Morton Cooperative College Botany Program
The Morton Arboretum is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to the planting and conservation of trees, with 1,700 acres of managed tree and shrub collections, gardens, and natural areas to explore. We welcome college and university students and professionals interested in learning with the Arboretum. Learn more about the Arboretum on our website: mortonarb.org.
Associated Colleges of the Chicago Area Courses
Since 1983, The Morton Arboretum has partnered with the Associated Colleges of the Chicago Area (ACCA) to offer cooperative college classes in botany and environmental science. Currently, we offer two classes a year: Woody Plants of the Great Lakes Region each fall semester and Forest Ecology in a Changing World during the spring semester. Our course offerings for the current year are:
Fall 2026
Woody Plants of the Great Lakes Region
Explore the ecology of trees, shrubs, and other woody plants found in the western Great Lakes region in this class for undergraduate learners.
Dates: September 12 – November 23, 2026
In-person lab and field work: Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Online sessions: Mondays, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Field trips: In addition to regular meetings at the Arboretum, a daylong Saturday trip is planned to natural areas rich in woody plants. Students are expected to provide their own transportation to and defray their own expenses for in-person sessions.
The first in-person class meets at The Morton Arboretum’s Thornhill Education Center, Parking Lot 21, West Side.
Credit: Four credits
More information and registration
Spring 2027
Forest Ecology in a Changing World
Explore conservation and global change through the study of forests.
Trees and forests in urban areas and in the wild provide essential benefits to people and the environment but face increasing challenges that put them at risk. The course will take place in person and online, and will explore forest ecology through three units that include field exploration, classroom instruction, discussions, and presentations:
- How ecological principles operate in forests at individual, population, community, and ecosystem scales.
- Current environmental issues impacting forests such as the biodiversity crisis, global climate and environmental change, and more.
- Current methods in forest ecology
Participants will gain a rich understanding of the biodiversity, ecological importance, and conservation practices for forests, and explore forest ecology in practice at the Arboretum and at other local sites.
Dates: February 6 – April 24, 2027
In-person lab and field work: select Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Online sessions: Mondays, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
The first in-person class meets at The Morton Arboretum’s Thornhill Education Center, Parking Lot 21, West Side. Students are expected to provide their own transportation to and defray their own expenses for in-person sessions.
Credit: Four credits
Registration opens October 2026. More information and registration
Field Trips to the Arboretum
Interested in field study or career exploration on the grounds of the Arboretum? The Arboretum welcomes college and university learners interested in visiting the Arboretum as a self-guided group. Learn more or click here to request a visit.
Research Experiences and Career Opportunities
The Arboretum is home to many career opportunities for the ACCA community.
The Integrated Mentorship Program at the Center for Tree Science supports students and professionals at every stage in their career. Students in high school and beyond can participate in a limited number of Center for Tree Science Fellowships. Professionals can also collaborate with the Center for Tree Science in advancing the Center’s mission and vision and to discover their own path to success through project-based activities. Learn more about the Integrated Mentorship Program.
The Arboretum has many seasonal and year round employment and volunteer
Contact: Megan Dunning
mdunning@mortonarb.org
630-725-2101