明尼苏达大学景观树木园（University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum）创建于1958年，是一座占地1200英亩的大型公共植物园，位于明尼苏达州查斯卡市（Chaska）。植物园隶属于明尼苏达大学园艺研究中心，依托校园专业资源，致力推动植物科学研究与公众园艺教育。每年吸引近70万游客参观，是美国中西部最重要的植物园之一。植物园内设有众多主题花园、树木园、草原保护区及湿地生态系统，园内铺设多条步道，四季开放供游客探索。
创立与发展
明尼苏达大学景观树木园的起源可追溯至1956年。当时，明尼苏达园艺协会（Garden Club of Minneapolis）提出创建植物园的构想，希望开发适应北部严寒气候的植物品种。1958年，莱克米内顿卡花园俱乐部（Lake Minnetonka Garden Club）的女性成员捐款购置了160英亩土地，毗邻现有的大学果树研究农场。1974年，以植物园首任主任莱昂·C·斯奈德博士（Dr. Leon C. Snyder）命名的教育研究大楼正式开放，由著名建筑师埃德温·隆迪（Edwin Lundie）设计，现为安德森园艺图书馆所在地。2005年，奥斯瓦尔德游客中心（Oswald Visitor Center）落成，建筑面积45000平方英尺，采用地热供暖制冷系统，是明尼苏达州最大的绿色建筑之一。
特色花园
植物园拥有多个特色花园，涵盖一年生花园、多年生花园、玫瑰园、鸢尾花收藏、观赏草收藏以及大丽花试验花园等。一年生活性花园展示季节性色彩变化；日本庭园以传统东亚园林风格著称；中国庭园融入中华文化元素；迷宫花园为儿童提供探索乐趣；感觉花园专为残障游客设计，提供触觉、嗅觉等多感官体验。植物园还设有树木园、灌木收藏馆等专科园区，收藏来自世界各地的木本植物，为植物分类学研究提供重要资源。
研究与保护
作为大学附属研究机构，景观树木园在植物研究领域发挥重要作用。园艺研究中心开展苹果育种、抗寒落叶杜鹃花”Lights”系列等多项长期育种计划，在国际上享有盛誉。植物保护工作涵盖本地稀有兰科植物保护、明尼苏达植物观察项目（MN PlantWatch）以及植物救援行动等多个方面。园区内的自然区域保护了多种原生草原、湿地和森林生态系统，包括斯普林·皮珀草原、贝内特-约翰逊草原、湖泊杜松沼泽和湿地木板路等重要生态区域。
教育与培训
植物园的教育项目惠及各年龄段人群。每年有超过55000名儿童参与植物园的实地考察项目、户外教室和夏令营活动。马里恩·安德鲁斯学习中心（Marion Andrus Learning Center）设有收获厨房、园艺棚、温室和儿童花园等设施，为青少年提供动手实践的园艺体验。农场体验区（Farm at the Arb）于2019年正式开放，以标志性的红色谷仓为核心，展示本地农作物和可持续农业实践。植物园还为成年人提供各类讲座、研讨会和工作坊，主题涵盖园艺、自然保护等领域。
社区参与
植物园通过多种方式加强与社区的联系。年度活动包括五月集市（May Markets），汇集60多位本地艺术家和工匠；达科他神圣箍圈步行（ Dakota Sacred Hoop Walk）传承原住民文化；植物园还开展城市花园项目，为社区居民提供园艺技术培训和种子资源。会员项目为支持者提供专属权益，包括免费入场、折扣商品和特别活动邀请等。植物园在社交媒体上活跃，通过博客、Instagram、LinkedIn和TikTok等平台分享园艺知识和最新动态。
官方网站：https://arb.umn.edu
University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
The University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, founded in 1958, is a 1,200-acre public garden in Chaska, Minnesota, affiliated with the University’s Horticultural Research Center. Attracting nearly 700,000 visitors annually, the Arboretum is one of the most significant botanical institutions in the American Midwest. It features diverse display gardens, renowned tree collections, protected natural areas, and active research programs. Paved paths, nature trails, and cross-country ski routes provide year-round access to nature’s healing environments.
Founding and Development
The Arboretum originated in 1956 when the Garden Club of Minneapolis approached the Minnesota State Horticultural Society with the vision for an arboretum. In 1958, funds raised by women of the Lake Minnetonka Garden Club purchased 160 acres adjacent to the University’s Fruit Breeding Farm. The Leon C. Snyder Education and Research Building opened in 1974, named for the Arboretum’s first director, and houses the Andersen Horticultural Library. In 2005, the 45,000-square-foot Oswald Visitor Center opened as one of Minnesota’s largest public buildings utilizing geothermal technology, offering a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels.
Specialty Gardens
The Arboretum features numerous specialty gardens including Annual, Perennial, and Rose Gardens, as well as Iris, Ornamental Grass, and Dahlia Trial Gardens. The Japanese Garden showcases traditional East Asian design while the Chinese Garden incorporates cultural elements. The Maze Garden provides interactive exploration for children while the Sensory Garden offers multi-sensory experiences for visitors with disabilities. The Woody Landscape Plants collection and Shrub Collections showcase tree and shrub species from around the world, supporting botanical research and plant conservation.
Research and Conservation
As a university-affiliated research institution, the Arboretum plays a vital role in plant science. The Horticultural Research Center conducts long-term breeding programs including cold-hardy deciduous azalea cultivars known as the “Lights” series, internationally recognized for their winter survival. Conservation efforts encompass Minnesota’s native orchids, the MN PlantWatch phenology program, and plant rescue operations. Natural areas under protection include Spring Peeper Meadow, Bennett-Johnson Prairie, Lake Tamarack, and Bog Boardwalk, preserving native prairie, wetland, and forest ecosystems.
Education and Training
The Arboretum’s education programs serve all ages. More than 55,000 children participate annually in field trips, outdoor classrooms, and summer day camps. The Marion Andrus Learning Center features the Harvest Kitchen, Garden Shed, Greenhouse, and Children’s Garden, offering hands-on horticultural experiences. The Farm at the Arb, opened in 2019, showcases sustainable agriculture with its iconic Big Red Barn and apprenticeship program for aspiring farmers. Adults benefit from lectures, symposia, and workshops covering topics from aromatherapy to handmade papermaking.
Community Engagement
The Arboretum strengthens community ties through diverse programs. Annual events include May Markets featuring over 60 local artists and artisans, and the Dakota Sacred Hoop Walk honoring Indigenous heritage. The Urban Garden Program provides technical training and seed resources to community gardeners. Membership benefits include free admission, gift shop discounts, and invitations to exclusive events. The Arboretum maintains an active presence on social media through its blog, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok, sharing horticultural knowledge and updates with the public.
Official Website: https://arb.umn.edu
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