Summer 2026 Newsletter

Dear Friends of the Arboretum,

We have big news -- your Arboretum is expanding! JMU President Jim Schmidt announced this expansion during our April 10 inaugural event, which you can read about below. Included in the expansion area is most of the naturalized areas on East Campus, bringing the total acreage of the Arboretum from 63 to 110 acres. As part of the expansion, we are reforesting part of the new University Boulevard area with 1,500 native trees and hundreds of shrubs. We are also pleased to integrate the East Campus landscape into our plant collection, available for conservation, research, education, and general enjoyment! We're also in the home stretch of developing a plan to guide us in the coming years and help us build programs that will positively impact our region for decades. While it will take some time to fully integrate all this, we look to the future with positive expectations. As the saying reminds us, we don't plant trees for ourselves, but for our grandchildren. If you already support the Arboretum through giving, thank you! Your support has gotten us this far. If you haven't supported us financially before or for some time, there's no better time than today!    In the meantime, we are pleased to offer you a full calendar of learning opportunities this summer. These include our Brown Bag lecture series of fascinating topics and speakers, and our pilot season of activities developed by our Education Coordinator for the whole family to experience together. I hope to see you out in the Arboretum this summer, where the shade feels great!     Sincerely, Katie

Arboretum Expansion Announced During "Growing the Madison Promise" Tree Planting Ceremony

The April 10 Ceremony was part of the Inauguration Celebrations for JMU's Seventh President, James C. Schmidt. He Announced the Expansion, Which Includes a Reforestation of East Campus

During a Tree Planting Ceremony on the East Campus of JMU on April 10, President James C. Schmidt announced a significant expansion of the Edith J. Carrier Arboretum, which has increased from 63 to 110 acres. The expansion includes a large area of East Campus and the University Boulevard area. President Schmidt, who was joined by representatives from the Arboretum, the City of Harrisonburg, the Virginia Department of Forestry, and members of the university community, ceremonially planted the first of up to 1,500 trees that will be added to this area as part of a reforestation project.

Reforestation Project

Over the next 15-20 years, the 4.28 acres of roadside meadow will be overtaken by the maturing forest of many trees and shrubs. This expanding forest will connect more of the campus community to the Arboretum's living laboratory, reduce stormwater runoff and improve water quality, support biodiversity, and provide many more benefits for wildlife and the local community.

The event was wrapped up with a student-led naturalist tour of the Arboretum, as well as a mindfulness walk led by the university's Counseling Center. Read more about the Arboretum expansion here.

Growing With Your Support

We are thrilled to announce the expansion of the Arboretum and grateful to so many of you who are driving forces of our our progress. This milestone marks the beginning of an exciting journey we're able to embark on with your support.

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+)

Save the Date: Fall 2026 Plant & Tree Sale

Mark your calendars! The Fall 2026 Plant & Tree Sale will begin on Thursday, September 24, for Members only. The sale will be open to the public from Friday, September 25-Saturday, October 3, excluding Sundays. During the sale, you will be able to shop a variety of houseplants, native perennials, shrubs, and trees.

Sale Dates: September 24 (Members Day), September 25-October 3 (Public Sale)

Get ready for the Fall Plant & Tree Sale! We will 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, September 24, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. On Members Day and throughout the Plant & Tree Sale, Members receive 10% off their purchase. The public sale begins September 25 and runs through October 3, and will be held every day except Sunday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Can't Wait Until Fall to Shop for Plants? Shop Now!

We do have some remaining inventory from our Spring Plant & Tree Sale. Check our inventory here and shop at the Arboretum's Frances Plecker Education Center Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

"What's That in the Pond?"

Check Out Our Floating Treatment Wetland Project When You Visit the Arboretum and Watch it Grow

Floating treatment wetlands like the ones the Arboretum is testing in the Pond this summer absorb excess nutrients and naturally filter pollutants, reducing algae and increasing dissolved oxygen while also creating shelter and habitat. This is a long-term research initiative of the Arboretum designed and implemented by the Arboretum landscape team. Student researchers will be tracking the impact of this system on water quality parameters. Our pilot floating wetland was put to the test on May 22 when the pond experienced significant flooding. When the water subsided to normal levels, the floating treatment wetland returned to its original location in the pond. That's one of the benefits of these floating wetlands -- they can rise and fall during flooding situations. The landscape team is now planting a mix of native plants hydroponically: carex, juncus, lizard's tail, pickerelweed, iris, and a few others because most of them have aerenchyma tissue that allows them to survive in a anoxic (low-oxygen) environment. Our test model showed that the turtles love the floating islands for basking, but our new plants need time to establish. Once they're grown big enough, we can remove the barriers for a more natural look. The pinwheels are there for a similar purpose--a non-violent way to discourage waterfowl during this establishment period. Come check out the floating treating wetland the next time you're at the Arboretum's Pond.

A Guide to Converting Your Garden Lawn Into a Wildlife Friendly Garden

Article Courtesy of NPR

Lawns are great surfaces for throwing a football or laying out a picnic. But turfgrass in the United States now covers an estimated 40 million acres — and area about the size of the state of Georgia — and these manicured lawns take an environmental toll. Gas-powered lawn equipment, like lawn mowers and trimmers, put out 30 million tons of air pollutants a year, the Environmental Protection Agency says. To keep our lawns tidy and green, we also use weedkillers and fertilizers. When it rains, those chemicals escape our yards and make their way through storm drains to our lakes and rivers. Shrinking lawns can reduce all these impacts. It can also create space for gardens that feed wildlife — great news at a time when North America has lost one-quarter of its birds and the U.S. has lost one-fifth of its butterflies. University of Delaware entomologist Doug Tallamy has calculated that if Americans reduced their lawns by half and added native plant gardens to feed birds, butterflies and other wildlife, this would create more habitat than Yellowstone and a dozen other major national parks combined. Interested in ditching your lawns? These tips can get you started.

1. Choose a spot where you'll kill some grass

Consider starting small, especially if you're new to gardening. "It can be overwhelming to take on an expansive garden," says Stacia Stelk, executive director of Deep Roots KC, a group that teaches the public how and why to plant habitat gardens in the Kansas City region. "As you get more comfortable, there's always room to expand." Replacing the whole lawn at once can lead to weed, mud and erosion problems, so it requires careful planning and more work. A good place to remove some grass could be along a fence or sidewalk. If you have a tree in your yard, consider putting a flower bed around it. This is called a soft landing because it gives caterpillars a safe place to go after they finish feeding on your tree's leaves. There, they can make their chrysalises and cocoons among flower and leaf litter, safe from lawnmowers, and emerge as adult butterflies and moths. Bees, fireflies and other insects will find homes there too.

For the rest of the tips from this article, follow this link to NPR.

Arboretum Summer 2026 Events and Programs

Summer 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 all summer. 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.

June 2026

Bonsai Club -- Tuesday, June 2 (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!

Invasive Plant ID Walk -- Wednesday, June 3; 9:00-11:00a.m., Location: Meet at the FPEC (Free Event). Register here. Conservation Stewards Workday -- Thursday, June 18; 9:00-11:00 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.

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). Register here. 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.

Sound Bathing -- Tuesday, June 9; 5:30-7:00 p.m., Location: Arboretum Pavilion ($25 fee). Registration required -- register here. Join Connie Magee for a deep healing and relaxation experience with pure sound frequencies. Sound healing resets the nervous system, equalizes brainwaves, and provides a cellular detox of the highest order. 

Storytime in the Understory -- Wednesdays, beginning June 10 until August 26, 2026; 10:00-10:30 a.m. For our preschool visitors, we will read several short books at the seating area in the Family Garden. On June 24 and August 5, our Guest Reader will be Randy Ours, Children's Librarian for the Massanutten Regional Library.

Brown Bag Lecture: Native Landscaping for Backyard Birds -- Wednesday, June 10; 12:00-1:00 p.m. Location: FPEC. (Free Event). Register here. 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!

Brown Bag Lecture: Brood Pollination -- Wednesday, June 17; 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m. Location: FPEC. (Free Event). Register here. Audience: Adults and mature youth. With presenter David Hembry, Ph.D., JMU Assistant Professor of Biology. Brood pollination is a type of pollination mutualism in which specialized insects pollinate the flower of certain plants, and in exchange, the plants provide some of their seeds or flower tissue as food for these insects' larvae. This talk provides an overview of these relationships and a brief introduction to the work done in Professor Hembry's lab at JMU.

Family Nature Series: Let's Investigate Insects! -- Wednesday, June 17; 1:00-3:00 p.m. Location: Meet at the FPEC. $15 per participating child. Adults bringing children attend free of charge; contact: Kelli Hertzler: gdxc5j@jmu.edu or 540-568-3194. Audience: This session is for upper elementary and middle school students and their parents/guardians. Minors (under 18) may not be dropped off. Limited to 15 people total. We will construct an insect to learn about their anatomy and explore the variety of insect life by finding them in various life stages throughout the Arboretum. Our Summer Family Series is designed for families to enjoy a facilitated learning experience together.

Movie: "The Little Things That Run the World" -- Thursday, June 18; 7:30-9:15 p.m. Free Event, Registration Requested and Forthcoming soon. Walk-ins are okay; please check our website soon for registration. Location: FPEC (indoors) Life on Earth is in the middle of a major re-alignment of species composition. The smallest of creatures – insects – hold the fabric of all life together. They are the most numerous of all animal groups on the planet. But insects are declining at an alarming rate throughout the world,  threatening innumerable species, whole ecosystems, and even our food systems with collapse. This is story about untangling the mysteries as to why something so ubiquitous – and seemingly endless – could be on the cusp of disappearing entirely. It is also the story of heroic efforts to save these most vulnerable of creatures.  Preview the movie here. After the movie, please stay for our Insect Discovery Night.

Insect Discovery Night -- Thursday, June 18; 9:30-10:30 p.m. Location: Arboretum Family Garden. (Free Event). Register here. Discover the secret life of bugs! 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.

Family Nature Series: Pond Study, Elementary -- Monday, June 22; 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Location: FPEC. $15 per participating child. Adults bringing children attend free of charge. If cost would prevent you from attending, please reach out to us. Registration is forthcoming; contact Kelli Hertzler: gdxc5j@jmu.edu or 540-568-3194. Audience: this session is for elementary students and their parents/guardians. Minors (under 18) may not be dropped off. Limited to 15 people total. Get up close and personal with the Arboretum's pond. We will learn who lives in the pond starting with obvious vertebrates, net and identify macro-invertebrates and then use microscopes to explore the aquatic life that is normally invisible. Our Summer Family Series is designed for families to enjoy a facilitated learning experience together.

Brown Bag Lecture: Flora of Virginia App -- Wednesday, June 24; 12:00-1:00 p.m. Location: FPEC. (Free Event). Register here. Audience: Adults and mature youth. With Presenter Anna Maria Johnson, Flora of Virginia Ambassador and President of the Shenandoah Chapter of the Virginia Native Plant Society. Johnson will walk guests through the updated Flora of Virginia mobile app and how to use it in your day-to-day life.

Family Nature Series: Pond Study, Middle and High School -- Thursday, June 25. Location: FPEC. $15 per participating child. Adults bringing children attend free of charge. If cost would prevent you from attending, please reach out to us. Registration is forthcoming; contact: Kelli Hertzler: gdxc5j@jmu.edu or 540-568-3194. Audience: this session is for middle and high school students and their parents/guardians. Minors (under 18) may not be dropped off. Limited to 15 people total. Get up close and personal with the Arboretum's pond. We will learn who lives in the pond starting with obvious vertebrates, net and identify macro-invertebrates and then use microscopes to explore the aquatic life that is normally invisible. Our Summer Family Series is designed for families to enjoy a facilitated learning experience together.

Children's Activity -- Thursday, June 25; 1:00-1:30 p.m. Location: Meet near the Arboretum Pavilion. (Free Event). No registration required. Contact: Kelli Hertzler, Education Coordinator, gdcx5j@jmu.edu or 540-568-3194. A hands-on activity related to nature, designed for elementary-aged children. Activity will vary by week and may involve a short story to inspire engagement. This hands-on activity will take place at the Pavilion or will explore another part of the Arboretum.

Intro to Nature Journaling -- Monday, June 29; 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Location: Meet at the FPEC. $30 per person/$15 special price for EJC Arboretum Members. Register here. For questions, contact: Instructor Kelli Hertzler, Education Coordinator, gdxc5j@jmu.edu or (540) 568-3194. Nature Journaling is based on intentional observation of the natural world. We will do an overview of nature journaling and then jump right in to studying specimens with guided lessons. Emphasis will be on recording the experience with drawing, writing, and quantifying. Art skills are not a prerequisite for this class because rendering are based on careful observations. All necessary supplies will be provided, but you are welcome to also bring your own.

Nature Journaling -- Tuesday, June 30; 2:00-3:00 p.m. Location: Arboretum Pavilion. (Free event). No registration required. All ages and families. Observation skills are needed, but art skills are not. You may wish to bring your own journal and art supplies. Basic materials are provided.

July 2026

Storytime in the Understory -- Wednesdays, 10:00-10:30 a.m. Location: Arboretum Family Garden. (Free Event). No registration. For our preschool visitors, we will read several short books at the seating area in the Family Garden.

Brown Bag Lecture: Watersheds and Watercolor -- Wednesday, July 1; 12:00-1:00 p.m. Location: FPEC. (Free Event). Register here. Lecture by JMU Stormwater Coordinator Ali Sloop; watercolor activity by Arboretum Education Coordinator Kelli Hertzler. Join us on a virtual journey downstream from JMU's campus to the Chesapeake Bay. During our "journey," we will create a watershed painting inspired by what we see as we travel from campus to the Bay. No artistic skills needed, but bring a willingness to learn something new.

Children's Activity -- Thursdays, 1:00-1:30 p.m. Location: Meet near the Arboretum Pavilion. (Free Event). No registration required. Contact: Kelli Herzler, Education Coordinator, gdcx5j@jmu.edu A hands-on activity related to nature, designed for elementary-aged children. Activity will vary by week and may involve a short story to inspire engagement. This hands-on activity will take place at the Pavilion or we will explore another part of the Arboretum.

Family Nature Series: Printmaking with Nature, Elementary -- Tuesday, July 7; 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Location: FPEC. ($20). Registration is forthcoming; contact: Kelli Hertzler: gdxc5j@jmu.edu. We explore printmaking using natural objects. Techniques to include sun prints and rolling plant parts with printing ink to create botanical compositions.

Bonsai Club -- Tuesday, July 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!

Brown Bag Lecture: Sounds Fun: Discussion and Demonstration of Hearing In Humans and Animals -- Wednesday, July 8; 12:00-1:00 p.m. Location: FPEC. (Free Event). Register here. With Lincoln Gray, retired Professor of Communication Sciences at JMU and Adjunct Research Professor of Otolaryngology at the U.Va. Medical School. What CAN humans hear, and what DO we hear when not distracted by other sounds? How do these abilities compare with those of other animals (and at least one plant, if you can believe that)? This talk will briefly review medical and graduate school lectures on such topics, interspersed with several demonstrations. Such listening can be fun!

Sound Bathing -- Wednesday, July 8; 6:30-7:45 p.m., Location: Arboretum Pavilion ($25 fee). Registration required -- register here. Join Connie Magee for a deep healing and relaxation experience with pure sound frequencies. Sound healing resets the nervous system, equalizes brainwaves, and provides a cellular detox of the highest order. 

Family Nature Series: Printmaking with Nature, Middle and High School -- Tuesday, July 9; 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Location: FPEC. ($20). Registration is forthcoming; contact Kelli Hertzler: gdxc5j@jmu.edu. We explore printmaking using natural objects. Techniques to include sun prints and rolling plant parts with printing ink to create botanical compositions.

Brown Bag Lecture: Conservation Photography: Riverine and Backyard Biodiversity in Rockingham County -- Wednesday, July 15; 12:00-1:00 p.m. Location: FPEC. (Free Event). Register here. With Steven David Johnson, conservation photographer and Professor of Visual and Communication Arts at Eastern Mennonite University. This multimedia talk will focus on Steven's work photographing biodiversity close to home: across the street on the Shenandoah River and even closer to home in his backyard pollinator garden and frog pond just outside of Broadway, Virginia (this project was the subject of the current issue of National Wildlife Magazine. Check it out here.) He will discuss how these long term photo projects have contributed to the educational and advocacy work on conservation organizations.

Evening with Bats -- Friday, July 17; Meet 15 minutes before sunset by the Arboretum Pond (Free Event). Register here. 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. Summer Stroll Into Gratitude -- Saturday, July 18; 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Location: Meet at the FPEC. (Free Event). Register here. Enjoy the lazy days of summer and be guided with Positive Psychology prompts to help you slow down, be mindful, and strengthen your gratitude skills in community and connection. You can bring a journal/pen if you like or share with others as we see the summer seasonal happenings at the beautiful Edith J. Carrier Arboretum. Free and usually about a 30 minute-1 hour walk with stops along the way.

Nature Journaling -- Tuesday, July 28; 2:00-3:00 p.m. Location: Arboretum Pavilion. (Free Event). No registration required. All ages and families. Observation skills are needed, but art skills are not. You may wish to bring your own journal and art supplies. Basic materials are provided.

August 2026

Bonsai Club Meeting -- Tuesday, August 4 (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!

Storytime in the Understory -- Wednesdays through August 19; 10:00-10:30 a.m. For our preschool visitors, we will read several short books at the seating area in the Family Garden. On August 5, our Guest Reader will be Randy Ours, Children's Librarian for the Massanutten Regional Library.

Evening with Bats -- Friday, August 7 and 21 (held the first and third Fridays in warmer months); Meet 15 minutes before sunset by the Arboretum Pond (Free Event). Register here. 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, August 11; 2:00-3:00 p.m. Location: Arboretum Pavilion. (Free Event). No registration required. All ages and families. Observation skills are needed, but art skills are not. You may wish to bring your own journal and art supplies. Basic materials are provided.

Sound Bathing -- Tuesday, August 11; 6:30-7:45 p.m., Location: Arboretum Pavilion ($25 fee). Registration required -- register here. Join Connie Magee for a deep healing and relaxation experience with pure sound frequencies. Sound healing resets the nervous system, equalizes brainwaves, and provides a cellular detox of the highest order. 

Insect Discovery Night -- Friday, August 21; 9:30-10:30 p.m. Location: Arboretum Family Garden. (Free Event). Register here. Discover the secret life of bugs! 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.

We Have Microscopes!

Thank You for Making the Spring 2026 Plant & Tree Sale a Success!