Group Name: The Morton Arboretum, located in Lisle, IL, is a 1,700 acre outdoor museum focusing on the collection, planting, and conservation of trees, shrubs, and other plants from around the world. Founded in 1922, The Morton Arboretum is home to 500 acres of plant collections and gardens, including a four-acre interactive Children’s Garden and 900 acres of natural areas, including woodlands, savannahs, prairies, meadows, lakes, and streams. The natural areas also include one of the oldest restored prairies in the Midwest, the 100-acre Schulenberg Prairie. During this field trip and workshop, participants will explore the opportunities for research and education in this living classroom. On their first stop, participants will tour the ongoing prairie and woodland restoration projects. They will also hear about the Arboretum’s new research into natural areas management, contributions to plant conservation and systematics, and the way the arboretum is addressing problems in urban growing environments, soil science, and tree breeding. In the afternoon, the participants will gather in the historic Thornhill Education Center for a workshop on approaches and techniques for museum education, and for developing programs in natural areas stewardship and citizen science. This will begin with a brainstorming summit on integrating research and education at museums, and move on to discussing specific approaches for adult and youth audiences. Summary: In this field trip, discover the possibilities for ecological education and research at an outdoor museum. Visit the Morton Arboretum, discuss the research and educational programs taking place, and participate in a workshop on integrating research and education in a museum setting.