All-Ages Insect Safari

Explore the insects and other tiny creatures that crawl, fly, and slither through the Arboretum. Families can use sweep nets and bug boxes to collect specimens, examine their finds with digital microscopes, and ask entomologists for help identifying what they discover. This is an active, hands-on program for all ages, and families may drop in at any point during the two-hour session.

Location and accessibility

The activity area is in the Conifer Collection, just beyond the footbridge from Hemlock Hill Road. Signs will guide visitors from the Flora Way Gate. The program begins at an intersection of dirt paths across a small wooden bridge, and the terrain includes a moderate slope.

The nearest street parking is on Flora Way, approximately a five-minute walk from the activity area. Visitors arriving from Forest Hills can enter through Washington Street Gate and follow the Arboretum paths toward South Street Gate and the bridge; Routes 35 and 38 also stop near the Centre Street Gate.

Weather plan

The scheduled rain date is August 16. Registered participants will receive an email at least one day ahead when possible, or a phone notification for a later weather decision. The Visitor Center can provide same-day program-status information between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.