Wildflower Festival

Tucked in the southern Willamette Valley on the coast fork of the Willamette River, Mt. Pisgah Arboretum is a 209-acre living classroom where forest, field, and river meet. Since its founding in 1969, this nonprofit nature education facility has been a cornerstone of community connection to the natural world. With miles of trails, habitat restoration projects, and year-round events, the Arboretum brings people of all ages into a deeper relationship with the land. 

But this land’s story reaches far beyond 1969. 

For time immemorial, Mt. Pisgah and the surrounding Willamette Valley have been stewarded by the Kalapuya Ilihi people, whose relationship with this place is ongoing. Their sophisticated land care practices, including controlled burning, seasonal harvesting, and deep ecological knowledge, have shaped the landscape we now call the Arboretum. Today, these practices are increasingly recognized as essential to the health of this ecosystem. Honoring and learning from Indigenous stewardship is not only a responsibility but also a path forward for how we all care for this beautiful place. 

What makes Mt. Pisgah Arboretum truly special is its flexibility; anyone can wander in for a spontaneous nature walk, but there's also a whole world of guided tours, art installations, science workshops, and joyful festivals for those who want to dig deeper. Programs are held on-site and include everything from bird walks to mushroom hunts to family play days. And it’s all made possible through the support of members, donors, and volunteers who believe in nature access for all. 

Rooted in the rich ecology and cultural history of Eugene, Oregon, this space can only exist here, and we’re lucky to be part of its story.

Once a year, the Arboretum bursts into a riot of color and community spirit. The Mt. Pisgah Wildflower & Music Festival brings together plant-lovers, artists, scientists, musicians, and curious wanderers for a full day of hands-on nature connection. 

Here’s just a glimpse of what’s blooming at the festival: 

Expansive Wildflower Display: Over 200 species of local wildflowers bloom in the White Oak Pavilion thanks to the hard work of naturalists and iNaturalist contributors

Live Music: Dance barefoot in the grass or sway under the oaks to sounds from local bands

Art in Nature Trail: Follow a winding trail dotted with temporary, site-specific art installations by a variety of artists

Guided Nature Walks: Learn from local experts (like us!) on topics from birds to plants to fire ecology

Vendors Galore: Enjoy food, drinks, crafts, and native plants from regional makers

iNaturalist Florablitz: Contribute to science by uploading your wildflower sightings from around Lane County May 13–17. Your photos help shape the festival’s floral display! 

It’s a spring celebration like no other.

As members of the Environmental Leadership Program, and the Aves Compartidas team, we’re proud to be part of the Wildflower Festival magic. Every year, students like us contribute to this joyful event by leading guided hikes, offering interactive education, and helping make the day run smoothly. 

Here’s where you can find Aves Compartidas and friends this year: 

Doing Art: Make wildflower-inspired crafts with our team! 

Spending time in the Quiet Reading Corner: Need a breather? Cozy up with a nature book, curated by our ELP team with a focus on ecoliteracy. 

Leading Bird & Fire Ecology Walks: Join us for guided hikes focused on the birds of Mt. Pisgah (led by Aves Compartidas) or the role of fire in the landscape (led by the Climate Science team)

Facilitating Hummingbird Party: Dress in red and sit quietly in a circle—we’ll try to attract hummingbirds and other pollinators. It's a magical moment of stillness and wonder

Providing Festival Support: From directing parking to helping guests feel welcome, we lend our hands wherever they’re needed. 

This festival is more than a day of work, it’s a celebration of everything we love about learning, leading, and living in sync with nature.

The Wildflower Festival is one day, but your connection to wildflowers, native plants, and your local natural space can last all year. 

Here’s some ways to keep the nature magic going: 

Become a Member: With over 2,000 members and growing, this community of supporters makes everything at the Arboretum possible—from trail upkeep to educational programs. Members get great benefits, too! 

Volunteer: Help with trail maintenance, events, habitat restoration, and more. 

Visit Often: Walk the trails. Bring a friend. Learn a birdcall. Watch the seasons change. Just showing up is a powerful act of care.

Care, Share, Protect: In a world that desperately needs healing, stewarding our local lands is a hopeful and tangible way to take action.

Mt. Pisgah belongs to all of us, and it's only as vibrant as the community that surrounds it. Let’s keep blooming together.

Wildflowers are nature’s freelancers, plants that bloom on their own, without being planted or pampered by people. They're often native species, perfectly adapted to their environment, and crucial players in local ecosystems. Native wildflowers feed pollinators, house wildlife, and keep our soils and waters healthy. Unlike invasive plants, they grow in balance with their surroundings. 

Here in Oregon, spring brings an explosion of native beauty: the electric purple and blue of Camas, the intricate elegance of Pacific trillium, the sunburst of Oregon grape, and the wild poise of lupine and western columbine. These flowers aren’t just pretty faces, they're ecological superheroes. 

So why a festival? Because we should celebrate them. The Mt. Pisgah Arboretum Wildflower Festival is a way to pause, appreciate, and reconnect. It’s a joyful, community-powered reminder that nature isn’t just background, it’s our home.