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Species of the Month
Assassin Bugs
Goal #4 of our Strategic Plan
Summer Club
Join the Development Committee
Summer Celebration & Annual Meeting
Upcoming Events
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Join the Development Committee
Do you have a passion for fundraising or experience in development work? Are you committed to ensuring that Mount Pisgah Arboretum remains a vital community resource for future generations? Can you dedicate 2-8 hours per month to making a meaningful impact? If so, apply to be on our Development Committee!
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White Oak Pavilion, Now Booking 2027!
Getting married, hosting a party, or looking for a retreat space in 2025, 2026, or 2027? Dates are filling up fast to book our White Oak Pavilion, so reach out now to reserve your spot in this unforgettable venue.
To book or learn more, please email
events@mountpisgaharboretum.org
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Insect Insights: Assassin Bugs
"As you might guess from the name, Assassin Bugs are stealthy and efficient hunters. They pack around a lethal weapon and can call upon a personal stash of toxins for chemical warfare..."
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2025 Annual Report
Couldn't make it to the summer celebration? Check out the annual report online or swing by the office to pick up a copy.
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Help Us Get Mail Out To Our Members
Help out the Arboretum and connect with fellow nature enthusiasts!
We are looking for volunteers to help prepare a large, bi-annual round of mail to go out to our members on Wednesday, July 9th! We have a short turn around to get out several thousand letters that will need to be stuffed, sealed, and labeled, and we can't do it all ourselves.
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Species of the Month
California Gall Wasp
You've probably noticed speckled galls and apple galls on oak trees before. These are just the most recognizable oak galls, if you look closely you'll begin to notice more galls of all shapes and sizes around the Arboretum and beyond. Galls are produced by a plant for the benefit of a different organism, most oak galls are induced by wasps. Oak gall wasps lay their eggs in the plant tissue which results in the growth of the gall and provides nutrition and shelter for the developing larva. The California Gall Wasp (Andricus quercuscalifornicus) forms a recognizable oak gall often referred to as an apple gall given it's apple-like appearance (see below).
- Most oak galls contain just one larva, but apple galls typically contain multiple.
- About 30,000 species of arthropods induce galls, though many are very simple structures.
- Gall Wasps are arthropods in the family Cynipidae - the second largest group of gall inducers after gall midges (Cecidomyiidae)
- Most alternate between sexual and asexual (parthenogenic/agamic) generations, each with distinct gall morphologies
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Some species apparently reproduce strictly via parthenogenesis and produce very few males due to infection by Wolbachia (a reproductive parasitic bacterium which can cause parthenogenesis, feminization, and increased male deaths in the species it parasitizes)
- Galls induced by cynipids are not just simple masses of plant cells, but consist of specific arrangements of differentiated nutritive, protective, and other specialized tissues - the development of which are orchestrated by the wasp and/or developing larva
- These tissues constitute novel plant organs
- Galls are considered a part of the wasp's extended phenotype. Even though the galls are produced by the oak tree, they are ultimately an expression of the wasp's genes.
Image above by August Jackson, below by Cat Chang
| Introducing Goal #4 of our 2025-2030 Strategic Plan |
Mount Pisgah Arboretum will Provide Equitable Access to Programs and Resources.
Desired Outcomes
- Visitors have options for accessing the Arboretum.
- Staff and board reflect diversity of the community.
- Education curriculum is redesigned to be more accessible to a wider community.
- Interpretive exhibits are accessible and utilized.
- The Arboretum venue serves as a vibrant hub for community events and activities.
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Don't Forget to Register for Summer Club!
We've been having a blast at Summer Club at Mount Pisgah Arboretum! There are seven more weeks of fun, sign your kiddo up now while spots are still available.
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What a Fantastic Summer Celebration!
Thanks to everyone who came out, enjoyed the afternoon at the Arboretum, and generously helped us raise funds for a much-needed new tractor. It was so rewarding to connect with our community and reflect back on the last year with shared love for this magical place.
We also elected new board members who will be announced soon.
The day could not have been possible without the generous (and delicious) donations from local businesses. Thank you to Rue 25 Winery, Mountain Rose Herbs, Charles Little & Company, The Bread Stop, Capella Market, Claim 52 Brewing, and Oregon Ice Cream Company (featuring Ice Cream Ambassador, Ron serving up refreshing treats).
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Upcoming Nature Tours
All guided tours start at the Mount Pisgah Arboretum Education Building. Pre-registration is required. Members and kids under 4 are FREE, Non-Members $5 per person.
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Insect Tour
Sunday, July 6th 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Open your eyes to the fascinating world of insects on a tour led by insect-enthusiast and Mount Pisgah blog author Karen Richards. We’ll look into the incredible adaptations of some creatures you may recognize, and no doubt learn about some lesser-known insects as well. Every insect tour is a mini-safari!
Dragonflies & Allies: Wetland Wander with WREN
Tuesday, July 8th 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Big, small, colorful and acrobatic, dragonflies and their look-alikes are fascinating creatures. Together we will explore our aquatic habitats to delve into the world of these winged wonders.
July Bird Tour
Sunday, July 13th 8:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Join Mieko Aoki and Julia Siporin for another monthly bird tour intended for people with all levels of birding experience. We’ll use vocalizations, habitat, and behavior clues for identification of our year-round residents and spring migrants. Come discover the Arboretum’s avian diversity.
Forest Ecology Workshop Series: Tree Identification & Tree Measurements
Saturday, June 19th 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
This is the first session of a three-part workshop presented by Rich Kelly, a retired forester, long time Arboretum member, and nature guide.
In this session, you will learn to identify 20 native conifer and broad-leaved trees, complete tree measurements using a variety of tools and techniques, then compare the results to the National Champion Trees of the species.
Click here to register for one, two, or all three sessions!
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Upcoming Work Parties
Become a steward of the Arboretum by helping us improve and maintain our facilities and habitat during our Work Parties!
During Work Parties, volunteers help us keep our trails, facilities, and park clean, accessible, and beautiful! No experience is required to volunteer on these days, and we will provide tools, gloves, and a parking pass.
For all our work parties, we will meet at the bottom of the parking lot near the shop (the string of buildings at the bottom of the lot) at 9 AM.
Meadow Restoration
Saturday, July 12th 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
AND Saturday, July 26th 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Swing by the Arboretum and help us remove invasive and noxious weeds, such as tansy ragwort, Queen Anne's lace, and a number of others. We will be working through along a number of trails and the meadows, so bring clothes you can get dirty!
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Get Involved
Want to make a difference in other ways? We are always looking for nature guides, trail stewards, park ambassador volunteers, and many other roles. Let's talk about how you can get involved with the Arboretum.
Learn more about some of the opportunities here.
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