The Westfield Arboretum officially began in 2018 as part of a dual celebration, the school’s 50th anniversary and Illinois’ bicentennial. To commemorate the occasion, they set out to plant a white oak. Instead, they planted a swamp white oak. This happy mistake helped ignite the beginning of their journey toward becoming an accredited arboretum.

Since then, they have committed to planting new trees each year, adding over twenty-one trees to their growing collection. Their arboretum features a developing variety of oaks and other native species that will be enjoyed by future generations. Through this work, they aim to create not only a living collection of trees, but also a lasting educational resource for the students and community.

As a school, they actively teach students about the importance of trees, their role in the environment, and the value of proper care and stewardship. Each year, they participate in Oaktober, a program that encourages students to collect and plant acorns, fostering hands on learning and a deeper connection to nature.

Located alongside the East Branch of the DuPage River, the arboretum plays an important role in supporting a healthy local ecosystem. By prioritizing native trees and plants, they help sustain their wetlands and provide habitat for wildlife. As their arboretum continues to grow, so too does their commitment to environmental education. They hope to ensure that the students develop into thoughtful stewards of the natural world.