Matthaei
Botanical Gardens

Explore unique outdoor gardens, nearly three miles of trails, and an indoor multi-climate conservatory.

Currently Closed
Opens Tuesday – 10:00 am to 4:30 pm

Visiting Information

1800 N Dixboro Rd. Ann Arbor | MAP ›
Free admission
Metered parking

Nichols
Arboretum

Embark on an adventure through scenic trails, captivating collections, and diverse natural areas.

Open Today
Sunrise to Sunset

Visiting Information

1600 Washington Hts. Ann Arbor | MAP ›
Free admission
Limited metered parking

Upcoming Events

Featured Stories

Honey bee collecting pollen

Get to Know Michigan’s Bees

Discover the hidden world of Michigan’s native bees and their vital role in local ecosystems as we highlight their unique appearances, behaviors, and essential interactions with plants.


A beaver dam in Fleming Creek

Beavers Settle in Fleming Creek

For the first time since the gardens were founded in 1907, beavers have made a home at Matthaei Botanical Gardens. Their dam and lodge can be seen from a trail near the Fleming Creek Overlook.

From the Director

Portrait of Anthony Kolenic
Anthony Kolenic Ph.D.

Director

Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum

Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum is committed to catalyzing equity and justice, and will continue to reckon with itself and the history of living collections to do so.

This strategic plan is our road map for how that commitment is turned into action; how MBGNA will continue to thoroughly examine and combat its participation in systemic injustices, and how we will co-create new ways forward with historically excluded communities through the years ahead.

Our Mission

Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum is a transformative force for social and ecological resilience through the waters and lands we steward. We turn this commitment into action by:

Positioning humans as active participants within the natural world and compelling the university community and our publics to negotiate the full complexity that entails.

Advancing partnerships, programs, user experience, and all that we steward to catalyze equity and justice in a radically changing world.

Emerging as University of Michigan’s premier partner for research, teaching, and public impact in sustainability, climate-forward practices, and biocultural diversity.

Promoting healthier communities, cultures, and ecosystems through active care and cultivation of the gardens, fields, natural habitats, and dynamic systems that sustain our world.

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525,000 visitors
Trailing only Michigan Medicine and UM football in attendance.

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841 Acres
Across four sites including the gardens, arboretum, a bog, and a nature area.

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30 Percent
of the University of Michigan’s physical footprint in Ann Arbor.

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Miles of Trails
Including the popular Matthaei Botanical Gardens Trail.

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4000 Early Learners
Engaged through youth education and other programs for young people.

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3,200 Students
Reached through more than 40 different classes.

Blog
Story Sharing

Get to Know Michigan’s Bees

Discover the hidden world of Michigan’s native bees and their vital role in local ecosystems as we  highlight their unique appearances, behaviors, and essential interactions with plants.