Andrew Gapinski: Director
Chaska, MN — The College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS) at the University of Minnesota has selected Andrew Gapinski as the new Director of the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum (the “Arb”). Established by the University in 1958 and today part of CFANS, the 1,200-acre Arboretum is a signature public garden destination for more than 500,000 visitors annually, with more than 30,000 member households.
Gapinski comes to the Arb from the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University in Boston — North America’s oldest public arboretum — where he spent 10 years and most recently served as the Director of Horticulture. In this role, he cared for the plant collections and landscapes, leading a team of full-time employees, seasonal teams, research fellows, and horticultural interns. He was responsible for all aspects of horticulture, arboriculture, and natural areas management; ground operations and infrastructure; and grounds security and vehicle management. Beyond care of the Arnold’s collections and grounds, he was a leader in programs and initiatives across the institution, including leadership of domestic and international plant-collecting expeditions.
Prior to his work with the Arnold Arboretum, Gapinski held a variety of horticultural and administrative leadership roles at the Arboretum at Penn State and the Morton Arboretum in Lisle, IL.
The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum (MLA) serves as a research center and extension of the University of Minnesota's College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS). The MLA is one of the top visitor attractions in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area and an important part of the culture, education, and economy of the Twin Cities and the Upper Midwest. It serves a broad audience with more than 500,000 visitors annually and 32,000 members as a beautiful in-town getaway, an escape to reflect, re-energize or plan for the future and connect with the wonders of nature.
World class exhibits, events, and innovative natural science and horticultural education inspire individuals of all interests and ages. MLA is ever growing and improving the visitor experience and opportunities to educate and inspire Minnesotans through its plant collections with display gardens, horticultural research, programs, and 155 art collections. For more information, visit https://arb.umn.edu/
