The Arboretum
Overview
Development of the University of Guelph Arboretum began in 1970 when the Board of Governors approved a master plan that dedicated 330 acres of campus property to provide a living laboratory for research and teaching at U of G and an important resource for the community and the province.
With a mandate to promote education, research and outreach, the Arboretum currently includes almost every tree and shrub indigenous to southern Ontario (more than 1,700 different kinds) in an area covering 165 hectares (408 acres). The grounds are open to the public year-round, and include more than 8 km of nature trails, ideal for walking or jogging.
The Arboretum is a member of the American Association of Botanical Gardens and Arboreta, Botanic Gardens Conservation International, Canadian Botanical Conservation Network, and the Canadian Biodiversity Network
Activities
The Arboretum offers a variety of programs, workshops and special events as well as self-guided, interpretive and group tours throughout the year.
The OAC Centennial Arboretum Centre, located on the Arboretum grounds, hosts Theatre in the Trees - a unique experience combining buffet-style dining with live entertainment — and is a popular site for weddings, banquets and conferences.
Research Programs
Arboretum Gene Bank: a living gene bank of more than 20 species of rare woody plants in Ontario. Gene Bank orchards are now producing seed that will assist in the restoration of these species where they are in decline.
Elm Recovery Project: includes surveying and sampling across Ontario, with the objective of developing a new generation of elm trees that are genetically resistant to Dutch Elm Disease.
Ontario Tree Atlas: a survey of Ontario's trees, to track their distribution and relative abundance. Data was collected over a four-year period, and involved more than 1,000 volunteer participants.
