Learning by Leading

Learning by Leading

We believe that students learn best by leading. In this innovative environmental restoration and education program, leadership skills and real-world experience combine to help our students address the earth’s most important environmental issues. The Learning by Leading™ internship program offers quarter-long and school year-long internships in which students work in a team to solve real-world problems in the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden. 

A picture of Kendal Hicks.

Learning by Leading™ Alumni Profile: Kendal Hicks

Kendal Hicks joined the Learning by Leading™ program in 2017 and served as the co-coordinator of the new Waterway Stewardship Internship. Along with her mentor, Nina Suzuki, and fellow co-coordinator Tiffani To, Kendal developed the internship from scratch, creating curriculum, hiring interns and naming the internship!
Program co-coordinators Chris Huang and Cameron Long take a break from planting a new plant to pose for a photo, kneeling with the landscape in the background.

Sustainable Horticulture interns shape campus

  • by Scout Mata
From outside Bainer Hall to the Social Sciences Building (aka Death Star) courtyard, the Arboretum and Public Garden’s Learning by Leading™ Sustainable Horticulture interns have been hard at work weeding, mulching, pruning, deadheading and adding new plants in landscapes all over campus throughout fall quarter. As part of this internship students leave lasting changes as they shape campus by creating and maintaining sustainable landscapes.
Image of members of the SmartLawn team installing turf at the UC Davis WCAE.

New Turf for SmartLawn Team

  • by Indigo Wang
The Learning by Leading™ SmartLawn team, together with CCUH, is helping aid drought and water conservation efforts by testing different types of turf and irrigation methods to determine which combination is most efficient for California homeowners. Their test plots can be seen around the Western Center for Agricultural Equipment. 
Image of two student interns from the Learning by Leading Waterway Stewardship team planting a wild grape cuttings to prevent erosion and create a wildlife habitat along the Arboretum Waterway.

Wild Grapes in the West-end

  • by Indigo Wang
Grape work! The barren banks on the west-end of the Arboretum Waterway are now home to wild grape cuttings, thanks to the Waterway Stewardship team.

Kick off the New Year in an Eco-Friendly, Colorful Way

The UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden’s student-led Arboretum Ambassador team invite families, students, community members of all ages to their second natural tie-dye workshop Saturday, January 19, from 1:00-3:00 p.m. The event is free, all you need to bring is white items you wish to tie-dye, such as t-shirts, socks, shorts, pillow-cases, etc.
Image of Arboretum Ambassador co-coordinator Amber Medina.

Annual Appeal supports Learning by Leading program

Support from Friends members and other community and foundation partners is what keeps the Learning by Leading™ program growing. Consider making a gift during the Friends of the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden Annual Appeal. Your gift will help us expand the Learning by Leading™ internship to impact more students next year. 
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