The Gardens at SIUE

A Campus Living Laboratory

The Gardens at SIUE comprises existing woodlands, ponds, grasslands and an arboretum on a lush and rolling 36-acre site. The Gardens is a living laboratory dedicated to supporting the educational and research mission of the University. Environmental sustainability, conservation and stewardship are cornerstones of The Gardens’ vision, providing a unique opportunity to research, implement and demonstrate innovative green technologies. Gardens, facilities and amenities feature renewable, recycled and sustainability-produced materials. During the early phases of its development, the Gardens at SIUE was one of three world-renowned Missouri Botanical Gardens’ Signature Gardens.

Mission

The mission of The Gardens at SIUE is to create a venue of beauty and distinction that will support the educational and research components of the University; that will engage the public in educational opportunity and campus life; and that will provide a haven for relaxation and enjoyment for all.

History of The Gardens at SIUE

In 1990, Donal G. Myer, the Dean of the SIUE School of Sciences, and Frank Kulfinski, an SIUE environmental science professor, began planning the creation of an arboretum. After Myer's passing, the SIU Board of Trustees dedicated the arboretum to him. Kulfinski was the Myer Arboretum's first director.

In 2004, the Arboretum became The Gardens at SIUE. Since then, The Gardens has grown into a well-loved recreational venue and community resource.

In 2016, the Illinois state budget crisis severely reduced The Gardens’ budget. The Certified Master Gardeners and Master Naturalists began working as volunteers to maintain and further develop the gardens and continue operations without state funding. Currently, The Gardens relies on these volunteers and donation funds through the SIUE Foundation to continue its operations.  

In the April 2023 edition of the AAA magazine, The Gardens was named among the “10 Most Beautiful Botanical Gardens to Explore.” It was listed again in 2026. From its inception as a university arboretum to its present as a volunteer-driven garden, The Gardens at SIUE has been cherished by the local community and visitors from far beyond.