Van der Brohe Arboretum

05/31/2026

Kick off your summer with a membership to the Green Guardians Society. Members keep the grounds and trails beautiful and free for all to enjoy. By becoming a member, you are showcasing your commitment to ...

🌻Environmental conservation

🦌 Wildlife preservation

📗Education

👒 Artistic Appreciation

Memberships are a vital piece of our annual operating budget, and allow us to maintain the gardens in a beautiful state all summer long.

Learn more and sign up here: https://givebutter.com/vdbamember

05/30/2026

Struggling to get things to grow in your garden? Generally looking for a better understanding of your yard’s health? Our workshop might just be the ticket!

JOIN US at 6 p.m. June 11 for the Science of Healthy Soils by Allen Pyle, Horticulture Outreach Specialist of UW-Madison Extension. The program will help participants understand the physical, chemical, and biological factors that affect soil quality and health and how to improve soil quality in your garden and landscape.

Workshop fee of $7 helps the Arboretum continue to plan and coordinate this and other wonderful community events!

Register today: https://givebutter.com/scienceofsoils

05/28/2026

Brian Henrickson, VDBA Board Secretary, oversees our Nest Box Program with students from the Two Rivers High School. He recently published this wonderful recap article now available on our blog. Below are some highlights from the season!

2026 Spring occupancy of the 24 onsite Nest Boxes:
🪺Eastern Bluebirds have occupied 5 nest boxes (21%)
🥚Tree Swallows have occupied 6 nest boxes (25%)
🪶House Wrens have occupied 7 nest boxes (29%)
🪺Black-capped Chickadee have occupied 1 nestbox (0.04%)
🥚House Sparrows have occupied 1 nestbox (0.04%)
🪶Only 2 nest boxes are still empty (8%)

🌟🌟 Results show 22/24 (92%) nests were occupied by cavity nesters!

Read the blog ➡️ https://vdbarboretum.org/feathered-lives-at-the-arboretum/

05/21/2026

05/18/2026

Lost one of the big willows and a few other trees thanks to last night's storm. Hoping its not too bad for others out there!🤞

05/15/2026

One of our main focuses this season will be adding signage to the property for educational and navigational purposes. The first proof of progress is now on the grounds! Thanks so much to the wonderful volunteers who are involded in making this happen. We're working on inventory of all 9 Franciscan gardens so that soon each of them will have similar info.

Learn more about the Franciscan Gardens here: https://vdbarboretum.org/grounds/structured-plantings/franciscan-gardens/

05/13/2026

We have been working with the Two Rivers High School on a number of projects, and are excited to share the progress on this one!

Here's a series of photos from idea to real product. This is a memorial bench sponsored by Steve's wife, Sue. We are prepping its location on the grounds and it will be available soon for use when you need to rest and relax with a view!

If you are interested in a memorial sponsorship, reach out to Executive Director Lyssa Schmidt at [email protected].

If you want to make a donation of any size, you can always do so online here: https://vdbarboretum.org/support/

05/07/2026

Progress continues at our Propagation Center, and I am so excited to share we officially have an office!

A little blank ... still needs a some decor and wall art perhaps ... and still waiting on the office chair to arrive ... but overall, what a beautiful space!

Today was busy with volunteers and other team members popping in and out on the grounds. Spring has sprung! We can't wait for the 2026 season. 🌻🐝🌳🌿

05/06/2026

*This Friday, May 8 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.*
Photo Opp will host a walk around the Van der Brohe Arboretum to capture the new life that spring brings to the grounds. This event is great for amateur through professional photographers, with opportunities to collaboratively learn and share photography skills and ideas during our walk.

Attendees will have the opportunity to submit their favorite photos to a gallery for voting. Top photos will be collected into an annual calendar published at the end of 2026.

We will meet at the Propagation Center at the Van der Brohe Arboretum. From the main parking lot off Highway 42, walk the trail north about 3 to 5 minutes to the building. An optional social gathering at Cool City Brewing after the walk offers ongoing opportunity for networking and fun.

This event will be a series! Come to one, or come to all!

Future dates include:

- 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 29
- 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26 * To include a visit from Kyle, a red-tailed hawk, with licensed Falconer Brandi Gahl.

Photo Opp is an Appleton-based nonprofit organization rooted in the belief that visual storytelling - through photography and video - has the power to connect people, spark creativity, and leave a lasting impact.

This is a FREE event, however RSVPs help us to plan.
RSVP here: https://givebutter.com/vdbaphotowalk

05/01/2026

Happy May! It's so nice to see the outside world springing to life 🌾🌷🪻 Speaking of, the magnolias along our trails have started to bloom. Head out this weekend and see if you can find them! They are just beautiful.