Pearl River County is home to a native plant conservatory known as the Crosby Arboretum.

The arboretum provides a sanctuary for plants indigenous to Mississippi and serves as an educational tool for the community, Crosby Arboretum Director Patricia Drackett said.

The arboretum contains hundreds of plant species native to the Pearl River Drainage Basin and was established in order to benefit the community recreationally, economically and culturally, Drackett said.

“Here at the arboretum, which displays the beauty of Mississippi, we receive many visitors and offer numerous educational programs,” Drackett said.

The Crosby Arboretum serves as a living memorial to the late L.O. Crosby Jr., a local philanthropist and civic leader who was passionate about nature. After his death, the Crosby family decided to transform what was originally a strawberry farm into a center for native plants, establishing the Crosby Arboretum Foundation, according to Drackett.

The arboretum opened its doors to the public in 1986. In 1997, the arboretum expanded their resources by partnering with Mississippi State University, Drackett said.

“We’re part of the Mississippi State University Extension Service. A lot of people don’t realize we’re a MSU facility,” Drackett said.

This partnership allows the university to study and learn about plant species while offering educational programs to the community. In June, the arboretum will host several events, including a gallery opening, a lesson on migrant and resident birds and a yoga class.

The arboretum also has a walking trail that allows the public to explore the 104-acre native plant center, which consists of three natural exhibits–the savanna, which contains native shrubs and wildflowers, the woodland, home to oak, hickory and beech trees and the aquatic where the Pinecote Pavilion, the arboretum’s most popular attraction resides, said Jill Mirkovich, Crosby Arboretum senior curator.

“The pavilion is used for everything like meetings, educational programs and weddings,” Mirkovich said.

Currently, the pavilion is undergoing renovations but should be open soon, Mirkovich said.

“People should take advantage of the arboretum,” Drackett said. “Our programs are aimed at helping people build an appreciation to the natural world around them.”

The arboretum also provides guided and self-guided tours for the general public.

The Crosby Arboretum is located at 370 Ridge Rd. For more information, contact office staff at (601) 799-2311.