A focus on conservation manifests itself in the maintenance of limited lawn area on the Arboretum grounds and very minimal use of fertilizer and pesticide. Most Arboretum plant collections are not simply specimen trees surrounded by vast areas of lawn. Prairies are wonderfully low maintenance and allow for considerably more biodiversity and multi-seasonal interest than do lawns. The Arboretum also has two naturalistic landscape demonstration areas. These areas are living examples of the possibility of using existing native plants to re-landscape an area in an environmentally friendly manor.
Naturalistic landscaping is a pleasing alternative to large areas of turf.
Mamacoke Marsh in the Thames River. A band of Spartina alterniflora can be seen along the water with Spartina patens behind. Wetlands are also a key area of focus. The Arboretum includes Mamacoke Salt Marsh, the Red Maple Bog and other bog areas, The Arboretum Pond, as well as numerous smaller wetland systems. Wetlands are dynamic water purifiers, nurseries for marine organisms, pollution filters, buffers against storms and storm tides, and centers of biodiversity.