Matthaei
Botanical Gardens

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

Currently Closed
Opens Today – 10:00 am to 8:00 pm

Closed Mondays


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

Protecting the Eastern Massasauga

At Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum, our mission is rooted in ecological resilience. We focus on sustainability, climate-forward practices, and biocultural diversity. One species that perfectly encapsulates our efforts is the Eastern Massasauga rattlesnake. We are committed to restoring and protecting the habitats these snakes and other wildlife depend on. 


A beaver dam in Fleming Creek

Rooted in Maize and Blue

Aligned with the University of Michigan's values, we support transformative research, hands-on education, and proactive community initiatives. As an eco-centric hub, we provide a space where students, faculty, alumni, and the wider community converge to explore the natural world and develop critical solutions for tomorrow's environmental challenges.

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.

Portrait of Anthony Kolenic
Anthony Kolenic Ph.D.

Director

Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum

From the Director

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.


Icon of three human figures in outline

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

Icon of a map marker

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

Icon of a connected network

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

Icon of a sign post

Miles of Trails
Including the popular Matthaei Botanical Gardens Trail.

Icon of an formal academic cap

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

Icon of human figure with raised hand

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