Zielonka Arboretum

The Arboretum in Zielonka, located in the Zielonka Forest northeast of Poznań, was established in 1979 on the initiative of Prof. Dr. Hab. Jan Meixner, Dean of the Faculty of Forestry at the Poznań University of Life Sciences. The arboretum covers an area of 86 hectares, including 23 hectares of a dendrological and landscape park and 63 hectares of a forest arboretum. It is home to approximately 1,100 species and varieties of trees and shrubs, and 560 species of herbaceous plants have been inventoried. The collection includes aquatic, marsh, and utilitarian plants, making it not only an important site on the botanical map but also a valuable natural resource. The arboretum serves educational, scientific, and cultural functions, providing a research site for academics from various departments of the University of Life Sciences. Additionally, students participate in field exercises, which helps train future specialists in forestry and horticulture. Within the grounds, there are two educational trails: the "Insect Garden" and a trail in the marshland area of the Trojanka River valley. Admission to the arboretum is free, and it is open year-round, making it accessible to a wide audience. Two memorial boulders are located on the site—one in honor of Jan Meixner with a commemorative plaque from 1998, and another at the entrance, commemorating the arboretum's activities. To mark its 35th anniversary in 2014, a tree—a common beech "Dawyck Purple"—was planted. The arboretum also features avenues named after prominent scientists associated with Poznań. This unique place combines architectural, natural, and cultural aspects, serving as a monument to dedication in nature conservation and education.