"The University of Arizona Campus Arboretum:
Building a Botanical and Human Community"
Presented by Tanya Quist
Director of the University of Arizona Campus Arboretum
The University of Arizona has been responding to the needs of Arizona since 1891. Over its more than 120 year history, UA faculty have pioneered and applied innovative approaches that have solved a wide range of state challenges. In agriculture, the UA has played a significant role in testing and introducing arid-adapted crop and ornamental plants on the campus grounds that now serve as a palette for southwest landscapes that are hot, sunny, dry, alkaline, cold, and salty! As a result of this work, the campus landscape has integrated lessons in desert horticulture that benefit our students, the greater Tucson community, and global audience through our online resources. Today’s talk will provide examples of ways the Campus Arboretum continues to build plant communities and engage students and the community in plant sciences through research, education and outreach.
Tanya Quist earned an undergraduate degree in horticulture science and advanced degrees in both horticulture and plant physiology where she studied the physiological and genetic regulation of plant stress response. This background informs her work in instruction as an Associate Professor of Practice in the School of Plant Sciences where she teaches plant propagation, plant biology, plant physiology and introduction to urban horticulture. In her role as Director of the University of Arizona Campus Arboretum, Tanya provides campus leadership encouraging the application of science in landscape practices, engages students in service-learning, and creates opportunities to integrate plant education into campus landscapes and programs. The central theme of her work promotes arid-adapted trees as foundational to all ecosystems, as they support human health and environmental regulation.
If you have been fully vaccinated for Covid-19 you are welcome to come and join us for this excellent in person presentation (masks will be highly encouraged but not required). This meeting will also be a Zoom program and will be an important educational and informational event you must see. Also, if using Zoom, be sure to log in to win a $25.00 gift certificate from TCSS or choose a copy of the new 3rd edition of the Field Guide to Cacti & Other Succulents of Arizona. Plant give aways will take place at the in person meeting but that portion of the program, because of the recording, will not appear on Zoom. When leaving the live in person meeting, please enjoy excellent refreshments provided by our member volunteers and also, everyone can get a free plant offered to you by the TCSS.