It’s officially gator migration season here in Florida! As temperatures rise, alligators become more active and may be seen crossing trails, roads, or moving between bodies of water.
We love sharing our space with wildlife, and we hope you do too! In most cases, alligators are far more interested in getting away from you than approaching you, and they’ll probably run off faster from you than you can run from them. But they are wild animals, so please keep your distance, do not feed or approach them, and keep your pets away from them.
Thank you for helping us protect both our visitors and the wildlife that call the Arboretum home! 💚🐊
📸: @kyle.peterson.photography
Happy Mother’s Day from our team at JABG! Wishing all the amazing moms and mother figures out there a beautiful day spent with the people you love. We hope your Mother’s Day plans might even include a visit to the Arboretum! 💚
Friendly reminder — gopher tortoises are a protected species, and we’re lucky to share space with them! Please admire them from a distance and help keep them safe. This means no feeding, touching, or letting your pets interact with them. They play such an important role in our ecosystem, and respecting their space helps ensure they can continue to thrive here!
🐢 Fun fact: Gopher tortoises are considered a keystone species! Their burrows provide shelter for over 350 other species, including frogs, owls, insects, and even other reptiles!
Join Harmony Mushroom Co. on a guided “Fungi Frolic” through the Jacksonville Arboretum & Botanical Gardens!
Discover the fascinating world of fungi as you learn from an expert about the diverse species found in our area and the vital ecological roles they play. The event will begin in the picnic area with a short, engaging presentation, followed by a guided walk along our scenic trails.
Leading the experience is expert mycologist Shannon Sharpe, lead mycologist at Harmony Mushroom Co. Shannon holds a Master of Science in fungal ecology and evolutionary science and has been studying mycology for over 15 years. She has led numerous fungi walks, workshops, and seminars for local organizations over the past four years, including the Jacksonville Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, North Florida Land Trust, The Ribault Club, Overalls Farms, the University of North Florida, and Harmony Mushroom Co.
Whether you’re a curious beginner or a fungi enthusiast, this is a unique opportunity to explore, learn, and connect with nature in a whole new way.
We hope to see you there!�
🗓️: Saturday, May 23
⏰: 10 a.m.
🎟️: $10/JABG Member; $15/General Admission
🔗: /events/fungi-frolic
As the summer heats up, we’ve got a variety of shaded trails you can explore to stay out of the sun, and you can enjoy these benefits year-round by becoming a member! Starting at just $40/year, you’ll receive unlimited entry to the Arboretum, discounts and presale access to events, entry into the Reciprocal Access Program at 300+ gardens nationwide, and more! ☀️
To learn more, visit /membership.
📸: Martha Mazza
Thank you to everyone who came out for our A Walk Under the Trees DNN! We had a wonderful time exploring the forest and learning about different tree species with Larry Figart & Joe Anderson! 🌳
Final day to purchase your tickets before for A Walk Under the Trees this Saturday at 10 a.m.! Join arborists Larry Figart and Joe Anderson on a guided walk around our trails during our annual Arbor Day educational program as you learn about the history and significance of Arbor Day and the natural world around us.
Whether you’re a dedicated tree enthusiast or simply curious about the world outside your door, this Arbor Day experience promises to be both educational and inspiring. Come celebrate the beauty and importance of trees with us!
🗓️: Saturday, April 25
⏰: 10 a.m.
🎟️: $10/JABG Member; $15/General Admission
🔗: /events/a-walk-under-the-trees
Huge shoutout to this incredible volunteer group from IKEA for spending Earth Day with us yesterday! 🌿🌎 We’re so appreciative of their hard work and willingness to get their hands dirty to help care for our beautiful space. It truly makes a difference, and we couldn’t do it without support like this. Thank you for spending your day with us!
Happy Earth Day!! 🌎🦎🌼🌱
Today we celebrate the beauty of our planet and recommit to protecting it - one small action at a time. From preserving green spaces to caring for local ecosystems, every effort helps keep our Earth thriving for generations to come♻️
We’re proud to shine a spotlight on former Board President Ron Whittington! Ron served on the Board of Directors from December 2016 through September 2025, including his tenure as Board President from August 2018 to August 2020.
During his time in leadership, he played a key role in strengthening public relations and social media efforts, expanding educational programming, and helping elevate JABG’s visibility in the community. Ron was also instrumental in increasing accessibility at the Arboretum, initiating the paving of our popular Lake Loop trail to ensure more visitors can enjoy this special space.
Beyond his contributions to JABG, Ron has built an accomplished career as a writer and public relations professional. Most recently, hewas honored with a 2025 Royal Palms Award from the Florida Writers Association for thriller writing, recognizing his latest novel In Disguise of the Storm, part of his Parker Glynn series. This achievement highlights his talent for storytelling and his continued dedication to the craft.
Ron’s professional background spans journalism, public relations, and communications, with roles at organizations including CNN Radio, the Dallas Chamber of Commerce, JEA, and Visit Jacksonville. He has also founded and led multiple public relations firms and continues his work in the field today.
We are grateful for Ron’s years of leadership
and proud to celebrate this exciting milestone with him!
To learn more about Ron and his work, visit: /
Watch out for Ardisia (Christmas Berry) in your gardens! Thank you to one of our amazing volunteers, George, for leading teams to remove this invasive species over the past few weeks!
