More About FREE Naturalist Backpack Rental at Gabis Arboretum 🎒
Turn your nature walk into an exploration with our Free Naturalist Backpack Rental! Perfect for families, curious hikers, and budding naturalists.
Each backpack is packed with tools to help you discover and learn:
• Bird & Wildlife Guides
• Wildflower & Tree Guides
• Adult & Child Binoculars
• Scat Cards
• Adventure Cards
• Shirley Heinze Guidebook
📧 To reserve: Please email gabisarboretum@pnw.edu at least 48 hours in advance. We'll confirm availability and let you know where to pick up your backpack.
💳 Deposit: Leave a state ID or driver’s license.
⏳ Duration: Please return within 2 hours so others can enjoy.
📬 Email now to reserve your backpack and start your adventure!
Each backpack is packed with tools to help you discover and learn:
• Bird & Wildlife Guides
• Wildflower & Tree Guides
• Adult & Child Binoculars
• Scat Cards
• Adventure Cards
• Shirley Heinze Guidebook
📧 To reserve: Please email gabisarboretum@pnw.edu at least 48 hours in advance. We'll confirm availability and let you know where to pick up your backpack.
💳 Deposit: Leave a state ID or driver’s license.
⏳ Duration: Please return within 2 hours so others can enjoy.
📬 Email now to reserve your backpack and start your adventure!
Date & Time
April 17, 2026
Additional Dates
This event also occurs on:
05/01/2026, 05/15/2026, 05/29/2026, 06/12/2026 and 11 other dates
Location
Gabis Arboretum at Purdue Northwest
450 W 100 N
Valparaiso, IN 46385
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Gabis Arboretum at Purdue Northwest
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More About Gabis Arboretum
at Purdue Northwest
Gabis Arboretum at Purdue Northwest is a 300-acre, oak preserve of formal gardens, woodlands, wetlands, prairies and hiking trails located near Valparaiso, Indiana. Open year round, the Arboretum offers a wide variety of events and classes for all ages. Officially becoming part of Purdue University Northwest in 2018, Gabis Arboretum provides an enriching, natural habitat for public, educational, conservation and recreational use.
Located approximately 25 miles from the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore and 60 miles southeast of Chicago in Valparaiso, Indiana, Gabis Arboretum offers beautiful vistas, quiet corners and hiking trails to escape into its diverse landscape.
Located approximately 25 miles from the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore and 60 miles southeast of Chicago in Valparaiso, Indiana, Gabis Arboretum offers beautiful vistas, quiet corners and hiking trails to escape into its diverse landscape.
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