NICHOLS ARBORETUM

The Zombie Run returns on Oct. 21.

Several streets and roads will be closed between 3 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to accommodate the event.

WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI -- Several Washtenaw County-area organizations are preparing commemorative events for the 21st anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Booksweet, 1729 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, will be hosting a poetry and prose reading in remembrance of the attacks. From 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. the same day, participants can help remove invasive plants from Sunset Brooks Nature Area, 750 Sunset Road, Ann Arbor. The University of Michigan chapter of Young America’s Foundation will be placing American flags on the school’s Diag, 913 S. University Ave., Ann Arbor. The foundation traditionally plants 2,977 flags, one for each victim, as part of the 9/11 Never Forget Project.

ANN ARBOR, MI -- For its 20th anniversary, and after a two year hiatus due to the COVID 19 pandemic, Shakespeare in the Arb has returned to the Nichols Arboretum with a performance of Shakespeare’s, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”One of the major inspirations for the Shakespeare in the Arb’s work is nature.

ANN ARBOR, MI - If you’re one of the thousands of visitors to the Nichols Arboretum this summer, you are likely to see a “Hammocking Not Allowed” sign. Where nature-goers park their hindquarters in the Arb is not the concern of University of Michigan staffers, except when it carries the possibility of damaging the Arb’s plants, said Matthaei-Nichols Director Anthony Kolenic.

ANN ARBOR, MI — In the aftermath of an Amtrak train striking two pedestrians on the railroad tracks in Ann Arbor last week, local officials and residents are once again discussing the need for an Arboretum-Gallup underpass connection. “We need to give pedestrians a safe connection through that area,” said City Council Member Jen Eyer, D-4th Ward. “It’s desperately needed.”A spot in Nichols Arboretum where pedestrians many years ago carved out a path for an illegal crossing over the railroad tracks in Ann Arbor on June 8, 2022. Kayakers pass under a railroad bridge next to Nichols Arboretum in Ann Arbor on June 8, 2022.Ryan Stanton | The Ann Arbor NewsPolice said last week the pedestrians hit by the train were recovering and expected to survive. MORE FROM THE ANN ARBOR NEWS:What’s new for Washtenaw County’s Border-to-Border Trail?

ANN ARBOR, MI - You can separate Ann Arbor into two seasons: before and after the Nichols Arboretum peonies bloom. The flowers in the W.E. Upjohn Peony Garden, established in 1922, typically start to emerge and flourish in late May until mid-June. As the calendar is now in June, the vibrant colors of the rare peony flowers are officially popping.

University of Michigan's annual peony sale is live now.

ANN ARBOR, MI - The weather is finally cooperating in Ann Arbor. For the Ann Arbor nature-goers this summer, the Nichols Arboretum is ripe for a visit, if not several. Peonies bloom at Nichols Arboretum in Ann Arbor on Wednesday, May 19, 2021.Jacob Hamilton | The Ann Arbor NewsPeony GardenThe peony garden in the Arb turns 100 this year, and the plants still produce vibrant blooms of many colors. The Prairie on the eastern side of the Nichols Arboretum in Ann Arbor.Sam Dodge | MLive.comThe PrairieThe prairie dominates the east side of the Arb, containing some of the most threatended of Michigan’s native plant communities, officials say. From more than a century ago to now, the Arb still stands as a landmark of natural beauty for UM and Ann Arbor.

The Peony Garden at U-M's Nichols Arboretum has a new name.

Here's how you can purchase tickets to the beloved Shakespeare in the Arb on U-M's campus.

ANN ARBOR, MI - For 100 years, one of the world’s foremost collection of rare peonies has been in Ann Arbor within the Nichols Arboretum, also known as “the Arb.”The W.E. Upjohn Peony Garden, named for its original 1922 benefactor, contains 230 different varieties of the peony plant, including the more-common herbaceous and the rarer and larger tree varieties. It is now North America’s largest collection of heirloom and antique peonies.

Applying fertilizer derived from nutrient-rich urine could have environmental and economic benefits, say the professors.

Two University of Michigan researchers are putting the “pee” in peony.

A pair of University of Michigan researchers are putting the “pee” in peony. Rather, they're putting pee ON peonies. Environmental engineering professors Nancy Love and Krista Wigginton are regular visitors to the Ann Arbor school's Nichols Arboretum, where they have been applying urine-based fertilizer to the heirloom peony beds ahead of the flowers' annual spring bloom.

Environmental engineering professors Nancy Love and Krista Wigginton are regular visitors to the Ann Arbor school's Nichols Arboretum, where they have been applying urine-based fertilizer to the heirloom peony beds ahead of the flowers'...

See what U-M has in store for its Peony Garden's centennial.

U-M's Matthaei Botanical Gardens has several internship opportunities available this summer.

Here's a roundup of our favorite places to go for a stroll in Tree Town.

Push yourself to enjoy the great outdoors this season with U-M's annual challenge.

Here's how you can volunteer during peak bloom weekend in 2022.

Volunteer workdays are back at Nichols Arboretum and Matthaei Botanical Gardens.

Here's a list of activities to enjoy in nature in the Ann Arbor area.

Here's a list of activities to enjoy in nature in the Ann Arbor area.

ANN ARBOR, MI — Ann Arbor has officially declared September to be Entheogenic Plant and Fungi Awareness Month, and a psychedelic mushroom festival is on tap to celebrate. That includes ayahuasca, ibogaine, mescaline, peyote, psilocybin mushrooms and other natural compounds with hallucinogenic properties deemed illegal under state and federal law, though not synthetic compounds like LSD. To celebrate the anniversary of Ann Arbor’s decriminalization move, there will be a “sacred plant and mushroom festival” called Entheo Fest every September in Ann Arbor, starting next month on Sept. 19, states the resolution City Council approved Monday night. Why Ann Arbor officials decided to decriminalize psychedelic mushrooms, plantsThe awareness resolution council approved Monday night proclaims practices with entheogenic plants and fungi have been considered sacred to human cultures and human relationships with nature for thousands of years. Julie Barron, executive director of Decriminalize Nature Ann Arbor, said last September’s decriminalization resolution was a big win for the movement.

The Ann Arbor Marathon has received city approval to take place in October.

All Seasons Ann Arbor is located at 4600 All Seasons Circle.

ANN ARBOR, MI — Bob Hart said Memorial Day weekend was a picture-perfect opportunity to witness the majesty of the peony garden at the University of Michigan’s Nichols Arboretum. But when he arrived Sunday, the Ann Arbor resident said the public parking spaces on Washington Heights were taken, leaving dozens of drivers hustling to find spaces in nearby UM lots. Despite signs noting parking is enforced 24/7, he didn’t think it would be an issue on the holiday weekend. “While the peonies were still mostly tightly wrapped and playing coy with the crowds, the parking patrol was not. The city of Ann Arbor also does not enforce parking on Sundays and holidays, so downtown public parking facilities were free to park at both Sunday and Monday.

U-M's famed Peony Garden in Ann Arbor is beginning to bloom.

Happy Friday!

ANN ARBOR – The peonies at Nichols Arboretum have begun to show their beautiful blooms again - a sure sign that summer is near. At their peak in early June, nearly 800 plants and 10,000 flowers will dazzle visitors to the university’s garden, which hosts what the University of Michigan claims to be the largest collection of heirloom peonies in North America. Currently, the stars of the show are the tree peonies - hardy flowering shrubs that are as wide as they are tall and feature woody stems. Tree peonies, which line the edges of the garden around the central square plots, bloom two to three weeks earlier than their herbaceous counterparts. In recent years, the university’s Matthei Botanical Garden has also expanded their collection of tree peonies along Laurel Ridge, which overlooks the main garden.

ANN ARBOR, MI – The peony gardens at Nichols Arboretum is open to the public and getting ready to bloom. The garden will celebrate its 99th year from approximately Memorial Day through mid-June, depending on the weather. This year, the peony garden remains the focus of attention in Nichols Arboretum, as Shakespeare in the Arb has been canceled for the second straight year, officials said. “This was a very difficult decision,” said Tony Kolenic, new director of Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum. More information can be found on the peony garden’s website.

ANN ARBOR, MI – A root ball caused hundreds of gallons of frothy sewage to be discharged into the University of Michigan’s Nichols Arboretum Monday morning for the second time in more than a month. City of Ann Arbor Public Works staff responded May 10, to an open grassy area of the arboretum where it was discovered a root ball had caused a blockage of a sanitary sewer pipe, according to a notice from the city public works department. A root ball happens when tree roots grow into a sewer pipe and create a blockage. A similar sewage overflow occurred at the arboretum on April 1 when 500 gallons of sewage was spilled due to a root ball blockage. ‘Root ball’ causes 500-gallon sewage spill in Nichols Arboretum in Ann ArborThat affected area, located along the Huron River, was also covered with lime to neutralize any bacteria and cordoned off with tape and signs, officials said.

A “root ball” blocked a pipe causing an estimated 600 gallons of sanitary sewage to overflow in part of the Nichols Arboretum.

A natural areas and collections specialist at University of Michigan shares what residents should do to protect their trees from Brood X cicadas.

Spring has sprung!

Happy Friday!

Shakespeare in the Arb has been canceled. It would have been the theater's 21st season.

The peony garden at Nichols Arboretum will reopen to the public this year.

Submit your best spring photos through April 29.

ANN ARBOR, MI — Hundreds of gallons of sewage spilled into the University of Michigan’s Nichols Arboretum in Ann Arbor’s latest sewer overflow, the city reported Friday, April 2. A “root ball,” which happens when tree roots grow into a sewer pipe and create a blockage. In accordance with regulatory protocols, the city reported the sewage spill to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, officials said. The city has reported multiple sewage spills on Main Street recently related to a contractor doing sewer-lining work. MORE FROM THE ANN ARBOR NEWS:$2.5M pledge from anonymous donor is biggest-ever boost for Ann Arbor Treeline project200 energy efficiency kits to be distributed to homebound residents in Ann ArborWashtenaw County seeking feedback to improve Border-to-Border trailAnn Arbor police chief has message for Hash Bash visitors: ‘We’re in the middle of a pandemic’Women who sued Ann Arbor police for breaking down their door get $50K in settlement

No sewage reached any storm sewer or watercourse.

(Meredith Bruckner)ANN ARBOR – Are you a college student with a strong interest in farming, gardening and environmental education? Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum are now accepting applications for the 2021 internship season, which include various paid positions. Required qualifications include a university or college student with enthusiasm for teamwork, willingness to learn and a good work ethic. In-person internship work will take place in accordance with strict COVID safety protocols. As part of the University of Michigan we adhere to university policy and guidelines for all public and employment programs.

But what is normal for Doug Conley every year is planting tulips in anticipation of a spring bloom. “If you’ve ever watched a sneeze on a piece of paper or something, it’s very scattered,” said Conley, the garden coordinator. But the garden beds will look full and beautiful in the spring, Conley said. The bulbs will reorient themselves, though, and still grow through the soil to give the garden a more naturalistic feel, Conley said. Now, it’s a waiting game for spring to see how the tulips bloom.

To help beat the winter blues, families are encouraged to venture outdoors to play, spend time together and get some fresh air. “In Gaffield Children’s Garden, we provide rich, open-ended nature play experiences. We encourage families to participate and replicate what we do here, in their own homes, apartments, and parks.”One such activity is constructing a winter obstacle course. They posted this obstacle course over the weekend:Anything can be used to construct the obstacle course -- snow balls, sticks, stumps and rope, to name a few items. Make sure you associate a mission with the course: “Let’s hop over three snowballs, circle the stump two times and sprint to the tree.”To see the full guide on creating a fun winter obstacle course, click here.

ANN ARBOR, MI — The University of Michigan has announced that Anthony Kolenic will become director of the Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum on March 1. He succeeds Bob Grese, who was the director since 2004 and retired in June, the release states. Program Manager David Betz has been serving as interim director and will continue to do so until Kolenic’s appointment takes effect. READ MORE:A Waffle House in Ann Arbor? University of Michigan students are working on itMandatory weekly COVID-19 testing required for University of Michigan on-campus undergradsStudents flock to Ann Arbor apartments as University of Michigan dorms limited for winter semester

ANN ARBOR – The University of Michigan announced that Anthony J. Kolenic will return to Ann Arbor to become the director of the Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum. Kolenic will start his five-year appointment on March 1 and will oversee 40 staff and partners at U-M who maintain and support more than 840 acres at the Matthaei-Nichols properties. Program manager of Matthaei-Nichols, David Betz, has been serving as interim director since Grese retired and will continue until Kolenic’s start date. “MBGNA is vital to the university’s mission and serves as a catalyst for sustainability and inclusive community engagement and education,” Kolenic said in a statement. Prior to joining U-M, he taught from 2006 to 2012 at Michigan State University’s Center for the Integrative Studies of Arts and Humanities.

ANN ARBOR – University of Michigan’s Matthaei-Nichols botanical gardens and arboretum has launched a fun new campaign to encourage families to enjoy the outdoors this month. Its #everydayoutdoors campaign challenges families to complete a series of outdoor activities like rolling down hills, finding animal tracks and foraging for acorns. The only thing you need to do is get outside!”Every Day Outdoors challenge activities for December 2020. (University of Michigan Matthaei-Nichols)Share your photos with @matthaeinichols on Instagram with the hashtag #everydayoutdoors. Enjoy the winter fun!

ANN ARBOR Summer in Nichols Arboretum is defined by the beautiful peony garden, long hikes and performances of Shakespeare in the Arb. The unique live theater production has canceled its 2020 season that was set to run June 14 through July 8 due to the coronavirus pandemic. This year, the collaboration between Matthaei Botanical Gardens, Nichols Arboretum and University of Michigans Residential College was set to celebrate its 20th anniversary with an adaptation of A Midsummer Nights Dream.We hope to bring this special 20th anniversary celebration of Shakespeare in the Arb back in 2021, said organizers in on the events website. In the meantime, well be featuring special Shakespeare in the Arb content on our website and social media in June.Shakespeare in the Arb performances have no stage. Instead, actors guide the audience through the scenic 120-acre Nichols Arboretum, incorporating scenes of nature and vast panoramas into the play.

Run for your life in the annual 5K run/walk on Oct. 25 at the annual Zombie Run in Nichols Arboretum. The fright fest involves racing through the Arb's trails during a full-scale zombie attack. Shirts are not guaranteed after Oct. 7 and registration ends on Oct. 22. Designated " safe areas, " including the water station, will be located throughout the course. safe areas, including the water station, will be located throughout the course.

ANN ARBOR - With a nickname like "Tree Town," you know that Ann Arbor is going to have some super spectacular fall foliage. Specifically, the picturesque University of Michigan campus is a perfectly ideal spot for leaf-peeping once summer winds down and there's a crisp feeling in the air. Matthaei Botanical GardensFurther from downtown, visitors can find stunning maple groves during the autumn months at U-M Matthaei Botanical Gardens. Photo: PexelsLaw QuadWhile gorgeous anytime of year, the Law Quad is especially beautiful during the autumn months. Photo: PexelsNorth CampusOften overlooked by visitors, the North Campus area at the university is sprawling, walkable, and scenic - especially in the fall.

ANN ARBOR - Steps away from the Nichols Arboretum and the University of Michigan's campus, this five-bedroom home at 2023 Seneca Ave. has just gone up for sale. Built in 1924, the brick and stucco Tudor has been beautifully maintained and still has many of its original features, including hardwood floors, built-ins, and preserved trim and moldings. Newer features include a renovated kitchen with a colorful Motawi Tile backsplash and updated bathrooms. The third floor was renovated in 2001 and includes an extra bedroom, nanny's suite or office, a flex space and a full bathroom. Credit: Augie BonettCredit: Augie BonettCredit: Augie BonettCredit: Augie BonettCredit: Augie BonettCredit: Augie BonettCredit: Augie BonettCredit: Augie BonettCredit: Augie BonettCredit: Augie BonettCredit: Augie BonettCredit: Augie BonettAll About Ann Arbor is powered by ClickOnDetroit/WDIV.