Species of the Month

California Ground Squirrel

As Spring approaches, the plants and animals of the Arboretum are starting to wake up from Winter's season of lower activity. Recently, we've spotted California ground squirrels (Otospermophilus beecheyi), active again after their Winter hibernation. While the ground squirrels are well camouflaged, look closely and you may see them in the Arboretum in meadows, emerging from their burrows, or hiding out in trees. Read more and see if you can identify this squirrel at the Arboretum on your next hike:

• California ground squirrels feature a distinct, mottled fur pattern that helps them to blend in with the meadows and grasslands they occupy (as pictured above).
• They are about a foot long with six inch tails and weigh around a pound.
• California ground squirrels live in underground burrows that they dig for themselves. Some burrows are shared between multiple ground squirrels, but each squirrel often has its own entrance.
• They spend most of their lives in their burrow, and rarely venture over 50 meters away.
• California ground squirrels have cheek pouches that they use to transport food. Their diets are made up of primarily seeds, grains, nuts, fruits, roots, crickets, and grasshoppers.
• Recently, they were discovered to hunt and eat voles! Not only are they omnivores, this discovery suggests that they are far more adaptable and opportunistic than previously thought.
• California ground squirrels have developed a number of techniques to ward off rattlesnake predation.
• Some populations have resistance to the venom.
• Female squirrels will also chew on the skins shed by rattlesnakes and then lick their young pups to mask their scent.
• They will also super-heat and swish their tails around when they encounter a rattlesnake, this attempts to communicate that they are too big and fast moving for the snake to successfully hunt. In most observed encounters, this behavior has successfully stopped the snake in its tracks.

Photo by Bryan Ribelin

Oaks Ecology Through the Seasons

Looking to deepen your connection with the ecology of the Arboretum? Want to support the continuation of accessible adult nature education in our community? Join our immersive fundraiser series, "Oak Ecology Through The Seasons", where you'll witness the fascinating life of oak tree habitat across all four seasons. Through intimate 2-hour sessions in Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter, you'll develop an appreciation and understanding for our endangered oak habitats.

Your participation helps keep our community education programs financially accessible to all. By investing $500 in this unique series, you're not only gaining valuable ecological knowledge but also supporting inclusive nature education in our community.

Perfect for nature enthusiasts, lifelong learners, and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of our natural world. Reserve your spot today and be part of sustaining environmental education for everyone.

April 25th 10am - 1pm

Wildflowers and their pollinators in oak habitat, led by August Jackson

July 25th 10am - 1pm

Oak galls and their inhabitants, led by Kevin House

Nov 7th 10am - 12pm 

Fantastic Fungi of oak habitats, led by August Jackson

January 9th 10am - 12pm

Lichens of Oregon white oaks, led by August Jackson

Become a Volunteer Nature Guide

Join our team of dedicated volunteers and become a Nature Guide with us! Share your knowledge and love of the outdoors with local elementary students. In spring and fall of each year, Mount Pisgah Arboretum offers a free training program for volunteers interested in becoming Nature Guides. The goal of this program is to make the students’ classroom science education come alive out on the trails and reconnect them to the natural world.

Nature Guide Orientation

Tuesday, March 10th 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM

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.

March Bird Tour

Sunday, March 8th 9:00 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 early spring migrants. Come discover the Arboretum’s avian diversity!

Spectacular Seeds Family Tour with Nurturely

Saturday, March 14th 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM &

Wednesday, March 25th 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

As things begin to bud out or bloom, together we will search for the season's first flowers and discover how their seeds disperse. We will have some sensory-based time to explore what makes a seed so spectacular!

Fire Ecology Tour with FUSEE

Sunday, March 22nd 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

FUSEE (Firefighters United for Safety, Ethics, and Ecology) staff will talk about fire ecology, Indigenous fire stewardship, and restoration programs on Mount Pisgah. This will also be an opportunity to learn more about ecological fire management and policies that shape our ecosystems and landscapes.

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. 

All work parties meet at the bottom of the parking lot near the shop (just past the bright orange trailer). 

Daffodil Dig-Up

Saturday, March 14th 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Come help us remove invasive daffodils to support our native plants.

You can take home the daffodils that you dig up for your home garden!

Wildflower Garden Work Party

Saturday, March 28th 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Help us maintain our Wildflower Garden and enhance visitor experience by clearing out undesirable species throughout the area, resurfacing trails, and prepping beds for future plantings.

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.

The Incense-Cedar Trail is Open Again, Featuring Two New Bridges

Thank you for your patience as we have been installing two new bridges on the Incense-Cedar trail, right before the junction with the Jette Trail. The trail is open again and now features two beautiful, stable bridges that are ready to support hikers for years to come.

Recent Coyote Activity

Frequent coyote sightings around the Arboretum continue. Make sure you know what to do when you encounter a coyote or recreate in an area where coyotes are present:

• Please scare coyotes away with loud noise, clapping, etc!

• Supervise small children when outside

• Do not leave food or water bowls outside or feed wildlife

• Keep dogs leashed

Contact us if you encounter unusual behavior in the park. Thanks for helping us keep wildlife and park-goers safe.

In-Kind Wishlist

Straw Bales

We reuse straw bales year after year for our festival seating and many of our trusty bales have worn out. Contact us if you have spare straw bales and we can let you know where to drop them off. If you anticipate having extra straw bales in the future, please let us know.

Espresso Machine

Help our team stay energized with your gently used espresso machine... no, really.

Explore the Arboretum on a Track Chair

We are proud to host two all-terrain track chairs through the organization David's Chair. They are free to use and can be reserved in advance through our website or by calling our office.