The Gifford Arboretum is run by the Department of Biology and the Friends of the Gifford Arboretum Committee which consists of faculty, students, administrators, and community members.  Annual events include a spring lecture by a distinguished plant scientist and a fall picnic.  For additional information, please call (305) 284-5364.  A complete checklist of the plants of the Gifford Arboretum is available for $8 in the Department of Biology Office, located on the second floor of the Cox Science Center (8:30-5:00 M-F).  Please use metered parking during the school week, or visitor permits may be obtained for $4 at the entrance to Memorial Drive.  Parking is unrestricted after 4 p.m. weekdays and anytime Saturday and Sunday.

A Brief History of the Arboretum

The Arboretum was planted in 1947 by Dr.Frank J. Rimoldi and Dr. Roy Woodbury, professors of tropical botany at the University of Miami.  Over 350 plants were donated from local, state, and federal nurseries.  In 1949, the Arboretum was named for Dr.John C. Gifford, the first graduate forester in the United States, an expert on tropical woods and professor of tropical forestry at the University of Miami.  In 1950, the Gifford Society of Tropical Botany was formed to promote the study of tropical plants and the Arboretum grew to more than 500 plants.

During the following decades, many students, professors, and community members used the Arboretum for teaching, research, and recreation. However, in the late 1980’s, the need for additional campus parking threatened the existence of the Gifford Arboretum.  Through the efforts of Coral Gables tree activist, Kathy Gaubatz, the University of Miami gave full support in 1992 to the renovation and enhancement of the Gifford Arboretum.  Since then, the Arboretum survived Hurricane Andrew and has undergone considerable physical improvements with new plantings, irrigation, trails, signs, and maintenance.