The daffodils have arrived!

Dear Friends,

Even though I have been working here for 16 years, I am still in awe every April when the daffodils begin to bloom. Spring has arrived at the Arboretum, and this Sunday, April 14, we invite you to join us as we kick off the season with our annual Daffodil Day Festival. Details can be found below.

I am also looking forward to our Notable Speaker Series which launches Thursday, April 11 with a presentation by Lindsey Taylor based on her new book, 'Art in Flower: Finding Inspiration in Art and Nature.’ I hope to see you there!



Until next time,

IT'S GOING TO BE A GROOVY DAY!

Daffodil Day is a decades-old tradition in Summit when visitors to the Arboretum have an opportunity to enjoy one of the largest daffodil collections in New Jersey – over 50,000 bulbs in bloom in the Arboretum's glacially carved Daffodil Bowl!

This year is extra special as we celebrate our 50th anniversary. The Arboretum was established in 1974, so we are taking it back to the 1970s with flower power! The day’s activities will include spring-themed games and crafts, story and history trails, art, music, food and market vendors, and of course, the Green Goats will be here. Feel free to come in your vintage threads, tie-dye t-shirts, bell-bottom denims, and more! The day is going to be outta sight!

Online ticket sales end Friday, April 12 at 2 pm, so get your tickets now! Ticket prices will increase the day of the event. Click here.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Title Sponsor: The Oldendorp Group

Bronze Sponsors: Axia Women's Health, Hilltop Tutoring, Plant Health Organics, Reliable Office Solutions, Space & Mark Architecture, The UPS Store

Recently featured in Galerie and Better Homes & Gardens Magazines

Thursday, April 11, 6:30 - 8 pm / Onsite & Virtual

Artist, writer, gardener, and photographer, Lindsey Taylor, will inspire us with a beautiful presentation based on her new book, Art in Flower. Founder of Lindsey Taylor Design, Taylor creates gardens and landscapes for public and private clients throughout the Northeast and is a former garden editor of Martha Stewart Living, Domino, and Garden Design magazines. Her work has also appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Gardenista. Art in Flower will be available for pre-order with a book signing to follow the presentation! Click here.

Click on program titles for more information and to register.

Registration is required unless otherwise noted.

The Secret Tea Room - Make your reservations!

Enjoy an enchanting tea service with brewed-to-perfection teas and fusions, scrumptious scones, delectable tea sandwiches, and more.

Wednesday Cream Tea: Most Wednesdays through July 17

Friday Evening Tea: April 19 (Daffodils), May 10 (Mother's Day)

Saturday Afternoon Tea: April 20 (Daffodils), May 11 (Mother's Day)

Sunday Afternoon Tea: April 21 (Daffodils), May 12 (Mother's Day), June 16 (Father's Day), July 14

Become a Garden Docent! - Free Training Tours

Monday, April 15, 1:30 - 2:30 pm or Saturday, April 20, 10:30 -11:30 am

If you have a love of horticulture and history, consider becoming a Garden Docent! Learn more about this program by attending a free introductory garden tour. 

Goat Yoga - Just a few spots left at the 11 am session!

Saturday, April 20, 11 am

Enjoy a morning yoga class in our garden and experience what goat yoga is all about! This joyful class will help you clear your mind, relax, and have fun with some loveable goats. Register early - this program always sells out!

Spring Awakening - WELLNESS

Sunday, April 21, 2 - 4 pm

Led by Reiki Master/Meditation Teacher Lisa Batitto, owner of Enlightened Path Healing, this 2-hour workshop offers a guided lower chakra meditation with ecstatic breathwork, a Reiki healing circle with intuitive sharing, and more.

Seasonal Floral Workshops - ODE TO SPRING!

Thursdays, April 25 and May 23, 11 am - 1 pm

Invite the season into your home by creating a joyful spring bouquet using fragrant florals! These workshops are led by Daica Skrobala, owner and floral designer of Polycarp Flowers.

Free Saturday Garden Tours

Saturdays, April 27 through October 12, 10:30 am + 1:30 pm

(Please note on April 27 there will only be a tour at 1:30 pm.)

Meet at the Visitors' Center for a tour of the season's highlights.

Spring Woodland Walk - JUST ADDED

Thursday, May 2, 1 - 2:30 pm

Join Woodland Horticulturist Daniel Phillips for a spring walk through our woodlands. See which woodland ephemerals are in bloom, learn about mature native overstory trees, understory shrubs, and invasive plants of all kinds, as well as our continued woodland restoration work!

Plant Sale Weekend

Friday, May 10, 2 - 7 pm - RRA members

Saturday, May 11, 10 am to 3 pm - Open to the public

Sunday, May 12, 10 am to 3 pm - Open to the public

Join us in commemorating five decades of nurturing nature and fostering a vibrant, green community here online and at our live plant sale! As the only arboretum in Union County, Reeves-Reed Arboretum has been a sanctuary of biodiversity and environmental education. Help us continue our mission by supporting this fundraiser and bring home a piece of our arboreal haven to your own garden! Place pre-orders here!

Sip & Shop at Tea & Oranges - SAVE THE DATE!

Friday, May 10, 5 - 7 pm

Shop for beautiful accessories, clothing, and more at this one-of-a-kind downtown Summit boutique and support the Arboretum. 10% of sales on this date will be donated to the Arboretum in celebration of our 50th anniversary gala. Small bites and drinks will be served.

Forest Bathing Mini-Retreats - WELLNESS

Sundays, May 12, July 14, and August 11, 9:30 am - 12 pm

Thursday, June 20, 6 - 8:30 pm - Summer Solstice!

Enjoy spiritually and emotionally enriching meditative walks in nature on the beautiful grounds of the Arboretum. Led by Certified Nature & Therapy Guide, Rich Collins.

Summit Garden Tour - TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

Thursday, May 30, 10 am - 3 pm

In partnership with the Summit Garden Club, we are excited to announce the Summit Garden Tour in celebration of the Arboretum’s 50th Anniversary. Your ticket includes a self-guided tour of 8 uniquely designed gardens in Summit that are sure to give you lots of inspiration for your own garden, refreshments and lite bites from the Secret Tea Room, a pop-up garden shop, and more!

Kayaking: Passaic River / Great Swamp Paddle - JUST ADDED!

Sunday, June 2, 1:30 - 4:30 pm

Paddle the Passaic River and enjoy beautiful scenery and plenty of wildlife. Led by an ACA (American Canoe Association) certified kayak instructor from Kayak East, this tour is rated "Easy," meaning no experience is necessary.

ART in the Garden 50th Anniversary Gala

Saturday, June 8, 7 - 11 pm

We are going to party like it's 1974 with live music, specialty cocktails, a full open bar, delectable offerings from David Ellis Events, Live & Silent Auctions, a wine raffle, and a very groovy VW bus photo booth!

Click here for event, ticket, and sponsorship information!

Spring Session / Recurring Nature Programs

These fun and educational nature programs feature different engaging topics each week including Earth Day, Treemendous, Arbor Day, Endangered Species, Bees, and more.

Little Wonders - Mondays, 1 -2 pm (ages 0-3 w/adult) - JUST ADDED NEW PM SESSIONS!

Oaks and Acorns - Wednesdays, 1 - 2 pm (ages 3-5 w/adult)

Arboretum Afternoons - Thursdays, 4 - 5 pm (ages 5-8)

Discovery Weekends (families with children ages 3+)

Saturdays and Sundays through May 19, 9 am - 3 pm

Drop by the Stackhouse Education Center for this self-guided program. Borrow a magnifying glass, grab an interactive activity guide, and head out to see what wonders big and small await. There may be a surprise or two, a clue to follow, a mystery to solve, a chance to create, and always an engaging nature activity. Registration is not required.

Browsing Library Now Open! (families with children)

Saturdays and Sundays through May 19, 9 am - 3 pm

Drop by the Stackhouse Education Center and enjoy our children's browsing library featuring a wonderful selection of nature-related books! Registration is not required.

Summer Camp

We have a few openings in the following summer camps. Register today!

Week #3 - June 24 - 28 - Fields of Wonder

Week #4 - July 8 - 12 - Crafty Kids

Week #5 - August 5 - 9 - Explore! Discover! Create!

Registration is required for all volunteer opportunities. Click on the titles below for more information. For questions or to register, email Trish Cassin here.

Daffodil Day Volunteers NEEDED!

Help with demonstrations, arts and crafts, and more! Available shifts: 10:30 am - 1 pm, 1 - 3:30 pm, and 10:30 am - 3:30 pm. Community service hours available.

Garden Greeters - NEW!

We are looking for volunteers during April and May to welcome visitors to the Arboretum, answer questions, and provide maps and directions for guests. It's a great way to share your love of the Arboretum with new visitors! Weekday and weekend shifts available.

Junior Camp Counselor

Teens 14+ years old are invited to volunteer at our summer nature camp. Junior counselors must be available for a minimum of 4 weeks. Click here and scroll down to Seasonal and Internships for more information.

Education Volunteers

If you have a background in education, or just enjoy nature and working with children, volunteer to assist our educators with our children's programs.

Corporate Volunteer Days!

Book your team's volunteer day in our gardens, trails, and woodlands. Projects run Wednesday - Friday, March - May, and September - October. Click here for details.

WEEKLY VOLUNTEER SESSIONS

Ground Force (ages 14+, 12-13 w/an adult)

Thursdays & Saturdays, 10 am - 12 pm

Join our staff outdoors to maintain and enhance the beauty of our grounds.

Woodland Restoration (ages 14+, 12-13 w/an adult)

Fridays, 9:30 am - 12:00 pm

Help restore existing trails, plant native trees, remove invasives, and more!

NATURE EPHEMERAL extended through May 30!

Susan Richman's exhibition offers a mesmerizing glimpse into the transient allure of nature's fleeting wonders. All works are for sale and the artist will donate 30% to the Arboretum. The Wisner House Gallery is open to the public Tuesday through Sunday, 10 am - 4 pm, except when closed for private events.

SHOP THE ARBORETUM & 50/50 RAFFLE

As we usher in our 50th year as a public arboretum we are celebrating with new swag that includes mugs, tote bags, caps, and more, as well as our fundraising 50/50 Raffle! All items are for sale at upcoming programs and events, and during Wisner House hours, Tuesday-Sunday, 10 am - 4 pm. Questions? Give us a call at 908-273-8787, x1010.

The Arboretum is looking for CORPORATE PARTNERS!

Corporate Sponsorship is a fantastic way to showcase your brand and show your support for the Arboretum. Opportunities are available at nearly every level. For more information contact Patty Butler at (908) 273-8787, x1414 or p.butler@reeves-reedarboretum.org.

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@reevesreedarboretum

Reeves-Reed Arboretum programs and events in 2023 were made possible, in part, by support from:

Grants / E.J. Grassmann Trust; Garden Clubs of America; Hyde & Watson Foundation; Investors Foundation; Mary Reinhart Stackhouse Foundation; NJ Historic Trust; Overlook Foundation; The Summit Foundation; Summit Garden Club; Union County Board of County Commissioners, a division of the Department of State, through a grant administered by the Union County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs, Department of Parks & Community Renewal Union Foundation

Corporate/Business Sponsors / Bartlett Tree Experts; Barth’s Market; Bassett Associates; Beacon Hill Club; Cambridge Wines; Chubb; Creative Digital Solutions; Douglas Volkswagen + Infiniti; David Ellis Events; The Farm at Green Village; Fisk Foto; Fountainhead Advisors; Great Swamp Nursery; The Gypset; Hadley Peterson Landscaping & Design; Infantini Landscaping; JAM Graphics; James M. Wood, CPA; Java’s Compost; Jennifer Hinger Photography; Kayak East; Leaf + Line; Lees Peck Group/Prominent Properties; Lois Schneider Realtor; Mobility Elevator & Lift Co.; Natale's Bakery; Nexgen Sources; The Oldendorp Group; Peapack Private Wealth Management; Peerless Beverage Co.; PSE&G; Polestar; Rosen Kelly Conway Architecture & Design; Seasons Floral Design; Shoprite; The Secret Tea Room; Silver Lining Jewelry; Sonja Gamgort Design, LLC; Tea & Oranges; Totes Goats, LLC; Zita’s Homemade Ice Cream