As we reflect on the past year, we’re thrilled to share our highlights, showcasing our commitment to conservation and student and local community engagement. Each year we compile our major accomplishments to share with friends of the college in our annual report. Because we can only report on a small fraction of our work, please feel free to be in touch if you have any questions or would like more information about any of these projects.
One exciting development is the Mill Towns Bike Trail, currently under construction. This 25-mile-long trail will connect Northfield with Faribault to the south and Cannon Falls to the east, utilizing the historic Iron Bridge at the northern end of the Lower Arboretum. This bridge has been unused for the past ten years, and the trail will breathe new life into this Northfield landmark!
Our partnerships with the University of Minnesota (UMN) have flourished, particularly in projects studying Kentucky Coffee trees and continuing to host Master Naturalist courses. These initiatives deepen our connection to environmental stewardship and foster collaboration.
Students continue to play a vital role in our endeavors. Geology students, in particular, have been active in assessing lands for future restoration and conducting research on the Arboretum’s geology for senior projects.
We’re also excited to announce the formation of the Carleton Birders club, which offered weekly bird walks in the Arboretum during fall term. This initiative fosters a deeper appreciation for local biodiversity and strengthens our students bond with the Arboretum. As we look ahead, we remain committed to our mission of environmental stewardship and community involvement. We extend our sincere thanks to all our partners and supporters for their continued dedication.
Reports from this year and previous years are available if you want to catch up on all things Arboretum!
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