Nature at the University of Arizona
By: Christine Ho
Introduction
As a student of the University of Arizona, I choose to attend this school for many reasons. The academics, the Greek life, the spirit, and the endless amounts of opportunities. Not only were these factors a great contribution to my decision, but the amount of nature on campus made me fall in love with the University. I felt extremely inspired to share with current or future students the beauty presented at the U of A. When walking to class, going to chapter, or studying for finals, you will always be surrounded by the amazing environment. I hope to be able to represent all of the university’s natural aspects and share how unique the campus is as it incorporates nature into an educational setting.
The Campus
When I first toured the University of Arizona, the greenery of the campus instantly caught my attention. The campus was extremely aestheically pleasing as I was able to notice the unique architecture of the buildings and the gorgeous plants that surrounded them. Furthermore, the University of Arizona was even named one of the most beautiful campus’ according to Travel and Leisure from a Travel Guide Magazine.
https://zonazealots.com/2017/03/30/university-of-arizona-named-most-beautiful-campus-over-asu/
Specifically, the long strip of grass that was presented in the middle of the school. I later found that this was called, “The Mall.” No, not a building with a collective of department retail stores. The Mall is ac 222,310 square feet of grass behind the first original building, “Old Main,” located at the entrance of the university. I would consider this the center and heart of the university as buildings crowd around the large patch of grass. During school hours, you may find students studying on the grass, having picnics, career fairs, greek life tents, live music, peaceful protests, and my personal favorite, occasional petting zoos. Although it may just seem like a large area of grass, it creates a peaceful and home-like feeling to our campus where everyone is welcome.
Along with The Mall being such a main attraction, there is nature spread throughout our campus. The University of Arizona incorporates many natural factors such as beautiful plants, a variety of trees, and many grass spots that make amazing study spots. “Walking across the University of Arizona campus on a hot Tucson day, there may be no better respite than the shade of a welcoming tree. Yet, shelter from the desert sun isn’t the only benefit provided by the nearly 8,000 trees on the main campus. A resent assessment shows the University’s trees also have a significant environmental and financial impact on campus,” as mentioned in a recent University of Arizona News Article by Alexis Blue from University Communications (Blue 2012). Blue even goes into acknowledging that the university is the largest maintained public green space in Arizona, it includes thousands of trees from arid regions all over the world. Providing so much greenery to the campus adds so much life to the school environment where students are able to connect to nature in their daily lives.
Additional to the greenery setting of the University of Arizona, the Campus Arboretum houses a collection of different plants year around. It is home to hundreds of native and arid trees and shrubs. The trees are a representations of the University’s dedication to the cultural evolution of the modern southwest and the sustainability of the dessert horticulture. The Joseph Wood Krutch Garden is a cactus display garden created by Dr. James Tourney, a botanist for the Agricultural Experiment Station on Campus. Tourney wanted to “recognize the value of the aesthetically unique vegetation that thrives here in the Sonoran Desert” and he wanted to “reflect current and evolving understandings of and attitudes toward landscaping and the natural environment” (Campus Arboretum). Not only was the garden a great way to showcase the nature of the university, it is also a symbolic in continuing connection with the University’s history and heritage of the Desert.
Results
Now, you may be wondering why the nature of the University of Arizona holds any significance. Being surrounded by a natural environment has many benefits to it, especially for college students who may live on campus like myself. I even find that I greatly appreciate the nature on campus more and more everyday.
Nature has been found to help students in many ways, specifically at the University of Arizona. I did an interview on one of my peers named Sophia Delatorre, a freshman with a major in nursing, who states “being surrounded by the palm trees when I go to class makes me feel at peace and distresses me from school” (Delatorre 2023). Nature is a huge stress reliever and can help improve one’s mood. This is especially important for students who are often under a lot of stress, whether it be from exams, projects, or extracurricular activities. Spending time in nature can help students feel more at ease, which can ultimately help them be more productive and successful. Another student who is a business major at the University of Arizona, Kellen Hubbel acknowledges “I love spending time outside with my friends and my fraternity brothers. My favorite thing about campus is that there are so many places outside to socialize or study” (Hubbel 2023). In addition to helping students feel more relaxed, being around nature can also be a good way to take a break, exercise, socialize, and observe. I believe that the University of Arizona provides this aspect of nature to help their students’ overall wellness and mental health. When students find a way to appreciate nature, they are able to get a deeper understanding of their place in the world and our impact on the environment. In addition, the UofA provides many outdoor programs ad clubs that allow students to connect with others and the world around them. The incorporation of nature around campus brings light into school and can enable students to experience ‘green’ educational settings.
With that being said, the University of Arizona provides so many aspects of nature that allows students to find an appreciation for the environment. As Wildcats, we are able to stroll through class with views of stunning flowers and flowing palm trees in sight wherever we go. The nature around campus creates a positive and welcoming environment that help students experience a sense of awe as soon as they step foot on the university!
Blue, Alexis. “Ua Campus Arboretum: Rooted in the Past, Growing toward the Future.” University of Arizona News, 29 Oct. 2012, https://news.arizona.edu/story/ua-campus-arboretum-rooted-in-the-past-growing-toward-the-future.
“Cru at University of Arizona.” Cru at University of Arizona -, 3 Mar. 2023, https://www.cru.org/communities/campus/us/uofarizona/.
Delatorre, Sophia. Student at The University of Arizona
Dianne Vella-Brodrick and Krystyna Gilowska, University of Melbourne. “Nurturing Nature in Schools for Enhanced Learning.” Pursuit, The University of Melbourne, 2 May 2022, https://pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/articles/nurturing-nature-in-schools-for-enhanced-learning.
“Exploring the University of Arizona — College Weekends.” College Weekends, 12 June 2020, https://collegeweekends.com/exploring-the-university-of-arizona/.
Ho, Christine. Student at The University of Arizona, image
Hubbel, Kellen. Student at The University of Arizona
“‘Inspired by Plants: The Art and Science of the Campus Arboretum Florilegium’.” University of Arizona News, 9 Feb. 2023, https://news.arizona.edu/calendar/132603-inspired-plants-art-and-science-campus.
Staff, 13 News. “University of Arizona to Permanently Close Confucius Institute, Citing New Federal Policies.” Https://Www.kold.com, 27 Feb. 2020, https://www.kold.com/2020/02/27/university-arizona-permanently-close-confucius-institute-citing-new-federal-policies/.
Star, Tom BealArizona Daily. “Time to Stop and Scan the Flowers on University of Arizona Campus.” Arizona Daily Star, 27 Apr. 2017, https://tucson.com/news/science/time-to-stop-and-scan-the-flowers-on-university-of-arizona-campus/article_cb63aa53-4ddd-5921-a7ee-6e2595965422.html.
Townsend, Eric. “University of Arizona Named Most Beautiful Campus over ASU and Others.” Zona Zealots, FanSided, 30 Mar. 2017, https://zonazealots.com/2017/03/30/university-of-arizona-named-most-beautiful-campus-over-asu/.
University of Arizona. “Campus Arboretun.” Campus Arboretum, University of Arizona, https://arboretum.arizona.edu/mission.
Williams, Florence. (2017). The Nature Fix: Why Nature Makes Us Happier, Healthier, and More Creative. New York: Norton.