Saint John’s Abbey Arboretum – Nature Sanctuary

A sunlit forest scene with a dirt path winding through tall, green trees. Sunrays filter through the leafy canopy, casting dappled light on the ground. Lush vegetation surrounds the path, creating a serene and inviting atmosphere.

Since its founding in 1856, Saint John’s Abbey has been guided by the Benedictine principles of stability, hospitality and stewardship. In 1933, the abbey lands were designated as a state wildlife refuge. In 1997, the longstanding principle of stewardship led the monks to designate the abbey lands as a natural arboretum with a focus on conservation, education, research and spiritual renewal.

Current Priorities

A tranquil lake bordered by tall reeds reflects the sky, surrounded by a forest with autumn foliage in shades of green, red, and orange. Overhanging red leaves frame the top of the image, creating a serene, picturesque scene.

The Landscape

The Abbey Arboretum is a mix of prairie, oak savanna, oak and hardwood forest, conifer forest, and lakes and wetlands. Explore maps and descriptions of the landscape.

White flowers with yellow centers bloom among dry brown leaves on the forest floor. Sunlight filters through, highlighting the delicate petals and green leaves.

Plants & Wildlife

While the lists we have are not comprehensive, they represent some of the variety of plants and animals that might be seen in or around the Abbey Arboretum.

A firefighter wearing a yellow helmet and protective gear stands in a field of dry grass, with large flames and smoke rising in the background, indicating a wildfire.

Stewardship Initiatives

Oak forest regeneration, native habitat restoration, invasive species removal, pollinator gardens, shoreline restoration, and more!

Four people stand smiling in a garden, each holding a potted plant. They wear matching green shirts and jeans. In the background, there's a greenhouse surrounded by autumn foliage. The sky is partly cloudy.

Abbey Conservation Corps

The Saint John’s Abbey relies on the contributions made by volunteers from our surrounding community to help maintain our natural lands.

A glass bottle of syrup with a handle sits on a reflective surface. The background features a geometric stained glass window with hexagonal patterns and blue, white, and gray colors.

Saint John’s Maple Syrup

Saint John’s Abbey began making maple syrup in 1942. Hundreds of volunteers help tap trees, collect sap and cook syrup each spring. With the help of Outdoor U, we also provide opportunities for education and tours, including the Maple Syrup Festival.

Sign in front of a grassy field reads "Saint John’s Abbey Game Refuge." It lists prohibitions: vehicles, fires, camping, motorized boats, pets, hunting, firearms, weapons, off-road bicycles. Forested area in the background.

Land Plans & Policies

In keeping with the Benedictine Values, Saint John’s Abbey is pleased to share our home with you where you may observe nature and be physically and spiritually refreshed. As a guest on this private property, please be respectful of our policies and this land which we consider sacred.

Aerial view of a large solar farm with numerous rows of solar panels situated in a rural landscape. Surrounding the solar farm are open fields, trees, a winding river, and scattered buildings in the distance. The area appears vast and sparsely populated.

Abbey Energy Solar Farm

Measuring 27 acres and 3400 kW, Saint John’s Abbey solar farm provides almost 20% of Saint John’s annual energy needs (enough to power 600 homes annually). Three installations since 2009 provide opportunities for education and research. Read more in the summer 2017 issue of Sagatagan Seasons.

FSC Certification

Saint John’s Abbey Arboretum is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council® FSC® – C008922, ensuring that our land stewardship operations are held to the highest standards.

A deer stands alert in a lush, green forest. The animal looks directly at the camera, surrounded by tall trees and dense foliage. Sunlight filters through the leaves, casting a dappled pattern of light and shadow on the forest floor.

Archery Deer Hunt

Saint John’s Abbey’s intent is to reduce the deer population to a level that allows natural regeneration of the forest ecosystem that is essential to the long-term habitat of deer and other components of the ecosystem.