John C. Gifford Arboretum Rules and Regulations

  1. Visitors must comply with all laws and all University of Miami rules and policies when in the Arboretum. The Arboretum is private property; your use of the Arboretum is a permissive license that is revocable by the University of Miami.
  2. The Arboretum is a sanctuary for plants, wildlife, and people. Please do not defile it by throwing or leaving any litter on the ground, including food or organic material. Please also pick up and properly dispose of any litter you observe.
  3. Do not feed, harass, mistreat, capture, or release any wild or feral animals (including cats).
  4. Well-behaved pets are welcome in the Arboretum. All pets must be leashed, and the owner must clean up any waste.
  5. Please do not move, remove, or damage any signs, labels, chairs, benches, tables, or other Arboretum property.
  6. Bicycles, scooters, and skateboards must be walked in the Arboretum.
  7. Food and picnics are allowed in the Arboretum, but all food and garbage must be properly disposed of. Glass bottles and containers are prohibited.
  8. Smoking and vaping are prohibited in the Arboretum.
  9. Events or large gatherings, leaving personal property, and the use of drones or other remotely controlled vehicles are only authorized in the Arboretum with the prior written permission of the Arboretum Director. Except for officially sanctioned events, music must be played only at low volumes or on headphones.
  10. Visitors are prohibited from damaging or defacing any Arboretum plants, including writing/carving on any roots, stems, trunks, branches, or leaves.
  11. Please do not climb any trees or hang swings or hammocks from them.
  12. Some plants in the Arboretum are highly toxic; visitors should only sample fruit or leaves under the supervision of the Arboretum Director.
  13. Some plants in the Arboretum have thorns or spines and others can cause allergic reactions. Please use common sense and caution to avoid injury. While visitors are welcome to relax, read, socialize, and picnic in the Arboretum, they should keep in mind that it is a diverse living collection maintained for education, conservation, and research.
  14. Visitors are welcome to take up to a few seeds if they want to propagate a plant. However, no invasive propagation (cuttings, air layers) is allowed without prior written permission from the Arboretum Director. Commercial harvesting of fruit, leaves, wood, or any plant material is prohibited. Collections for research or educational purposes must be approved in advance by the Arboretum Director.
  15. The Arboretum is an ever-changing landscape where you need to be alert to your surroundings for safe enjoyment. Be careful of changes in terrain, holes, hanging limbs and falling branches. We try to maintain the Arboretum in a safe condition, but you are responsible for taking care to avoid injury.
  16. Visitors who fail to comply with any of these rules, or who cause disturbances, may be asked to leave the Arboretum and/or may be barred from reentry. 

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