uncertain transition – we are dealing with unpredictable winters , but also know that our climate is getting warmer overall .
Addressing the Warming Climate How far the changes will go in the future is difficult to predict , but we know we have to start addressing our warming climate now . We have started testing plants that we have had little or no experience with at Mount Auburn in the past , to see how more Zone 6 species respond to our environment .
Thanks to phenology data that we ’ ve been gathering since 2016 , we are also adding plants that flower later in the spring . On average , the timing has shifted earlier for when plants bloom and insects emerge to feed on them , but bird migration has stayed relatively consistent . Since Mount Auburn is a major stopover point for migratory birds , we want to ensure that food is available when they arrive ( i . e . the insects feeding on the flowering plants ). While not every ecosystem imbalance is in our control , we are optimistic that this is one we can address effectively .
Overall , the situation certainly is daunting , but we have reasons to remain hopeful that Mount Auburn ’ s plant collections will continue to thrive . Climate warming happens slowly – over decades , not years . This gives us more time to diversify our collection and figure out what works best , even amid erratic weather and temperature changes . Our horticulture mission has always given us flexibility to test out a wide variety of plants throughout our history , and we will continue to use this to our advantage .
Will our entire collection remain intact as we know it today ? Unfortunately , that has never been a guarantee . Almost any arboretum and botanic garden can attest that sometimes , iconic plants can be vulnerable . But what we have learned from this is that the less we rely on individual species , the better our long-term success will be . With more research , testing , and creativity , we are optimistic that our staff will keep Mount Auburn the beautiful , inspiring landscape we know and love , long into the future .
SIDEBAR : Plant Collections at a Glance Across its 175 acres , Mount Auburn features a significant collection of almost 19,000 plants .
• 5,000 trees
• 120 different botanical families
• More than 2,300 different taxa *
• During the last 10 years the collections have increased by 1,976 plants or masses of plants ( 12 % increase ), and the number of different taxa represented has increased by 581 ( 33 % increase )
* Note : In a botanical context , a “ taxon ” ( pl . taxa ) is considered to be a valid name for plants at various classification levels , including species , subspecies , variety , form , hybrid , and cultivar .
Mount Auburn Cemetery | Climate Action & Sustainability Plan 88