Great Camas (Camassia leichtlinii)

Species of the Month

Camas Camas Camas

What a glorious year for camas! Around the Arboretum, much of the camas is wilting and going to seed, but in town it seems to still be in peak bloom.

Swathes of blue camas in bloom are like magic, and well worth stopping to stare. If you've been looking closely, you may have noticed the occasional white bloom and asked yourself "Is this the infamous death camas?"

• Camas was originally classified as a member of the lily family (Liliaceae). When that family was split, some taxonomists placed it under what was known as Hyacinthaceae until DNA studies led to relegating the hyacinths to a subfamily (Scilloideae) of the asparagus family (Asparagaceae) and placing camas in the subfamily with agaves and yuccas (Agavoideae) within that same family. 
• Death camas is a common name applied to several species within a completely different family, Melanthiaceae. Another member of this family that may be familiar to visitors of the Arboretum is trilium.
• Despite the similarities in their common names, the flowers of these plants are easily distinguishable. Death camas has much smaller, more densely packed flowers.
• Many people think of death camas as looking like a camas plant with white flowers, but Camassia leichtlinii also occasionally occurs as a white-flowered plant. There is even a subspecies (Camassia leichtlinii) in southern Oregon, which consistently produces white flowers.

Great Camas (Camassia leichtlinii) & Meadow death camas (Zigadenus venenosus)

Enjoy all the festival has to offer:

• Live music from local bands
• Native plant sale
• Art installations
• Wildflower display
• Crafts and vendors

If you're a member, check your email to claim your free tickets.

Want to help out? Volunteer at the festival! We could not make these events happen without our incredible volunteers. Help out and get in free!

Unveiling our Strategic Plan

After months of listening, reflecting, and collaborating, we’re excited to share our 2025-2030 Strategic Plan! This roadmap is built from the insights of our community—volunteers, staff, members, and partners—and outlines our bold steps to strengthen stewardship, inclusivity, and education at Mount Pisgah Arboretum.

Join us on this journey as we enhance the place we all love.

Summer Club Registration is Live!

Looking for some summer fun for kiddos?

Check out the full list of themes and sign up now to get your perfect spot.

Art & Nature Workshop

Saturday, May 10th 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Join Clara-Julia Peru for a hands-on workshop that blends artistic expression with nature exploration, guiding participants to create unique mixed-media art pieces inspired by the delicate blooms and landscapes of Spring.

The workshop includes art materials and instruction provided. For adults & kids (ages 9 and older).

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.

May Bird Tour

Sunday, May 11th 8:00 AM - 11:30 PM

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. Please bring binoculars. Rain or shine.

Upcoming Work Parties Tours

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. 

Oak Savanna Trail Work Party

Saturday, May 10th 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

We will be working on tread, resurfacing, and building out the switchback on the trail.

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.