Our Changing Climate
Mitigating and Adapting to Climate Change
In the fall 2015, 2016, and 2018 issues of the Arboretum Bulletin, editor Niall Dunne wrote a three-part series entitled “Our Changing Climate,” focusing on the implications of the climate crisis for plants and gardens in the Pacific Northwest.
Predicted changes for our region include hotter, drier summers; warmer, wetter winters; more frequent and intense wildfires; and new pest and disease problems. The severity of these changes will vary depending on how much we curb future emissions of greenhouse gases.
Part 1: Reducing Your Garden’s Climate Footprint
Part 2: Adapting Your Garden to the Coming Conditions
Part 3: Implications for Native Plant Communities in the Pacific Northwest
Related Links
Desert Garden at the Anderson School, by Phil Wood (summer 2019)
Evolution of a Summer-Dry Garden, by Phil Wood (summer 2017)
Trees and Shrubs for a Warmer Seattle, by Christina Pfeiffer (fall 2016)

Shelagh Tucker’s summer-dry garden, Seattle (Photo: Phil Wood).

Woodland Meadow Project: Public Meeting Dec 7
The current Crabapple Meadow is usable in summer but waterlogged for much of the year.The Woodland Meadow Project reimagines the current Crabapple Meadow (site of the Arboretum's original field nursery) as a year-round gathering and celebration space. While the...

Jim Olsen: Our Volunteer of the Year!
Jim Olsen receiving his award the greenhouse's monthly potluck on Halloween.Congratulations to Jim Olsen, winner of our 2023 Volunteer of the Year Award! Our volunteer programs manager, Lily King, presented the award to Jim at the Pat Calvert Greenhouse’s monthly pot...

Public Meeting for Japanese Garden Master Plan Project: November 16
In partnership with Seattle Parks and Recreation, the Arboretum Foundation is developing a plan to reconstruct the stone wall at the north end of the Seattle Japanese Garden pond, modify the pathways in this area to improve accessibility, and add a new garden...