The Arboretum turns 90 this year, but it almost didn't. A new UC Davis Magazine feature explores how generations of students, staff, faculty, volunteers and supporters transformed an underfunded garden into a beloved campus jewel and living laboratory—pioneering ideas that now advance climate resilience, student well-being and environmental leadership far beyond Davis.
Summer 2026 marks the beginning of the Physical Sciences District Improvements, a long-planned effort to transform aging pathways, landscapes and former construction staging areas into welcoming, well-defined spaces that improve safety, circulation and the overall campus experience.
Weed Out Stress events bring focused, hands-on attention to campus landscapes. In the process, volunteers step away from screens, spend time outdoors, and experience the restorative benefits that come from working with plants and being immersed in nature.
This month’s Facilities Management (FM) Staff Spotlight shines on a familiar face with deep roots in the UC Davis landscape—both literally and figuratively. Meet Mario Casanova, our Landscape Superintendent, whose journey from student employee to leadership role highlights a true commitment to campus and community.
This season, a coordinated effort led by Facilities Management’s Arboretum and Public Garden and Building Maintenance Services teams is giving building entrances across campus a much-needed refresh, with a combination of pressure washing and landscape touch-ups.
We’d like to introduce one of our amazing student interns at the Arboretum and Public Garden sector of Facilities Management, Brisny Argueta Balan! Brisny is a first year Civil Engineering major and has been an Arboretum Ambassador Intern since October. Arboretum Ambassador interns are students in the Learning by Leading program that assist with campus stewardship and outreach responsibilities for the Arboretum and Public Garden.
At UC Davis, the beauty and health of the trees that provide shade and foliage doesn’t happen just by chance—it’s the result of careful stewardship by our dedicated and highly skilled Tree Team. We sat down with Tree Team Supervisor Justin Morejohn to learn more about the work that goes into keeping our campus green and growing.
The Learning by Leading™ Program (or LxL) is a student leadership development program offered by the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden that provides undergraduates with hands-on, real-world experience in environmental and public garden management.
Come and join our Learning by Leading™ Urban Tree Stewardship team and help plant trees to keep growing our campus canopy! Volunteers are encouraged to wear sturdy shoes, a hat and clothes that they don't mind getting dirty. Don't forget to bring a water bottle!
Our campus has long been known for its delightful greenery and natural beauty, but it’s easy to overlook the amount of care and planning that goes into making the UC Davis campus the lush space that it is. Beyond their beauty, campus gardens contribute to sustainability efforts, foster community engagement, and serve as living laboratories for educational exploration. The Gorman Museum of Native American Art, which opened its doors on campus just last year, recently got a garden makeover from Ryan Deering, GATEways Horticulturist, and his Sustainable Horticulture team.
