An Accessible Arboretum

The Arboretum is betting on it. A new program for K-12 students from Northwest Philadelphia public schools is designed to offer benefits far beyond beech trees and birding.

A key element of the program is a newly created School Outreach Coordinator position, which enables the Arboretum to offer dynamic, experiential programming through tours and educational activities for elementary school educators and their students.

Jude Thachet was named the inaugural School Outreach Coordinator in 2022 and now leads the Environmental Sciences Program at the Arboretum. Both the new position and program are a result of philanthropy-fueled pilot funding from an anonymous donor. The Arboretum is seeking support to make the position permanent. “We’ve met with Jude and are ecstatic about our kids learning about watersheds by visiting one, rather than through traditional curriculum models,” says Erica Po, Assistant Director of STEM at Greenwoods Charter School.

Donor-generated support also provides transportation to and from school, along with entrance fees for the students. “We’ve removed some barriers to getting here and are giving kids access to this beautiful botanical garden that they may have never experienced otherwise,” says Thachet.

Although Northwest Philadelphia is known for a generous tree canopy, many public schools in the area are surrounded by concrete. To allow students from these schools to be immersed in nature, the Arboretum is offering local principals the chance to sign up third grade classes for three free field trips to the 90-acre green space over the course of a school year. “Transportation and a curriculum that meets academic standards are included, so teachers don’t need to make any decisions or do extra work,” says Bryan Thompson-Nowak, Director of Education at Morris Arboretum. “The kids can literally stop and smell the roses here.”

Transportation and a curriculum that meets academic standards are included, so teachers don’t need to make any decisions or do extra work. The kids can literally stop and smell the roses here.”Bryan Thompson-Nowak, Director of Education at Morris Arboretum

By creating a positive relationship with nature through the program, students’ imaginations are awakened, and they often sense a connection to something larger than themselves. “Kids like the ducks and swans, the Stickwork Sculpture maze, but that’s only a small part of our outdoor classroom,” says Thachet. “We’d like to get them excited about horticulture and plants.”

Nowak-Thompson, Thachet, and the rest of the Arboretum’s education team have other exciting plans to connect plants, people, and place. A high school internship program is in the planning stages, which would offer students mentorship and volunteer experience as counselors in training. These young scholars would learn about the Arboretum’s plants, hone soft job skills, and discover outdoor career paths from marketing to plant propagation.

With a renewed emphasis on school-age engagement through inclusive and accessible programming, the Arboretum is positioning itself to be a community leader, helping kids create memorable experiences with the plant world, and each other.

To support children’s education at the Morris Arboretum, contact Alison Thornton, Senior Associate Director of Development.