Our Mission
The Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University discovers and disseminates knowledge of the plant kingdom to foster greater understanding, appreciation, and stewardship of the Earth’s botanical diversity and its essential value to humankind.
This is accomplished through three areas of activity:
Research
The Arnold Arboretum promotes research by its scientific staff and other scientists to increase our knowledge of the biology and evolutionary history of plants. This research includes traditional areas of focus such as collections-based studies of the evolution and biogeography of the woody flora of temperate Asia and North America, the phylogenetic systematics of Asian plant families using molecular and morphological characters, and tropical forest ecology with a strong focus on tropical Asia. Arboretum research has expanded in recent times to include genomic approaches to the physiology and development of plants: the evolution of physiological control systems, water and nutrient physiology, and the development of trophic and reproductive systems. Publication in refereed journals and successful participation in peer-review grants and projects affirms the value of the Arboretum’s research in these fields.
Horticulture
The Arboretum is committed to attaining a leadership role in the management and presentation of botanical collections and landscapes. The institution supports this goal by actively building the horticultural expertise and competence of its staff, by conducting relevant applied studies in plant propagation, plant introduction, landscape management and related fields, and through education and publication. Horticulture at the Arnold Arboretum utilizes the best available information, technologies and practices to provide exemplary stewardship for the living collections and the Olmsted/Sargent historic landscape. Horticulture staff develops and curates the living collections to enhance their scientific value and to encourage their use for research. Arboretum staff members also regularly conduct projects to monitor the condition of the collections and improve the quality of their care.
Education
Education programs are based on the unique resources of the Arnold Arboretum. They utilize the living collections and the cultural landscape, as well as the information resources and expertise of the staff to educate in the life sciences, plant biology, horticulture, and related disciplines. As part of its commitment to the effective stewardship of plants and natural systems in the human environment, the Arboretum offers professional instruction and supports research in landscape design, landscape management, and cultural landscape preservation. In addition to serving university, continuing education and professional students, the Arboretum actively seeks to realize the opportunities inherent in its urban context by providing educational experiences for visitors, school children and the surrounding community.
In addition to these primary activities that fulfill our mission, the Arboretum maintains library, archival, herbarium and web resources to provide information, materials and support for Arboretum scientists and visiting researchers, as well as students and the interested public. These resources hold significant value as historical and/or biological records, and are managed and conserved utilizing the best available preservation practices. Information technology is critical both to the management of these resources and to the services that facilitate and promote their active use.