2026 Gala in the Gardens: Plant Conservation Program

The University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Plant Conservation Program protects what makes life possible: plants. This program safeguards Minnesota’s rare species and the ecosystems that sustain clean water, healthy soil, pollinators and wildlife. It does this through native plant rescue, propagation, seed banking and statewide education. When native plants disappear, so do the intricate relationships that keep our natural world in balance. Protecting them isn’t only about preserving beauty — it’s about safeguarding the health, resilience and identity of our shared environment. When native plants disappear, entire ecosystems unravel. When we protect them, we strengthen the land, water and communities we call home.