light to return to your car after dark.

Storytime in the Understory -- Wednesday, June 10 and June 24, recurring every two weeks on Wednesday until August 26, 2026; 10:00-10:30 a.m.

Brown Bag Lecture: Native Landscaping for Backyard Birds -- Wednesday, June 10; 12:00-1:00 p.m. Location: FPEC. (Free Event). Registration information will be forthcoming. With Presenter Rich Woods, President of the Augusta County Birding Club. Would you like to attract more birds to your backyard? Then it's time to go native! Join us to learn which native plants our resident and migratory bird species prefer. Whether you have a small space or large property, every little bit counts and can make a difference in bird conservation!

Insect Discovery Night -- Thursday, June 18; 9:30-10:30 p.m. Visit the Arboretum for a special nighttime program to get to know nocturnal insects. Bring a headlamp or phone with a light for navigating in the dark. Led by Ali Sloop '10, JMU Stormwater Coordinator.

Summer Solstice Recognition Event for Arboretum Patron Members -- Saturday, June 20; 4:30-6:30 p.m. Location: Arboretum Lawn. (Free for Patron Members). More information coming soon.

Brown Bag Lecture: Flora of Virginia App with Anna Maria Johnson of the Virginia Native Plant Society -- Wednesday, June 24; 12:00-1:00 p.m. Location: FPEC. (Free Event). Registration information will be forthcoming.

JMU Giving Day -- Thank You!