Gabis Arboretum at Purdue Northwest, located near Valparaiso, Indiana, offers a sprawling 300-acre landscape of gardens, woodlands, wetlands, and prairies. This arboretum became part of Purdue University Northwest in 2018 and serves as a living laboratory for education, research, conservation, and community engagement. It was originally founded by Damien and Rita Gabis in the 1990s, starting with 72 acres and gradually expanding to its current size.
The arboretum is renowned for having the largest collection of oak trees in Indiana and features an award-winning garden railway that integrates model railroads with the natural landscape. The site includes various other plant collections and display gardens, and it plays a vital role in providing educational programs and recreational opportunities for the community. It hosts a variety of events throughout the year, ranging from educational hikes to music performances, all aimed at enhancing the appreciation of natural and cultivated environments.
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Chris Light, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons