Evanston, Illinois
Ladd Arboretum and Ecology Center
The Edward R. Ladd Arboretum is a three-quarter mile strip along 23 acres of reclaimed land between McCormick Blvd and the North Shore Channel. Self-guided tours take visitors through the Aspegren Meadow; Oak Grove; Maple Knoll; Pine Knoll; legume trees; birches; and nut trees.
The arboretum’s collection is arranged by plant family (birch, legume, maple, oak, and pine). Gardens include the Meadow Garden, Prairie Restoration Area, Cherry Tree Walk, Nut Tree, Rotary International Friendship Garden (with All-America Rose Selections), Women’s Terrace, gazebo, and bird sanctuary.
The Evanston Ecology Center, located inside Ladd Arboretum, hosts a number of programs, including its popular ecology summer camps.
What’s Special?
The Ecology Center is home to a variety of “critters” — A rabbit, a hedgehog, gerbils, corn snakes, tortoise box turtles, a map turtle, a snapping turtle, a sand skink, leopard frogs, hermit crabs, fish, and Madagascar hissing cockroaches. The Center is always looking for volunteers to join the Critter Crew – either to sponsor an animal or volunteer to come in and help care for the creatures. For more information, call the Ecology Center at 847 448-8256
Visiting
Evanston Ecology Center:
2024 McCormick Blvd, Evanston 60201
Phone: (847) 448-8256
Email: ecologycenter@cityofevanston.org
Hours: Mon – Fri, 8:30am – 5:00pm year round
Sat, 9 a..m – 4:00 p.m. – from after Labor Day through Memorial Day