Wednesday, May 18, 11:00 - noon (Rain Date May 19). OUTING: American University Campus: Spring Garden Tour with Sharon Metcalf.
Meet at 10:45 by the flower circle near the front entrance of the School of International Service. Walking tour begins at 11 am, and ends at noon. Followed by a optional brown bag lunch in the shaded Sylvan amphitheater, where Sharon and members of the ground staff will lead a 30-minute Q & A.
Join us for this customized eco-tour in the campus quad for an hour’s walk, followed by a brown bag lunch and discussion in the open-air amphitheater shaded among canopy trees. During the past decade, AU has transformed its campus into an award-winning arboretum and garden oasis. Now ranked #4 among most beautiful US urban campuses. The 84-acre grounds include over 4,000 trees and 385 different species of plants and shrubs. Meandering through the public gardens and pocket parks visitors will find unique spaces to pause for contemplation among the flowering trees, ornamental grasses, and seasonal plantings. As part of its ‘American Dream is Green’ campaign, AU has set out to become a carbon net zero campus and is well on the way to achieving that goal by shifting energy production to clean, renewable wind power, installing solar photovoltaic panels on new LEED buildings and laying permeable pavers along campus walkways to capture water runoff. Sharon Metcalf, former AU Director of Strategic Partnerships, will lead a special LFV walking tour in May when the gardens will be in full bloom and the campus relatively quiet following commencement. Since her retirement, Sharon has continued to stay involved in university activities and helps to oversee AU’s honey-producing beehives on the green roof of the student union. Wear comfortable clothes and walking shoes so you can enjoy wandering through the various garden spots. On-campus parking is available in the SIS (School of International Service) building underground garage. Enter the garage at the intersection of Nebraska & New Mexico Avenues. Pay immediately after parking by inputting your license plate # in the parking machines located in the elevator lobbies of SIS garage. $2.00 per hour; cash or credit card.