Yakima Area Arboretum

The Yakima Area Arboretum actively curates a plant collection of over 1000 labeled trees, woody shrubs, display gardens, and perennials on 46 acres of land next to the Yakima River.

Plant habitat zones in the Yakima River Watershed range all the way from the shrub-steppe to the sub-alpine to the riparian. Likewise, collection specimens on display at the Yakima Area Arboretum range from native, to adapted, to exotic species.

We know that nurturing the connection between people and plants is important. Trees and plants will remain essential to body and soul as long as life exists. Today, in the United States alone, more than one of every three plant species is under threat of extinction. As plants, and the planet, grow vulnerable, the Arboretum must meet its responsibility as Yakima’s center for tree development and environmental education.

Arboretum Naturalists are volunteer educators who promote awareness, understanding and respect for the natural world by fostering principles of sustainability, connectivity, and an appreciation for the biodiversity of Central Washington.

We welcome hundreds of school aged children to the Yakima Area Arboretum each year to participate in our guided field science programs. Field-trip stations are set up on the grounds of the Arboretum to help 1st through 6th grade students explore the natural world of Eastern Washington. Our hands-on and interactive lessons bring out a student’s natural curiosity about the world around them. As student groups travel from station to station they will learn about Central Washington ecosystems.

For preschool and kindergarten aged children we lead nature walks that are unscripted, since nothing beats just poking around to see what you can discover!

We partner with Sol Shine Nature Preschool to bring a Forest Kindergarten program to the preschool aged children of Yakima, County. The rich diversity of the Yakima Area Arboretum is used as their classroom.

We believe that the ideal classroom for preschool age children is outside in nature. Nature plays an important role in the cognitive, creative, physical, emotional and social development of young children. Children who spend time in nature are healthier, can think more clearly, have an easier time paying attention and have the ability to cope more effectively with stress.

The Arboretum provides the ideal environment for students to develop critical early childhood skills alongside a deep connection with the natural world. ​

The Yakima Area Arboretum's annual Luminaria candle-lit walk is our largest event of the year, drawing over 5000 people! This FREE event features a .8 mile loop trail through the Arboretum's wintery landscape lit by the light of over 1000 luminarias. While on the trail people enjoy listening to music from the Arboretum’s Bell Tower and view lighted displays throughout the grounds. After walking the trail people warm up inside with cups of hot cocoa, Tree Top apple cider, and Starbucks coffee, all while enjoying live music, children's crafts, and shopping in the Tree House Gift Shop.

The Yakima Area Arboretum is home to a number of garden clubs and societies who share the arboretum’s educational mission. These groups are known as affiliated member partners.

Affiliated members help care for the Arboretum’s many display gardens, teach classes, volunteer at events, and help support it financially. The Arboretum in turn supports its affiliated members by offering a location for groups to conduct club business, acts as a point of club contact, and wherever possible uses its many resources to promote club activities to the community. Some of the clubs affiliated with the Yakima Area Arboretum are the Central Washington Beekeepers, Yakima Valley Audubon Society, Yakima County Master Gardeners, Yakima Valley Bonsai Society, Yakima Valley Mushroom Society and Yakima Orchid Society

The Yakima Area Arboretum hosts one of the largest Arbor Day celebrations in the country called Arbor Festival. Attendance ranges from 2000-3000 people each April. Arbor Fest celebrates spring, conservation, and natural science. Each year features a special theme, such as "Be a Tree Champion! Protect our Trees and Forests" celebrating all the wonderful things that trees provide! Whether it's habitat for animals, clean air, erosion control, food, materials for the habitat they provide, their ability to clean the air we breathe, or the trees that are best for woodcarving, stations will focus on what makes trees great and how we can protect them! Families can expect lots of hands-on learning opportunities, crafts, and displays. Plus, over 600 families will have an opportunity to take home their own tree to plant in their yard in honor of Arbor Day. Roughly 40 stations, sponsored by a variety of community organizations, help us make environmental science for everyone to learn.

The Yakima Area Arboretum, along with the help of our Affiliated Partners, offers an assortment of classes, hands-on workshops, guest lecturers, and more each year to help connect people with nature. Topics range from proper tree pruning and planting, to composting, flower arranging, and Kid's Nature Nights.