This October 22, 2026 feature from the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden looks back on its Summer Landscape Assistant program, in which 13 students spent the summer mulching, weeding, and power washing buildings across campus while photographing their work. They worked alongside staff from Grounds and Landscape Services and Building Maintenance Services and learned from longtime volunteer gardeners. They also took part in weekly leadership trainings through the Learning by Leading™ program. Along the way, students gained practical skills, a broader view of how the campus operates, and ideas about possible career paths, all while helping make UC Davis a more beautiful and welcoming place.
At 90, the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden advances climate-ready landscapes, student leadership and community well-being through innovative programs.
At 90, the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden advances climate-ready landscapes, student leadership and community well-being through innovative programs.
A transformational $3.7 million gift from Cate McGuire and her husband Michael Smith honors her memory while establshing support for the Arboretum and Public Garden's Learning by Leading™ program. As the largest gift in the organization's 90-year history, the donation represents a powerful investment in the next generation of environmental leaders.
