麻豆视频

Plan your visit

Join us at the Arboretum for a class trip or community event, to celebrate a special occasion, or to explore on your own! There is no admission fee to enjoy the Arboretum grounds, though donations are welcome.

Winter ski in arb

The Arboretum includes over 2.5 miles of trails through three ecosystems, the trails are available for walking, biking, or running, in addition to snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the winter. 

The Melva Lind Interpretive Center houses a classroom space, in addition to restrooms and several exhibits. The Arboretum Staff offices are located around the side of the building. 

To get a sense of what a visit to the Arboretum is like, check out from KEYC television.

Hours and Cost

The Arboretum is open daylight hours, year round.
The Melva Lind Interpretive Center is open 8 a.m. - 5 a.m. on weekdays and is available for event rentals

There is no admission fee. 

 

Location and Parking

Visitor parking is located in the M and N lots near the Interpretive Center and are marked with blue signs.

 

Arboretum Map

Map of the Arboretum

 

Field Trips

Are you interested in bringing students to the Arboretum on a field trip? Please email arboretum [at] gustavus.edu (arboretum[at]gustavus[dot]edu) to schedule a visit.

Option 1 - Lead your own tour. Let the Arboretum staff know when you are coming to ensure we can accommodate your visit (even if you do not need assistance).

Option 2 - Receive educational assistance from Arboretum staff. We can provide a tour or a lesson on a key topic.

Labyrinth and Meditation Garden

A labyrinth is an ancient tool used to facilitate prayer and meditation. The labyrinth can be found in the open fields to the west of the Melva Lind Interpretive Center.

A meditation garden is a quiet space for mindfulness, reflection, and prayer. 麻豆视频 has a meditation garden in the hardwood forest to the north of the Borgeson Family Cabin.

Labyrinth in the arboretum

Arboretum Policies

We hope you enjoy the Arboretum鈥檚 beautiful places. While you are here, please respect the following regulations. Policies apply to 麻豆视频 employees and students, community members, and visitors. They are designed to protect visitors, plants, and wildlife鈥攕ome of them endangered鈥攁s well ongoing research and land care.

While you are here, please respect the following regulations. They are designed to protect visitors, plants, and wildlife鈥攕ome of them endangered鈥攁s well ongoing research and land care.

  1. We love dogs too, but not in the Arboretum! Dogs and other pets are not allowed in the Arboretum in accordance with College rules. Please see our Dog Policy below for more information.
  2. Please stay on trails, lawn areas, or the paved road at all times. Off-trail use damages plants, animal homes, restorations, and research.
  3. Bike on the paved drives and dirt trails only. Bicycles are not allowed in the gardens.
  4. Ski and snowshoe only on designated trails.
  5. No hunting, trapping, or disturbing animals. No target practice.
  6. No campfires or open flames. Permission for campfires must be approved by the Arboretum Office.
  7. The use of drones is prohibited in accordance with College rules.
  8. The use of alcohol or drugs is prohibited on the grounds of the Arboretum in accordance with College rules.
  9. Collecting and removing plants and other natural materials is prohibited. Researchers may apply for a collection permit.
  10. Please be respectful and conscientious of others enjoying the Arboretum. 

The Arboretum is a beautiful place to take pictures year-round and we encourage visitors to take photos for their own personal use or sharing on social media. 

That being said, professional photographers providing services for wedding parties, engagement photos, prom photos, graduation photos, family portraits, etc. are asked to purchase a daily professional photographer permit. 

PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS 鈥 All Professional (Commercial) photographers should pay the daily use fee by noon the day before the scheduled session. Failure to register may result in the photographer and client(s) being asked to leave the premises by 麻豆视频 Campus Security. The purpose of registration is to avoid conflicts between photographers and renters, visitors, and users of the Arboretum. The Arboretum is funded in large part by the generous donations of our members. Your payment helps the Arboretum continue to be a beautiful place for future guests and users.


Pay the $50 daily use fee here

If you are a photographer for a group that has reserved the Arboretum Interpretive Center, you are not required to register or pay the fee. 

Photography Etiquette

  • With a permit, photographers have access to take photos on the Arboretum property, but they must be respectful and not intrude on events or guests that are visiting that day.
  • Do not obstruct paths or prevent the movement of other visitors. Please encourage others to walk by between photos.
  • Please receive prior permission to use external power and equipment that requires cords.
  • Stay near pathways and mowed lawn areas as much as possible.
  • Do not pick or disturb plants in gardens or habitat areas.
  • Do not step in, or place equipment in, planted garden beds.
We love dogs too, but not in the Arb!
Here's why:
  • We strive to protect plant and wildlife biodiversity:
    • The lingering scent of dogs alters native wildlife patterns
    • Dog waste, especially urine, is extremely harmful to plants
  • We want to keep your pets safe from the various poisonous and thorny plants throughout the Arboretum
  • We are complying with the

Many of us have probably never considered the impact our furry friends are having on the wildlife and plant communities/ecosystems in our favorite dog-walking locations. It is important to be aware of some of the consequences, especially if that area is a protected park or arboretum, dedicated to preserving, growing, studying, and sharing various often endangered or native species.

Bringing our pets, particularly our dogs, into these areas can have devastating short- and long-term effects on the plant life and wildlife, and their habitats, protected by these areas, even if pets are on a leash! The lingering scent of dogs, both bodily and from urine/feces, alters the natural patterns and interactions for many species, including foraging habits, nest or burrow location, and range of habitat. 

For more information, please check out some of the following resources:

 

Decorations and modifications

  • Please do not use nails, staples, spray paint, or 3M Command hooks on the ceiling or ANY drywall area.
  • Please be respectful of the facilities and wildlife, we do not promote glitter or confetti in the Interpretive Center or on the grounds.
  • All decorations must be taken down and/or removed after the event.听

If you are unsure whether your decorations are acceptable in the Interpretive Center, please contact us at 507-933-6181 or arboretum [at] gustavus.edu (arboretum[at]gustavus[dot]edu) and always use discretion.

Cleaning

Keeping the Interpretive Center clean and orderly is imperative. Please do your best to keep the area clean.

  • Please clean the tabletops (cleaner and cloths can be found in the kitchenette).
  • Sweep/Swiffer mop, if necessary (see kitchenette for supplies).
  • Unless provided by the Arboretum, please take extra materials/food after the event is complete.
  • Collect all garbage and place the garbage bags out back (behind the kitchen) to the trash cans. (We want to ensure we do not attract mice.)
Best practice, please leave the place cleaner than you found it.听

Organization

  • Put tables and chairs back into their original placement. Rearrange any furniture that was put out of place. Keep podium to the right of the fireplace.
  • If used, please turn off the sound system and put technology cords back in the wood box neatly. If you used the screen, please use the toggle button to retract the screen.
  • If up, please pull down the wood kitchen divider in the kitchen window.
  • Turn lights off when you leave the space (located in the hallway by the restrooms).

Projector and Sound System

  • 听The 鈥渦p and down鈥 toggle button for the screen can be found on the east wall and (ultimately) behind the screen.
  • To turn on the projector, refer to the technology panel below the display case (to the far right of the fireplace).
  • Directions for your laptop are located on the wood ledge.
  • When finished, please retract the screen to the ceiling.
  • Please turn off the sound system and neatly place technology cords back in the wood box.

Fireplace

If you are renting out the space, you are approved to use the fireplace. Please be aware that the person who starts the fire is responsible for the safety and well-being of guests and property for the duration of the fire. Please follow these guidelines:

  • Be sure the damper is open by positioning the lever all the way to the right.
  • Begin with a hot fire to draw smoke up (a small, cold fire can result in a smoke-filled room!).
  • Prepare before lighting: Use lots of crumpled paper, some kindling on top of that, and split logs on top.
  • Once fire is burning well, close glass doors to prevent smoke rollout.
  • Do not leave fire unattended.
  • Leave only after fire has died down to coals. Be sure the mesh screen is closed!
  • Leave damper open even after the fire dies down.
  • For assistance with the fireplace, call 933-8888 for 麻豆视频 Campus Safety.

No Alcohol or Drugs

Alcohol is not permitted unless verified by the Arboretum. Drugs are not permitted on the Arboretum grounds in accordance with College rules.

No smoking

麻豆视频 is a 100% tobacco-free campus. All forms of tobacco use, including cigarettes, cigars, bidis, smokeless/spit tobacco, hookahs, blunts, pipes, e-cigarettes and snuff are prohibited. This applies to all campus grounds including parking lots, athletics facilities, event venues, classrooms and common areas. Read more about the policy here.听

Arboretum staff contact

If you have any questions about the guidelines or policies, please contact the 麻豆视频 Arboretum Office at 507-933-6181 or arboretum [at] gustavus.edu.听

If the Interpretive Center is found in disarray and directives were not followed, student organizations/guests could be subject to fines and/or banned from future use.听