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Transportation Grant for Field Trips

Due to the serious effects of financial cutbacks to school districts, The Los Angeles Arboretum & Botanic Garden, Bank of America and Wells Fargo are happy to be able to award a grant to schools to help pay for transportation to The Arboretum.  Third and fourth grade teachers from a Title I school in the Los Angeles area are eligible to apply. Please contact Ted Tegart at 626.821.5897 ted.tegart@arboretum.org with any additional questions.

Docent-led Field Trips

The Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden's field trips are led by highly trained docents that understand a child’s curiosity, as well as the wonder and excitement of learning. The Arboretum is a living classroom and our fieldtrips are designed to enhance the learning experience by immersing students in science and history.

  • There is no charge for school groups.
  • Docent led field trips are available October-May, for grades 3- 6.
  • Tours begin promptly at 9:30 and last approximately 2 hours.

The Arboretum is currently in the process of creating a series of field trip programs that meet grade appropriate California Science and History Standards on a variety of topics. The first of these, Exploring Plant Adaptations- Examining the Relationship between Plants and their Environments will be available after September 1, 2009.

Exploring Plant Adaptations- Examining the Relationship between Plants and their Environments.

This field trip is aligned to 3rd grade life science standards. Students will examine the various adaptations that allow plants to survive in climates ranging from very wet to very dry, as well as how plants protect themselves from being eaten! This field trip includes a pre-field trip lesson, an inquiry based activity while at The Arboretum, and post field trip extension activities.

Plants in Our World.

This general science tour encompasses plant structures, adaptations, life cycles, and reproduction as well as exploring the interrelationships between people and plants. The Arboretum’s vast plant collections expose children to the diversity of green life around the world. Tuesday & Thursday only.

Early California History.

History comes alive as children learn about the lives of native Tongva/Gabrielinos, visit replica kiys, and understand how these Native Americans used the land for food, clothing and shelter. Students will also journey through the Mission, Rancho, and American periods as they visit a historic 1840 adobe house and other Arboretum Historical Landmarks: the Queen Anne Cottage, the Coach Barn and the Santa Anita Railroad Depot, all from the 1880s. Students will also learn about E.J. "Lucky" Baldwin, an early California pioneer, who not only once owned, but shaped the development of much of the San Gabriel Valley. Wednesday & Friday only.

So that The Arboretum is better able to meet any special needs that your school group may require, please indicate this at the time you make your reservation. Reservations and a signed confirmation form (sent to you following registration) are required. To make a reservation, please call 626.821.3212

Self-guided Tours

Self-guided tours of The Arboretum present a wonderful opportunity to enhance your classroom curriculum. With their teacher as a guide, students can explore science, history, art, or just spend a day discovering nature.

  • Self-guided tours are permitted Monday through Friday for grades preK-12.
  • There is no charge for school groups.
  • The Arboretum opens for tours at 9:00 am.
  • Although no reservations are required for self guided tours, they are encouraged so that we can be prepared to welcome and accommodate your program.

For additional information, please call 626.821.3212

Additional Materials

Review the following materials to help prepare for your field trip: