History
In 1907, the University created a Botanical Garden and Arboretum on the land between Geddes Road and the Huron River, just a few blocks from Central Campus on the site now known as Nichols Arboretum. At the time, the property consisted of approximately 80 acres. Today, more than 100 years later, the University of Michigan Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum manages over 700 acres of gardens, research areas, and natural preserves around the Ann Arbor area with a complex of conservatory, greenhouses, laboratory, teaching and meeting spaces at Matthaei Botanical Gardens and the James D. Reader, Jr. Center for Urban Environmental Education at Nichols Arboretum.
Specialties
Owned and operated by the University of Michigan and located in and near the U-M's Ann Arbor campus on two separate properties, Matthaei Botanical Gardens & Nichols Arboretum is nearly 700 acres of formal gardens, trails, natural areas, wetlands, conservation sites, and river settings covering a biologically rich, diverse terrain. The Arb and Gardens offers membership opportunities for individuals and families, member discounts, children and adult education, scout and youth programs, tours, special events such as Shakespeare in the Arb, spring plants sales, special exhibits, volunteer opportunities, student engagement, meeting and conference rooms, wedding venues, a large, multi-climate conservatory, and much more. We're also great places to visit, unplug, relax, and unwind: places to get back into contact with nature.