Nature's Classroom

Faculty members from across the disciplines use the "green classrooms" of the UC Davis Arboretum to teach in creative and engaging ways that provide students with real-world applications to their scholarship.

Over 100 courses utilize the Arboretum’s gardens and scientific collections each year. The Arboretum is uniquely equipped to serve as an academic resource, akin to a campus museum or library. Arboretum staff support faculty and students in planning curricula, providing specimens and documents for research, lecturing and giving garden-based tours, and showcasing student projects and faculty research to garden visitors through the UC Davis Arboretum GATEways Project. Many student projects have informed the development of the Arboretum, produced new exhibits, and promoted innovative technologies and digital media.

If you have questions about how the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden can support your instruction, or to share how you have used the Arboretum in teaching, a course assignment, or an independent project, please email us at arboretum@ucdavis.edu. For more information about conducting research at the Arboretum and Public Garden, please email arboretumresearch@ucdavis.edu.