by Khushi Patel

Nestled in the heart of campus, UCF’s Arboretum is somehow one of the most active yet underrated parts of our community. Established in 1983, the Arboretum was created to provide a space where people can learn more about the natural wonders around us. This organization has since grown to include countless programs, events, and opportunities — all conveniently located on campus. The Arboretum strives to teach us about the value of ecosystems and biodiversity through hands-on learning experiences and community engagement.

Sights

The Arboretum also manages UCF’s nature trails, 14 miles of natural Florida scenery located across from Gemini Blvd. With 20 unique habitat types, these trails have rich variations in color and terrain, providing an escape from the monotony of day-to-day life. They offer a (literal) breath of fresh air from daily worries, and during finals season, you’ll often find students pacing along them to decompress from the chaos of exams.

For Srithanvi Pasunuri, a senior Biomedical Sciences major, this on-campus oasis is more than a scenic walk — it’s a way to improve your mental and physical health. Last spring, she planned a hiking social at the Arboretum’s nature trails for UCF’s American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA), a pre-health student organization. “I chose to host a social at the Arboretum with AMWA because I know a lot of our members sometimes get caught up in all that they have to do in their daily lives, and may not take the time to go outside and do something relaxing for themselves,” Pasunuri shared.

Members who attended the event appreciated the convenience: the close proximity of the trails allowed them to stay close to campus while still feeling “completely immersed in nature.” Finding their hiking social to be a relaxing experience, AMWA continues to promote the Arboretum to their members as “an escape from busy college life.”

During their hike, they walked along Wildflower Loop, one of the several peaceful trails that wind through the preserved grounds. With its stunning wildflowers and even terrain, it’s a great beginner trail to reconnect with nature. The Arboretum offers several guided tours, providing visitors the opportunity to explore these natural trails with the guidance of knowledgeable staff. Registered student organizations and UCF-affiliated groups can schedule these for free online. During a guided tour, you can expect to learn about the diverse plant and animal life native to our local ecosystem. Whether you are a seasoned environmentalist or someone looking to reconnect with the natural world, these trails provide the perfect introduction.

Events

Found behind the CREOL building, the entrance to the Arboretum’s main location features a lush, open area speckled with picnic benches. Fondly called Arboretum Park, this space often serves as a venue for events.

The Arboretum’s Greenhouse team frequently hosts plant sales, raising money for initiatives while sparking interest in horticultural practices. If you stop by, you can spot new plant owners proudly (and delicately) holding their purchase as they learn how to properly care for it — all while soft music plays gently in the background. These plant sales have evolved into a casual place where you can learn about unique species, support the local greenhouse program, and walk away with a new leafy companion!

Along with greenery, the Arboretum also cultivates campus culture and creativity with “Arboretum Unplugged,” a two-day event showcasing local musical talent. Every semester, this event transforms Arboretum Park into a makeshift concert venue; local artists sign up to perform, and students come out with their picnic blankets and hammocks to enjoy the live music.

Kendall Williams, a junior majoring in Business Management, has been attending “Unplugged” since her first semester at UCF. She first learned about it from The Pheromones, an Orlando-based band, and enjoys the combination of live, indie music and an outdoor venue. When asked what she likes most about the event, Williams said, “The community aspect is definitely my favorite part: It’s allowed me to meet so many cool people with similar interests, and I’ve made many lasting friendships with people I might not have met otherwise.”

The Arboretum goes beyond engaging with the community; it builds community. It encourages students to go outside, connect with people, and learn about environmental topics in a casual space — but there are also more formal ways to get involved with the Arboretum.

Programs

The UCF Arboretum plays a crucial role in advocating for a more sustainable campus, and their sustainability initiatives are responsible for the well-maintained natural lands around us. Guided by a desire to both preserve native and natural habitats and promote community engagement, the Arboretum provides ways for Knights to directly engage with our local environment. Rather than simply teaching us about the importance of ecological maintenance, the Arboretum gives us a chance to make a tangible difference by being a part of the process.

For students interested in gaining direct, hands-on experience in the behind-the-scenes of the Arboretum’s programs and initiatives, there are a dozen different internship opportunities available. Internship teams center around projects like agriculture, event management, educational outreach, content creation, stormwater system maintenance, agriculture, and more! Geared towards creating active leaders, these internships allow students to contribute in ways suited to their unique skill sets and interests.

For those with a more casual interest in the Arboretum’s mission, volunteering offers a low-stakes way to get involved. Students interested in regularly volunteering can learn more about the Arboretum’s programs while helping to shape a more sustainable campus.

Getting Involved

Mikayla Crawford, a junior Writing and Rhetoric major and Environmental Studies minor, is passionate about ecological initiatives. As an intern for IDEAS For Us, an Orlando-based organization dedicated to promoting environmental action, she recently helped plant a new on-campus pollinator garden in collaboration with the Arboretum.

Arboretum staff cleared out a garden bed in preparation for this event and guided volunteers through the process by teaching them how to safely plant new sprouts. With their assistance, Crawford and other IDEAS For Us interns planted native flora to support pollinator species like bees and butterflies. Crawford enjoyed learning about the crucial role pollinators play in maintaining the environment. Her favorite part of this project was “getting hands-on experience planting a garden that will be on campus for many years to come.”

But you don’t have to be part of a larger organization to get involved! There are also weekly volunteering opportunities that individual students can sign up for, like the Arboretum’s organic community garden. The community garden is a volunteer-cultivated initiative open to both the UCF and broader Orlando community, and a majority of the garden’s produce is donated to UCF’s Knights Helping Knights Pantry. Other volunteering opportunities include helping to maintain various public gardens and campus landscapes.

It is really rewarding to know how many opportunities there are to be involved environmentally just a few steps away from class.

With its environmental, educational, and recreational initiatives, the Arboretum is quite possibly the most  engaging hidden gem on campus. Though the scenery is gorgeous, UCF’s Arboretum is more than a collection of trails. It’s a space where we can tap into the world around us, reconnecting with nature and community.