Arboretum Local Products Expo encourages shopping green and local

Holiday shopping takes on a local, sustainable twist at the “Close to Home: Arboretum Local Products Expo” Sunday, Nov. 27 at the UW Arboretum.

Forty vendors will celebrate recycling, sustainability and locally produced goods from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Arboretum Visitor Center, 1207 Seminole Highway, at the third annual expo. The expo supports the Arboretum founder Aldo Leopold’s land ethic and the Arboretum’s mission to heal and sustain the land.

Last year’s expo drew 1,000 people for a one-stop spot for holiday shopping — especially shopping for art, edibles and “green” gifts . This year’s version adds to a long list of gift goodies, from locally produced chocolates, cheeses, honey, cookies and home canned goods to handmade mittens, scarves, purses, tote bags and jewelry—along with pottery, art, skincare products and much more.

The Arboretum’s bookstore will also feature a variety of field guides, nature journals, CDs and unique nature-related items, and the Friends of the Arboretum Garden Boutique will offer essential tools for gardeners.

Admission and parking are free. Consumers are encouraged to use cash or checks as preferred payment, as some vendors will not be prepared for credit card transactions.