Tohono Chul, the peaceful 49-acre botanic garden, arboretum and nature preserve located at 7366 N. Paseo Del Norte, has announced the completion of its new Adaptive Arboretum. Now open within the park, this climate-resilient garden is designed to demonstrate how native desert trees support healthy ecosystems while creating a beautiful, welcoming experience for visitors.
On Saturday, Oct. 3, a private ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place along with the debut of the Arboretum on Tap series, which offers entertainment, fun, and food and drinks for all guests.
“The Adaptive Arboretum is a beautiful expression of what is possible when we design with the future in mind,” said Jamie Maslyn Larson, president and CEO of Tohono Chul. “It gives our guests a chance to experience firsthand how native desert trees contribute to healthy ecosystems and climate resiliency, while also creating a place of beauty, discovery and connection.”
The new garden provides guests with an opportunity to explore the vital role trees play in the Sonoran Desert and encourages them to consider how thoughtfully designed landscapes can respond to a changing climate. The collection of native trees featured in the Adaptive Arboretum was carefully selected to intentionally illustrate the ecological, environmental and human benefits of creating resilient desert landscapes.
“This garden is a living testament to the beauty of native trees and their crucial role as urban infrastructure to make our cities more livable and beautiful,” said Jack Dash, gardens and facilities manager at Tohono Chul.
The Adaptive Arboretum is a reflection of Tohono Chul’s commitment to innovative approaches to desert horticulture and landscape design. As climate conditions continue to evolve, the garden provides a living example of how landscapes can be designed to thrive in the Sonoran Desert while supporting biodiversity, providing shade and habitat, and enhancing the visitor experience.
Like the other gardens, galleries and experiences throughout the park, the Adaptive Arboretum encourages guests to slow down, explore and view the desert landscape from new perspectives. Interpretive elements help visitors understand the important relationships among trees, wildlife, water, soil and people with the hope of inspiring them to consider how they can create more resilient landscapes in their own communities.
On Saturday, Oct. 3 at 11 a.m., a private ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place in celebration of the new Adaptive Arboretum. At noon, Tohono Chul debuts Arboretum on Tap, a new event series held within the Adaptive Arboretum featuring a newly built custom bar serving up cold beers on tap as well as cocktails. Open to the public, the ongoing event will include a rotating variety of local food trucks and entertainment, including live DJs, all under the cool shade of Tohono Chul’s newest garden.
This series will take place on the first Saturday of each month from noon to 3 p.m. through Saturday, May 1, 2027. It is free with garden admission, free for members and free for children under two years of age.
The Adaptive Arboretum is also now available for private event rentals, such as parties, receptions, outdoor lectures and more. This stunning multi-purpose space is designed not only as a garden to explore, but as a place for learning, events, conversation and socializing, food and drink, tours, workshops and more, making it the ideal spot to host a private event that can be curated to an array of individualized needs.
Exploration of the Adaptive Arboretum is included in entry to Tohono Chul. For more about the Adaptive Arboretum and Tohono Chul, visit www.tohonochul.org.
