The Wilbur D. May Arboretum’s plans could place it in the top ranks of the world’s parks.
At only 23 acres, the Wilbur D. May Arboretum and Botanical Garden in Reno is relatively small. However, after a planned expansion, it could be included among the world’s top arboreta.
The arboretum is located inside the Rancho San Rafael Regional Park complex. It is part of the May Center, which also includes the May Museum. The arboretum includes several miles of walking paths, xeriscape gardens, wetlands fed by Evans Creek, shade gardens, water features, a wildlife pond, and several groves of trees. The arboretum’s Ranch House is popular for weddings, and the annual Dragon Lights Reno event on the property is attended by thousands of visitors.
The May Arboretum Society, a nonprofit established to advocate for and invest in the arboretum, celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2024. The society is not affiliated with Washoe County, which owns and manages the arboretum, and its funds are maintained in an endowment specifically to benefit the arboretum.
But even with its diverse system of plants, trees, and educational services right in the middle of the city, the arboretum is overlooked by many Reno residents.
“If you ask somebody if they have been to the arboretum, they will answer, ‘Oh, I didn’t even know we had an arboretum,’” says Frances Munoz, executive director of the May Arboretum Society. “They think it’s just part of Rancho San Rafael Park, mostly because it has never been introduced to our community for the asset that it is. It’s a real gem and an enhancement that most communities do not have.”
The World of Arboreta
According to ArbNet, the international community of arboreta and tree-focused professionals, an arboretum is a botanical garden specializing in trees or woody plants. Arboreta around the world also are areas for public outreach and education, scientific research and conservation, and the management of diverse tree and plant collections.
The May Arboretum currently qualifies as a level II-accredited arboretum by the Morton registry of arboretums. Level II arboreta have at least 100 species of woody plants, employed paid staff, enhanced public education programs, and a documented collections policy. Of the 751 accredited arboreta in the world, only 232 of them are level II.
The May Arboretum’s future plans include the development of a portion of 10 acres of the arboretum into a cactus and succulent garden. With additional funding, the arboretum’s staff can hire a curator and fulfill the criteria as a level III-accredited arboretum. Other level III arboreta include Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, the Arboretum de Paris, and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.
“I think there are only 49 level III-accredited arboreta in the world,” Munoz says. “So, if you think about it, Reno could become number 50. That’s pretty special, and our community should be proud to have such an amazing honor.”
Arboretum Membership
While on the quest for level III accreditation, the arboretum’s managers continue to serve the public and seek money for its endowment. Signature events such as the annual plant sale and classes, including the Birds in the Garden monthly walks, fill up quickly. Becoming a member or partner of the arboretum grants members access to more than 300 public gardens and arboreta across the country through a reciprocal value program available to members.
Munoz says the board of directors’ goal is to raise the May Arboretum Society Endowment Fund to $20 million. With that amount, the arboretum could sustain operations and employee salaries.
“Where this is important is when you have severe changes to the Reno economy,” Munoz says, “such as the 2008 economic downturn, which required employee cutbacks and limited funding to parks. It would ensure that the arboretum would have the funding to continually maintain the standards of accreditation and to make sure the community is able to enjoy the facility in its glory.”
Thanks to sponsors and donors, this spring, the arboretum’s Kleiner Oak Grove will light up with more than 11,500 daffodils during the American Daffodil Society’s annual convention in Reno April 10 – 13. More flower celebrations will be held during the Gala in the Garden inaugural fundraiser on June 21.
“It’s going to be themed ‘tuxedos and tennis shoes,’” Munoz says. “We are going to honor the legacy of Edgar F. Kleiner, the founding director of the arboretum. He is 96 years old and as quick as a whip.”
For details about the Wilbur D. May Arboretum, visit Mayarboretumsociety.org.
