Yakima Area Arboretum

08/12/2026

*This month, the talk is on Thursday, not the usual Tuesday!

World traveler, photographer, author, and fantastic pen artist Jim Christensen will take you through his travels around the globe by showing his photos and drawings, discussing his time exploring the wonders of our natural world. This presentation will showcase great birds and birding in Florida! Join us on Thursday, August 27th, 2026, at 6pm!

These talks are FREE to attend, but donations are gladly accepted. Jim will be selling some of his prints from his original drawings to support the Yakima Area Arboretum as well to those interested!

07/31/2026

07/16/2026

Attention Artists! The Yakima Arboretum has launched a request for qualifications (RFQ) for an exciting, paid mural opportunity at their facility. This will be a high visibility mural with local flora and fauna as its subject. Sound interesting? See the website: ahtrees.org and download the full RFQ. Be sure to read all the details before applying! A limited number of artists who respond to the RFQ will be chosen to move into the second round, and submit a more detailed proposal (honorarium provided for second round artists). Questions? See the Arboretum website. Never applied to an RFQ? Stop by the gallery and ask us for advice! DEADLINE JULY 30, 2026.

07/16/2026

Today's the final day for voting! Help put the Arboretum on the map and show that what Yakima thinks about the Arboretum!

We're honored to be nominated in four categories for the Yakima Herald-Republic Readers' Choice Awards:

Best Place for Celebrations
Best Place to Say "I Do"
Family Entertainment
Special Event Venue

https://www.yakimaherald.com/readers_choice/ #//

Your daily vote helps shine a spotlight on everything the Arboretum has to offer, from unforgettable weddings and celebrations to free family programs and community events. Recognition like this helps introduce more people to the Arboretum, supports our venue rentals, and strengthens our ability to continue providing beautiful gardens, educational opportunities, and special experiences for the Yakima community.

https://www.yakimaherald.com/readers_choice/ #//

Thank you for supporting the Yakima Area Arboretum, we truly appreciate every vote!

07/06/2026

We're honored to be nominated in four categories for the Yakima Herald-Republic Readers' Choice Awards:

Best Place for Celebrations
Best Place to Say "I Do"
Family Entertainment
Special Event Venue

See our profile here: https://www.yakimaherald.com/readers_choice/ #/gallery/546764340

Your daily vote helps shine a spotlight on everything the Arboretum has to offer, from unforgettable weddings and celebrations to free family programs and community events. Recognition like this helps introduce more people to the Arboretum, supports our venue rentals, and strengthens our ability to continue providing beautiful gardens, educational opportunities, and special experiences for the Yakima community.

Thank you for supporting the Yakima Area Arboretum, we truly appreciate every vote!

https://www.yakimaherald.com/readers_choice/ #/gallery/546764340

07/03/2026

🎆 Celebrate Safely This Fourth of July 🎆

The Arboretum grounds are closed to the general public this Saturday for Fourth of July!

As we celebrate our nation's birthday, we also ask everyone to help protect the places that make Yakima special.

Fireworks are illegal throughout most of Yakima County, including the City of Yakima and unincorporated Yakima County. In our dry climate, a single spark can quickly ignite brush, grass, trees, or even nearby structures, putting lives, homes, wildlife, and treasured community spaces at risk.

The Yakima Area Arboretum is never an appropriate place to use fireworks. Our gardens, mature trees, natural areas, and the surrounding Yakima Greenway pathways and parks are especially vulnerable during the summer months. Please help us keep these spaces safe for everyone to enjoy.

Thank you for helping protect our Arboretum, our parks, our neighbors, and our beautiful Yakima Valley. Have a safe and happy Independence Day!🌳

07/03/2026

The flags are flying once again!

Thanks to some new equipment, our grounds crew was able to re-outfit the flagpole in the upcoming Rose Garden bed and proudly raise both the United States and Washington State flags once again.

Of course, as soon as we got them up... the wind decided to take the day off! 😄 But we're sure they'll be waving proudly again soon.

We're especially excited to have them flying high as our nation begins celebrating America's 250th anniversary. If you're visiting the Arboretum this summer, be sure to stop by the Rose Garden, enjoy the blooms, and take a moment to appreciate these symbols of our state and country.

A big thank you to our hardworking grounds crew for helping keep the Arboretum looking its best every day! 🌹🌿