UC Davis Arboretum & Public Garden » Animal Science

Animal Science GATEway Garden update

Katie Hetrick — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 19:41:33 +0000

Have you seen the UC Davis Animal Science GATEway Garden? Be sure to stop by when you get a chance to check out the newly-planted beds and to enjoy the peaceful surroundings, that is, if the nearby donkey is not braying! You may feel as though you are trespassing because there is a gate at the entrance, but it pushes right open to give visitors a closer glimpse of the animals, and, once the interpretive signage is installed, an educational look at the research being conducted here. Take note of the farm equipment re-purposed by creative Animal Science crew members; there's a bench viewing area created using old wagon wheels, another seating area that makes a squeeze chute look inviting (see photo at the left), planters made from feeding troughs, and a picnic bench fashioned from a hay feeder. Under the large valley oak at the center of the garden you will find a selection of California natives known to thrive in this tree's shade. Large sandstone rocks brought in from the upper reaches of Putah Creek provide visual definition and serve to separate the planting areas within the raised beds. As the plants radiate out from the oak you'll find a mix of selections native to the southwest and high-desert including a variety of grasses typically consumed by domesticated animals raised in these areas. Notice the lack of landscaping west of the oak tree? That's a placeholder for a large teaching deck yet to be installed. READ MORE about the history of the creation of this garden here. VIEW A SLIDESHOW OF PHOTOS

Progress update: UC Davis Animal Science GATEway Garden

Katie Hetrick — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 18:27:12 +0000

We have made lots of progress in the UC Davis Animal Science GATEway Garden. Over the past few months pathways were shaped and paved with decomposed granite; raised planting beds, irrigation and fencing were installed; a bench was created using recycled agricultural materials (see photo above); stone pathways and fence posts were constructed; and defunct concrete irrigation standpipes were given a second life as vessels for container plantings. In a true collaborative effort, UC Davis Animal Science Farm Crew members, UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden team members including staff from Grounds and Landscape Services and Putah Creek and Riparian Reserve, along with student assistants and volunteers have all been hard at work creating a unique space that will serve to showcase UC Davis Animal Science research and societal contributions, in addition to functioning as an outdoor classroom and event space. Read more about this project here: Introduction: UC Davis Animal Science GATEway Garden Construction begins at the UC Davis Animal Science GATEway Garden LINK TO SLIDESHOW of photos documenting the progress of this garden.

Director Kathleen Socolofsky receives Award of Distinction

Katie Hetrick — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 19:55:18 +0000

Kathleen Socolofsky, director of the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden, was honored October 5 with an “Award of Distinction” from the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CA&ES). “The Award of Distinction recipients are highly accomplished, as well as influential in their daily lives, and we are honored by their strong connection to and support of our college,“ said Mary Delany, interim CA&ES dean. The award is presented annually to those whose contributions and achievements enhance the college’s ability to provide cutting-edge research, top-notch education, and innovative outreach. Kathleen was recognized as a Friend of the College for her role in transforming the campus landscape with innovative programs and broad-based support. Seven other people–faculty, staff, alumni, and friends of the college–also received the award. Kathleen has led the Arboretum, in partnership with a number of CA&ES programs, in the transformation of the Peter J. Shields Oak Grove into a destination for visitors and the development of Nature’s Gallery Court GATEway (Gardens, Arts, and the Environment) Garden, and is in the process of creating an Animal Science GATEway Garden designed to connect campus and Arboretum visitors with the Department of Animal Science, its research and facilities. Congratulations Kathleen!

UC Davis Magazine cover story!

Katie Hetrick — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 13:30:02 +0000

We are excited to announce that the UC Davis GATEways Project and the Arboretum & Public Garden Initiative story has been covered (literally!) by UC Davis Magazine. UC Davis Magazine is published quarterly and circulated to more than 230,000 households including alumni, faculty, parents of students, donors and other friends of campus. The Summer 2012 issue features the UC Davis Arboretum on the cover and inside describes the launch, mission and future of the UC Davis Public Garden Initiative and GATEways Project. Download a .pdf of the article here courtesy of UC Davis Magazine.

Construction Begins at the UC Davis Animal Science GATEway Garden

Katie Hetrick — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 16:14:20 +0000

In January of this year we introduced you to our partnership with the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences to create the Animal Science GATEway Garden. (Click here to review the brief introduction.) We are now happy to report that construction has begun! Take a peek at the slideshow below for a glimpse at a few of the "before" and "during" photos of this exciting project that, upon completion, will provide a welcoming and engaging experience for visitors and the campus community, in addition to highlighting the work of Animal Science researchers. View the Animal Science GATEway Garden construction slideshow. Learn more about the UC Davis Arboretum GATEways Project.

Introduction: Animal Science GATEway Garden

Katie Hetrick — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 20:22:05 +0000

Thanks to a partnership between the Arboretum and the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, the Arboretum has been collaborating with the Department of Animal Science for the past year to create a teaching landscape where the Arboretum’s Southwest U.S./Mexican Collection adjoins the Cole Facility horse barns. The project involves installation of a new path connecting the sites, improved fencing and welcoming visitor gates, a horse viewing area, an outdoor classroom with seating and study space, and a series of integrated interpretive signs that will highlight Animal Science research and programs. The focal point of the new garden will be a magnificent heritage valley oak that will shelter and shade the outdoor classroom. Funding for the installation of this garden is coming from the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences whose Animal Science programs will be highlighted. A grant the Arboretum received from the Institute of Museum and Library Sciences will complement the project by adding a new irrigation system to the Arboretum side of the site. Although ambitious, the garden plan will make efficient use of campus resources by incorporating recycled materials from UC Davis’ rich agricultural history and capitalizing on the construction expertise of Arboretum and Animal staff and the enthusiasm of students and community volunteers. To date, Animal Science staff has been working on clearing the site and getting it ready for construction, and recent UC Davis landscape architecture alum John Gainey has developed an innovative garden design. We will keep you updated on the progress of this project as it develops.

Download a .pdf of the Animal Science GATEway Garden base plan here.