Arboretum is a dendrological collection where valuable from scientific, cognitive and ornamental point of view native and introduced trees and bushes are accumulated, conserved and exhibited.
Dubrava arboretum covers an area of 51.5 ha and is one of the most significant introduction and study centres of dendroflora in Lithuania (established in 1958). It was granted the status of dendroflora collection and was announced as protected natural object. The Arboretum hosts about 1000 taxonomic units (species, subspecies, forms and varieties) of woody plants. Among introduced plants there are many rare speciemens, which are not grown in other Lithuanian investigating nature institutions. In 2004- 2006, in its part closer to the College there was established a very valuable for education and studies exposition of rare plants. Among them many plant species and varieties which had not been grown in the arboretum. In 2006 an administrative and laboratory building was built for the purposes of the nursery and arboretum, where premises for scientific and educational activities were specially equiped.
In 1960, on the banks of Kaunas Sea Girionys park was established, being one of the biggest and most beautiful in Lithuania landscape type parks established in post-war years (project author A.Tauras). In the park prevail native species of woody plants and about 250 introduced plants. The park contains also grasses and mushrooms listed in the Red Book of Lithuania.
The Arboretum and Girionys park are invaluable for practical training in dendrology, landscape architecture, landscape design, landscape garden installment and maintenance, botany and environment protection. Here one can learn to distinguish the species and varieties of woody plants, observe their phenology, ornamental features, arrangement principles, perspectives, open air spaces, changes of colours in different seasons of the year.
