Consider a gift to support Learning by Leading™ and our newest program strand, Urban Tree Stewardship, created to ensure that UC Davis has a thriving, resilient urban forest for decades to come — even as our climate warms. 

In this work, the Arboretum and Public Garden serves as the outdoor laboratory for the program's two co-coordinators Iris Garcia ’21 and Annika Peterson ’21. Together they will lead a team of fellow students to develop and implement a project to test, grow and establish a new generation of climate-ready trees on campus. “It is critical that we stay a step ahead of climate change,” said Iris. “The intention is to create a palette of trees that can thrive in Davis’ future climate, which is predicted to resemble that of the Southwest.” For this reason, many of the team’s test trees, which include oaks, redbuds and maples, are from seeds collected in Texas.

The instruction, advice, encouragement and investment in my learning by Arboretum and Public Garden staff mentors in the Learning by Leading™ program helps me prepare for the full range of career opportunities open to me.

— Annika Peterson '21

As they develop technical skills in propagation, species monitoring and identification, young tree care and more, Iris and Annika are gaining leadership and management experience that will serve them well in their future careers. The Learning by Leading™ program plays a key role in developing the environmental stewards of tomorrow. Due to these challenging times, your support is needed now more than ever.

Please give to the Arboretum and Public Garden Annual Fund to strengthen this valuable legacy.

Donate now!

P.S. We’ll also direct 10% of each gift into our permanent Friends Endowment Fund to support Learning by Leading™ and other education programs in perpetuity.