Wellesley College Botanic Gardens serves the campus and public community as an educational garden, with thousands of diverse plant species across 22 acres of outdoor gardens, greenhouses, and a visitor center, within the College campus. From the award-winning Global Flora conservatory, which champions sustainable design, to the innovative Edible Ecosystem teaching garden, an experimental food forest, students and visitors of all ages can find inspiring ways to connect with plants and the environment. We welcome all visitors, with free admission and guided tours.

Wellesley College Botanic Gardens

The Meandering Meadow is currently transitioning to a warm season meadow. It has historically been maintained by mowing, however we are taking a new approach: grazing by sheep. The goal of the project is to diversify the meadow, showcase native New England species, improve habitat for pollinators and wildlife, and enhance the beauty of the area.

Meandering Meadow

Ephemeral Pool is undergoing a restoration to create a natural vernal pool habitat. As of 2025, a cement liner covers the basin of the depression and is also partially buried underneath a path. The project will entail removing the concrete liner so that seasonal flooding is no longer inhibited, as well as expanding the area of the wetland. Grading will introduce some topography and basking areas for wildlife. Many of the plants that are currently here will be moved out and reintroduced after construction, and a seeding and planting program will re-establish native wetland vegetation. A bird blind, a small structure where people can sit to watch birds without the birds seeing them, will be added next to the vernal pool.

Wellesley College Botanic Gardens

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