CBS Conservatory

11/20/2025

Living plant collections provide students, researchers, and the community with access to many plants they’d otherwise never have a chance to see firsthand. The CBS Conservatory houses the most diverse collection of plants from around the world in the region This Give to the Max Day, your gift will help us maintain this critical resource, give students opportunities to work with plants from around the world, and provide access to this living collection to the entire community.
https://crowdfund.umn.edu/participants/CBSConservatory.

11/20/2025

This Give to the Max Day, help bring the plants of the world to the people of Minnesota! With more than 2,000 plant specimens found in four distinct climates, the CBS Conservatory is a living encyclopedia available to students, researchers, and the community. Your gift helps us fund research and conservation initiatives that protect biodiversity, students across the University a hands-on learning experience, and inspire thousands of visitors, from K-12 students to community members.
https://crowdfund.umn.edu/participants/CBSConservatory.

11/19/2025

It’s Give to the Max Day tomorrow! Help us care for our living encyclopedia of plants, support plant conservation, and bring an appreciation of plants to the students of the University and people of Minnesota with a gift to the Conservatory Fund. You can make a gift today or tomorrow at https://crowdfund.umn.edu/participants/CBSConservatory.

08/16/2024

Come visit us 8/26 & 8/29 in the UMN Crossroads building and check out some amazing plants we will be bringing along to the MN State Fair!

Check out the schedule and come visit CBS at the Great Minnesota Get-Together. July 25, 2024 It’s almost that time of year. In addition to checking out the butter sculptures and seed art, plan to stop by the CBS booth to learn and engage with the science happening at our field stations and conserv...

08/08/2024

WE'RE HIRING! The CBS Conservatory is looking for an exceptional curator to lead the development and growth of this incredible living resource.
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Come work with wonderful plants alongside an energetic and committed team of staff and volunteers. "Like" and "Share" to help us spread the word to any potential candidates!
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Search for job code 362641 on the UMN's job website or follow the link in our bio.

05/21/2022

Grace Wanner you made it to the big leagues!

01/26/2022

Red nectar starlet made the cover!

Colored nectars are rare in nature. The colors lure in pollinators, and new patented research could attract industry partners in search of natural colorant options.

06/16/2021

Yesterday a small group of St. Paul Garden Club members, artists from our artists-in-residence program and a handful of other invited guests joined together to view the new public art piece and celebrate pieces created by artists-in-residence.

Our doors are not quite open yet to the public, but we are excited to announce we’ll host a Grand Opening on Saturday, October 9. Nearly 18 months after our original date was cancelled due to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, we cannot wait to welcome you! More details to come.

Highlights from the Tuesday event include —

Synthesis, a public art piece commissioned for the new Conservatory & Botanical Collection entryway debuted! Jodi Reeb created the piece which will greet visitors for years to come.

Ceramic pieces pieces inspired by the four biomes by former artist-in-residence Ursula Hargens.

Painting of a life-size co**se flower created during its most recent bloom by the five artists of the Minnesota school of Botanical Art.

Whimsical watercolors created by our current artist-in-residence, Shelby Cate.

Ceramic “mutations” of plants that are displayed next to actual plants in the biome rooms created by our current artist-in-residence Juliane Shibata.

We are so fortunate to have many talented artists spend time in our spaces. Sharing our science with the public is part of our mission as a college and in the conservatory’s tagline: Bringing the plants of the world to the people of Minnesota. Art offers visitors another way of approaching the natural world.

06/03/2021

White Veined Hardy Dutchman's Pipe vine ground cover is in bloom currently in the CBS Conservatory & Botanical Collection's Tropical Climate (https://cbs.umn.edu/conservatory/plant-collections/tropics). A native of Bolivia, Brazil and northeast Argentina, its maroon and gold flowers are shaped like a pipe. In Latin, the species name, fimbriata, refers to its fringed lip. The plant grows in a mound supported by tuberous roots and its heart shaped foliage has silver veins.

02/01/2021

The new Conservatory & Botanical Collection is still closed to the public but you can take a peek inside! Explore the biomes and experience the vicarious warmth and light!

Take a brief tour of the new facility located on the St. Paul campus at the University of Minnesota. The Conservatory houses the most diverse collection of plants…

04/02/2020