Our Work
Volunteer community, maintenance programs, and enhancement projects
The Foundation preserves and enhances the Washington Park Arboretum through a variety of dynamic programs and projects. We recruit and manage a vibrant volunteer community that supports every facet of Arboretum operations—from grounds maintenance to fundraising events. We help fund the salaries of UW Botanic Gardens arborists, gardeners, and environmental educators working in the Arboretum. We fund revitalization projects, such as the restoration of historic Rhododendron Glen, and the creation of new horticultural displays, such as the Pacific Connections Garden. We are also the support organization for the Seattle Japanese Garden in the Arboretum.
Become a volunteer and enjoy everything the Arboretum community offers. Meet great people and like-minded spirits.
Caring for the Arboretum’s plant collection, and ensuring the health and safety of the trees, is a major expense and our biggest pride and joy.
We are funding the restoration of Rhododendron Glen, Lake Washington Boulevard, and other beloved spaces in the Arboretum.
We’re helping children and adults learn about the vital role plants, forests, and wetlands play in the urban environment.
We are the support partner for the Japanese Garden at the Arboretum, managing public programs and volunteers, and raising vital funds.
We fund and support Master Plan improvement projects, including the Pacific Connections Garden and the Arboretum Loop Trail.
News Articles
Remembering Volunteer Extraordinaire Elizabeth Moses
Elizabeth and husband Allen feted at the 2017 Opening Night Party.The Arboretum Foundation would like to acknowledge the passing of one of its most beloved and dedicated volunteers, Elizabeth Moses. She died in late December, 2022, at the age of 91. Elizabeth’s record...
Parallel Artforms: Garden Design and Photo Composition
Winter is an ideal time to take stock of your garden and consider whether to tweak or rework your design. In the latest issue of the Arboretum Bulletin, landscape architect and Foundation staffer Jason Morse simplifies the garden design process by comparing its...
Arboretum Master Plan Turns 21
Approved by the City of Seattle in 2001, the Arboretum's comprehensive Master Plan has come of age! Over the past two decades, the plan has propelled the completion of many projects, renovations, and accessibility improvements, such as Arboretum Loop Trail pictured...