A look into the people and experiences that shape one of campus’ most beautiful spots
By NOAH HARRIS — features@theaggie.org
With vast amounts of green and blue colors, the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden’s array of wildlife and plants have turned it into one of Davis’ most popular places to visit. Traditionally green with a river flowing through its center, the Arboretum has looked a bit different during the last few months. Running along the southern end of the UC Davis campus, the Arboretum is in a state of change that is set to conclude soon — as those involved have shared, the finished product will be much different than before.
The Arboretum is a 100-acre public garden that hosts thousands of species of plants, trees and shrubs. They have at least 31 species of mammals, 45 species of butterflies and 135 species of birds have been found partaking in what the Arboretum has to offer, according to their website.
On March 25 of this year, a press release was put out to announce that the Waterway Enhancement Project had officially launched its second stage. Its first stage took place from 2016 to 2018, having focused on increasing water flow and native vegetation.
The Enhancement Project was given a $5.4 million grant from the state and received $2.5 million from UC Davis, making it the largest grant that the UC Davis Arboretum has been given to date.
So far, construction has focused primarily on removing concrete banks and sediment buildup, giving the river a more natural look. Underground piping work for the river supply is also finished, which helps the river run more smoothly, even during dry years. Over the last few months, there have also been fences and orange safety barriers put into place around the Arboretum.
Emily Evans, a fourth-year environmental science management major, said that animals will also be given their own slice of luxury on the western part of the Arboretum.
“Islands have been created at the west end, which will be planted with marsh plants to mimic a natural wetland habitat,” Evans said.
Evans further explained the details of and her excitement for the island feature.
“The construction crew essentially created islands from scratch, and now, seeing the water slowly fill back in, it’s nothing short of inspiring,” Evans said. “I can’t wait to continue transforming the space and watch it come back to life with new plantings along the banks.”
Katie Hetrick, the assistant director of communications in Finance, Operations and Administration (FOA), shared that the project has been designed to last a long time.
“The enhancements are designed to be resilient for decades, with regular maintenance and adaptive management ensuring the waterway remains functional and healthy,” Hetrick said.
Evans also emphasized that the Arboretum renovations are an ongoing project.
“Personally, I prefer to think that the enhancement of the waterway is an ongoing effort that will never truly end as we continue to make improvements to the system,” Evans said.
If this seems fast for such a massive effort, it is — at least, according to their expectations going into the project.
“The construction phase of the project is expected to be completed in early 2025 when the recirculating pump installation will be complete,” Hetrick said. “Final touches, including planting and habitat establishment, will extend into 2025 and potentially longer.”
Their time frame is progressing far, around one year ahead of schedule.
Susan Collopy, the project manager for UC Davis Design and Construction Management, explained why the project was so quick compared to their initial thoughts.
“The project timeline included the potential for delays as the result of a variety of environmental impacts that we did not experience,” Collopy said. “In addition, the contractor identified an alternate method to install the recirculating pipe that saved a lot of time.”
Andrew Fulks, the assistant director of the Arboretum, shared that the turnaround time was one of the most unique parts of the undertaking.
“I have been involved in a number of campus construction projects,” Fulks said. “The most interesting thing about this one was how uneventful it was. Everything went smoothly and nothing out of the ordinary occurred.”
Tabitha Mitchell, a fourth-year animal science major, shared her thoughts on the Arboretum. She is one of many students who utilizes the space to her advantage throughout the school year at Davis.
“It’s a really tranquil, serene space,” Mitchell said. “I love to exercise there, and it’s a really nice place to just connect with nature and have some high-quality alone time. Right now, I enjoy it less because there’s a lot of construction and not as much wildlife. So it seems more like a project rather than a place for us to enjoy ourselves.”
Evans shared her thoughts on the Arboretum during construction, stating that she has loved the entire experience and the opportunity that the project presented her with.
“The most fascinating part of the enhancement process has been witnessing the waterway at various stages of construction,” Evans said. “It’s rare to have the opportunity to directly contribute to something that benefits both the environment and the community in such a tangible way.”
During this time, many people have and continue to contribute to the project.
“An average day for workers might include tasks like grading soil, installing erosion-control measures, planting native vegetation or adjusting the waterway to improve flow,” Hetrick said. “Workers also monitor sediment levels, remove invasive species and maintain pathways or structures.”
Mitchell, who revealed she would love to see a butterfly sanctuary in the Arboretum, expressed gratitude for the time she has spent in the space.
“I’m happy that that’s happening because it’s going to make it look better in the long run, and I’ve already spent quality time at the Arboretum,” Mitchell said. “I just really hope that they get it looking the way they want it to within the next three or four years, because I want the freshmen to get a chance to experience it with a thriving ecosystem.”
The hope for Evans, Hetrick and Mitchell is that the Arboretum will be back to its normal thriving self soon — though with some noticeable improvements — both in its beauty and functionality.
Written by: Noah Harris — features@theaggie.org
