Matthaei Botanical Gardens, a 300-acre garden and natural area operated by the University of Michigan, blends display gardens, research habitats, and trails through woodlands, wetlands, ponds, and prairie. Established in 1907 and shaped by a 200-acre gift from Frederick C. Matthaei Sr. and Mildred Matthaei, it includes formal and naturalistic gardens, a children’s garden, and spaces for contemplation. Its conservatory, designed by Alden Dow and completed in 1964, contains tropical, temperate, and arid plant collections and is identified as the largest university-operated display greenhouse in the United States. The grounds also preserve restored prairie and historic farm buildings, supporting study, conservation, and recreation.