Carleton College Cowling Arboretum

05/29/2026

The Arb is an important part of the Carleton experience, and it means different things to different people. Whether you've actually been out in the Arb or not, you likely have your own set of knowledge about it (as a place of fun, conservation, for exercise, etc.). As the school year draws to a close, we challenge you to go on a small adventure, and get to know the Arb from a new perspective! Read more below.

Student Naturalist Note by Klara Kjome Fischer '26, for the Cole Student Naturalists.

The Arb is an important part of the Carleton experience, and it means different things to different people. Morning runners, classes, late-night walkers, weekend visitors, and Arb caretakers traverse its…

05/22/2026

Lush is the first word that comes to mind when one thinks of the Arb in May. Flowers are blooming, grasses have grown tall, and the trees are explosions of green leaves. Not to mention, baby animals proliferate. Enjoy some pictures of spring creatures below!

Photos by Leo Jordan '24 and Joanne Bouknight.

05/22/2026

Have you ever wondered why Spring Creek is called Spring Creek? Flowing northwest through campus, Spring Creek has been a staple of campus for its entire existence. If you’ve ever dipped a toe in, you may have noticed that it can be fairly cold, even in the height of summer. This is because much of the water in Spring Creek comes from springs of the Jordan sandstone!

Read more below!

Student Naturalist Note by Nico Bolling ’27, for the Cole Student Naturalists

Have you ever wondered why Spring Creek is called Spring Creek? Flowing northwest through campus, Spring Creek has been a staple of campus for its entire existence. If you’ve ever…

05/20/2026

It’s mating season! In the spring, male frogs and toads begin to search for mates. They call repeatedly, often throughout the day, though particularly at dusk, attempting to attract females. The Arboretum is home to multiple frog and toad species-- read more about them below!

Dexter Pakula '26, for the Cole Student Naturalists

It’s mating season! In the spring, male frogs and toads begin to search for mates. They call repeatedly, often throughout the day, though particularly at dusk, attempting to attract females.…

05/13/2026

One of our Student Naturalists, Gabriel Fisher-Navarro '27, has installed repositories for discarded fishing materials. Read below to find out more about the project from Gabriel:

"The Carleton Arb is an excellent place to fish, and as a result experiences an unfortunate buildup of discarded fishing lines, hooks, and lead sinkers. These abandoned items can pose a significant threat to the animals who depend on clean, safe river banks for survival, as well as harm people who wish to spend time near the Cannon River or Lyman Lakes. Fishing line is especially dangerous because it is hard for animals to see and incredibly strong. Abandoned fishing lines can last for many, many years in the environment without decomposing. Our project offers easily accessible places for fishermen to discard unwanted line, which will hopefully reduce the amount of the harmful pollutant found in the arb and the negative effect of fishing line on the arb's fauna."

Photos by Gabriel Fisher-Navarro '27 and Zoe Tomlin '27

05/08/2026

If you branch off the paved path at Postage Stamp Prairie in the Upper Arb, you may find a single-track trail with fantastic views of early spring wildflowers. If you have a chance, look out for these wildflower species: Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis), White Trout Lily (Erythronium albidum), Canadian Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense), and Wood anemone (Anemone quinquefolia).

Read more below!

Student Naturalist note by Max Posner '26 for the Cole Student Naturalists

If you branch off the paved path at Postage Stamp Prairie in the Upper Arb, you may find a single-track trail with fantastic views of early spring wildflowers. The trail…

05/01/2026

"As I walked onwards, a sudden rustling in the bushes to my right startled me out of my trance. A white-tailed deer walked down from the bank, scarcely fifteen feet in front of me. It waded out into the middle of the stream and drank, perfectly illuminated by the moon and the distant lights of Carleton buildings."

Read more below!

Student Naturalist Note by Gabriel Fisher-Navarro ’28 for the Cole Student Naturalists.

Tuesday night, I decided to wade up the middle of Spring Creek and follow it through the upper Arb from its mouth at Upper Lyman Lake to see what I…

05/01/2026

The Arboretum is hiring student summer restoration technicians for THIS SUMMER! Apply now or find out more on the Arb website! A beautiful summer outdoors awaits you...

Website navigation directions:
Carleton.edu/arboretum/ > Student Information > Student Employment > apply today!

04/28/2026

Happy spring! What ducks have you seen around campus, Carls? Curious about these waterfowl? Check out last week's Student Naturalist Note about spring migration and the Mississippi Flyway.

Illustration by Caroline Cooper '26.

04/24/2026

As spring migration season ramps up, you may have noticed a number of ducks of unusual shape and size on Lyman Lakes recently. These birds are following the Mississippi Flyway, a major migration route spanning from the Gulf of Mexico to Canada, that provides critical habitat for both stopovers and breeding to hundreds of migratory bird species, and especially waterfowl.

Read more below!

Student Naturalist Note by Stephanie Holmes ‘28, for the Cole Student Naturalists.

As spring migration season ramps up, you may have noticed a number of ducks of unusual shape and size on Lyman Lakes recently. With temperatures warming and their preferred pond…