Many succulents are well adapted to low-water landscapes because their thickened leaves store water, providing them the ability to survive dry, hot climates. Softer leaved succulents like Echeveria prefer shade in our region while the larger, cold-hardy Agave and Aloe species do well in full sun.

This Sunday, show your love for the environment and that special friend or relative, with an eco-friendly gift perfect for a green Valentine’s Day! Join UC Davis Arboretum Ambassadors, in partnership with the Aggie Reuse Store, to design do-it-yourself gifts from one-time waste.

People of all ages are invited  to “Get Down with Upcycling,” a free, open-to-the-public event this Sunday, January 22 from 1-3 p.m. at Wyatt Deck in the Arboretum or, in the event of rain, in nearby studio classroom 146 Environmental Horticulture.

On Monday, January 9, 2017, students in the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden’s Learning by Leading Edible Landscaping Internship picked fruits and vegetables grown in the UC Davis Good Life Garden, but this was not just any run-of-the-mill harvest. It was the first time produce grown here could be donated to The Pantry – a student-run organization that works to ensure no student ever has to miss a meal or go without necessities for financial reasons.

The courtyard of the Robert Mondavi Institute for Wine and Food Science, home to the UC Davis Good Life Garden since 2008, quickly became a popular venue for weddings and high-profile university events thanks to the gorgeous, well-maintained, ever-changing edible landscape. Recently however, a nearby construction project necessitated the removal of many of the edible demonstration planting beds. As a result, we are taking this time to re-imagine the garden, how it can more fully integrate student education, academic partnerships and community engagement.

Would you like to spend more time outdoors? Would you like to learn more about the environment? Are you looking for a way to fulfill a New Year’s resolution to give back to the community? Consider volunteering with the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden! It’s a rewarding place to spend your time while learning new skills and meeting new people.

Our community of students, faculty and staff are renovating the Hunt Hall Courtyard to reflect its new role as a living laboratory for landscape architecture students and a GATEway Garden for campus. The new design will include a small, grassy gathering area, a pathway, and, most importantly, each fall different plots will feature student-created projects, designed and built with faculty guidance, that highlight innovative materials, regionally-appropriate plants, and a variety of environmentally-friendly building techniques.