The Cowling Arboretum is a place that stirs up curiosity in all kinds of people.

Carleton students often cite the Arboretum as a brilliant safety valve for their mental health. When we find ourselves grinding our teeth on 2nd libe to the rhythm of the boy eating chips loudly behind us, spending some time in the woods is a perfect alternative to both relax and recharge.

Learn more about the Minnesota Master Naturalist Volunteer Training

Arb Temporary Trail Closures

Read about our restoration project funded through a grant from the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund.

New trees in the Arb!

Changes to the trail system in the Upper Arboretum as of August 17, 2012.

New Publication: Common Trees of the Carleton College Cowling Arboretum

Last Friday, Diane Angell, Assistant Professor of biology at St. Olaf, stopped by the Arb office to give a talk about some little things that have been on her mind lately—furry little things.

Along with the regular prairie planting that happened in the Arb this fall, a new research project, overlaid on one of the plantings was also initiated. This project is designed to investigate the impact of inoculating our restoration plantings with soil from original, never plowed, prairie remnants.

When Fall descends on the Arb, it means it’s time for one of the most important activities that happens all year: prairie planting.

Wild Parsnip, Pastinaca sativa, is an invasive, non-native plant growing abundantly in portions of the Arboretum and in some of the un-mowed areas on campus such as around Lyman Lakes. While Arboretum and Grounds staff are working to control this plant, it is important that Arb users be aware of possible health risks.