Student Leadership

The UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden Learning by Leading Sustainable Horticulture Student Interns convert lawns to sustainable landscapes.

Apply to the Arboretum and Public Garden's Learning by Leading Program for leadership roles and hands-on experience in campus gardens!

“Learning by Leading” Habitat Restoration and Naturalized Lands Management interns have completed a multitude of projects across campus focused on the provision of native wildlife habitat and the improvement of our campus stormwater quality.

Taylor Lewis, nursery manager, had a vision for how to create a unique tree irrigation system that would suit the conditions at the Arboretum Teaching Nursery, then worked with his student staff and interns to create it.

UC Davis Arboretum Teaching Nursery Manager Taylor Lewis leads a motivated group of nursery propagation interns who are excited to apply the concepts they learn in class to the soil around them. Each student is responsible for an area in the nursery; they are given the opportunity to experiment with different care and maintenance techniques, and then, evaluate what works and what doesn’t. According to his students, the internship provides them with valuable experience that they don’t get in a classroom.

Volunteer and join Learning by Leading students in harvesting produce from a student-planted field. This produce will then be donated to a local food bank.

To kick off the New Year, our student-led Arboretum Ambassador team has organized a fantastic event where participants of all ages are invited to explore the cultural and natural world of Asia.

Climbing the Ginkgo Tree
Date and Time: Sunday, January 31, 1-3 p.m.
Location: Wyatt Deck, UC Davis Arboretum
Rain location: 146 Environmental Horticulture

Cagwin & Dorward Landscape Contractors, a comprehensive landscape maintenance provider with a focus on environmental sustainability, has become the first corporate sponsor of the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden’s Learning by Leading Program.

The Learning by Leading program allows student leaders to make lasting impacts in areas such as water conservation, food security, environmental education, and habitat restoration. Support this program by making a gift to our Annual Appeal!

THE FRIENDS OF THE UC DAVIS ARBORETUM AND PUBLIC GARDEN SUPPORT GROUP is an incredible partner in growing the Arboretum and Public Garden. In addition to providing volunteer service and hosting the plant sales, the Friends group also raises funds from the community to invest in the Arboretum and Public Garden’s programs, gardens and people.