The Arboretum at South Seattle College is a 5.5 acre outdoor classroom and laboratory serving all students at South Seattle College. All of the gardens in the Arboretum have been installed by students in the Landscape Horticulture program. And on a daily basis during the academic year there are students using the Arboretum for study or hands-on learning. The Arboretum contains many rare and unusual plant species, including an outstanding collection of dwarf conifers.
The Arboretum is an environmental asset to the city of Seattle that, through sustainable landscape practices, helps filter ground water running into the Duwamish waterway and cleans impurities from the air we breathe. The Arboretum is also a significant community resource providing a botanical oasis where people can walk paths and enjoy the many beautiful display gardens. It is open to the general public (at no cost) from dawn to dusk every day.
Currently, the Arboretum operates with one part-time management intern, one student intern and occasional volunteers. It is managed without chemicals, and therefore requires more labor to maintain. The assistance of community volunteers over the years has been crucial to maintain the Arboretum.
Maintenance work in the Arboretum has been selected many times in the past as an outstanding Day of Caring Project. Participants need not have any prior experience in garden or landscape maintenance! Participants will, however, need sturdy footwear, long pants, sunscreen, gloves, and rain gear as the project involves work outdoors. All tools will be supplied by the Arboretum and Landscape Horticulture program at South Seattle College (weeders, rakes, hoes, shovels, wheelbarrows, etc.). Participants may bring and use their personal gardening tools if they prefer.
South Seattle College will provide beverages and lunch for all volunteers. The project will start with coffee, juice, and breakfast snacks at 9:00 am in the Garden Center at South Seattle College, a short briefing of the project maintenance tasks, work in the Arboretum until 1:30 pm, followed by lunch.
