Tours

Tour the Arboretum

Self-guided tours are available at your convenience Wednesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Take a leisurely stroll where you can learn about our native flora and fauna by reading the trail signs. Please call 601-799-2311  if you plan to bring a large group for a self-guided tour.

Staff-guided tours are also available by reservation Wednesday through Friday between the hours of 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Saturday tour dates are occasionally available. Please inquire.  Please reserve your guided tour at least 2 weeks prior to your visit. Reservations are taken on a first come basis and are booked only by telephone. A maximum of 75 people and a minimum of 10 are required. If you need to cancel or reschedule a guided tour, please give us as much notice as possible.

School Groups

HABITAT HIKES for the 2025-2026 School Year

Half-Day Adventures for Grades k-6

Immerse your students in nature in one of our highly engaging programs this school year. Students will be guided into 60 to 75 minutes of hands-on learning opportunities by our talented staff and experienced educators. After the lesson, the remaining time can be spent on your own or bring a picnic lunch to enjoy with your students in one of our sheltered locations. Our NGSS aligned programs will help students master the MAAPs while exposing them to the awe and wonder of the great outdoors in our 64-acre living classroom. Please see themes and grade level recommendations below.

Class Size: Minimum 15 students/ Maximum 40 students

Tour Times: Wednesday - Friday 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. OR 11:30 – 1:30 p.m.

Fee: $5 per student and chaperones. FREE for teachers.

Please note, we require a minimum of 1 adult chaperone for every 10 students.

Themes

Habitat Means Home (Grades K-6)

Do you have what it takes to survive in the wild? Join us as we learn how living things are perfectly suited to thrive in their unique environments! Children will explore three habitats: a woodland, a savanna, and an aquatic habitat. They will learn about the features of each and the adaptations organisms have, which help them to survive in each of these places. This lesson includes investigation of aquatic macroinvertebrates. Older learners will gain knowledge about water quality as they learn to use these organisms as bioindicators.

Righteous ROT and Insect Investigation (Grades 1-3)

Learn all about Nature’s recycling process as we highlight the role of decomposers in the environment. Children will dissect a fallen log for an up-close encounter with some of our creepy crawly friends and learn about their important jobs. On our journey to the Children’s Garden, we will look for more signs of decomposers and get an introduction to the flow of energy in the ecosystem, all right here in our living classroom at The Crosby Arboretum.

Crosby Eco-Explorers (Grades 4-6)

Can you ID a tree? Tap into your creative side and make your very own nature field journal. Next, we will go on a hike and learn how to identify and describe some native trees. Think like a detective and learn a real scientific skill as we teach you how to use a dichotomous key. Finally, we will investigate the interdependent relationships that make up a healthy forest ecosystem and discuss how trees can improve our health and the health of the planet.

Pollination Exploration (Grades K-6)

This seasonal offering will focus on native plants and wildflowers and the special relationships they have with their pollinator pals. Learn the parts of a flower, play some games, and taste a variety of honey. Older grades will have an opportunity to dissect a flower!

Call 601-799-2311 or email kathryn.jeffers@msstate.edu today to secure your field trip date.

 We can’t wait to give your students the best day ever this school year!

Universities and Community Colleges

General Public (garden clubs, community organizations, etc.)

**All Arboretum and AHS reciprocal garden members within these group categories enter free!**