Description: The Botanical Garden remains one of Michigan State Universities' most attractive and peaceful sites. There are multiple sitting areas, grass space to lay blankets out, a walking path around the garden, a small reflection pond, and identification plaques for each species of plant and flower in the garden.

History: The W.J. Beal Botanical Garden was founded in 1873 and is the oldest continuously operating botanical garden in the United States. The garden was brought to life to serve as a “living outdoor laboratory”. In the 1800s, learning was focused more on books and classroom learning, but the idea of hands-on, place-based learning was beginning to show up in classrooms. Professor W.J. Beal believed in utilizing outside-the-classroom learning to help university students become better learners by placing them in an environment that focuses on specific information and class material. Placing students in the location of active study creates different and stronger connections, allowing for a better learning experience.

Activities: The activity is simple, take photos of the garden or maybe your favorite plant and place them into an album. Throughout the year take pictures of the same plants or area. Many new Michigan State University students will encounter the W.J. Beal Botanical Garden either through walks on campus or maybe even a class field trip. As the garden moves through the seasons, it goes through extreme change. In the spring the plants and flowers begin to sprout again, in the fall they are lush and full-grown, and in winter they seem to disappear. At the end of the year, you will have a collage of the plant's growth and life cycle!

Address: W Circle Dr, East Lansing, MI 48824

• Transportation: Walking

Cost: Free

Twitter: @MSUBealGarden

Description: The CL Lewis Landscape Arboretum is a hidden gem on the MSU campus. It is comprised of a variety of informal gardens, formal gardens, permanent collections, specialty plant collections, and horticulture displays. It is the perfect place to go for a walk with friends or family. It is open from dusk until dawn year-round.

History: The CL Lewis Landscape Arboretum has been around since 1984. It is intended to be an instructional arboretum for students interested in landscape development. The space was originally used as a campus nursery.

Activities: Walk around and look at all the different gardens, reflect on the differences between the gardens, bring a blanket, and have a picnic, or meditate.

• Scavenger hunt: can you find all the different gardens and collections?

Address: Located on the south campus of MSU, the entrance to the arboretum is on the northwest corner of Bogue Street and Service Road. It is located near the Children's Garden.

• Transportation: bike, walk, CATA 32 is the closest bus stop with a 10-minute walk after, and there is a paid parking lot if you drive

Cost: Free

For more info: https://www.canr.msu.edu/hrt/our_gardens/Visit/arboretum

Description: This secret, hidden garden on campus provides a calming space for all. The gardens feature ponds, waterfalls, vine-covered pergolas, and a greenhouse. It is visited daily by a variety of visitors such as students who look for a place to unwind, employees to destress, and patients to wait for their results.

History: The Radiology Healing Gardens were established in 2000 to help meet the wellness needs of our community. Dr. E.J. Potchen conceived the gardens to provide a quiet space for the benefit of those who need it, such as patients, staff, students, and caregivers. An MSU Landscape Architect designed the gardens, and a Radiology staff horticulturist is currently maintaining them.

Activities:

• Explore the gardens

• The Garden Shop - shop for their unique garden treasures

Address: 846 Service Rd, East Lansing, MI 48824

• Transportation: Foot or Bike

Cost: Free

Description: The Michigan State University Dairy Cattle Teaching & Research Center is home to approximately 200 Holstein cows ranging from 2-12 years of age. Research projects take place in areas of nutrition, mammary and reproductive physiology, animal breeding and selection, and dairy management.

History: Dairy manufacturing has been a long-time tradition at MSU with the first cow being brought to campus in 1894 and the first Dairy course being offered in 1895. Research has always been an important factor of the dairy curriculum beginning in 1896 with Dr. Charles Marshall conducting research on the bacteriology of milk followed later by Malcolm Trout discovering how to homogenize milk by linking it to the process of pasteurization. Today, the MSU Dairy Farm works closely with the Michigan Dairy Youth Program and 4H and engages with the public and dairy educators across the state.

Activities: The Dairy Farm is open to the public during daylight hours where you are welcome to take a self-guided tour to visit any animals outside or through open doors.

Address: 4075 N College Road, East Lansing, MI 48910

• Transportation: The best way to get here is via car, as there is no bus route nearby.

Cost: Free

Contact: 616-262-0551

For more info: www.canr.msu.edu/scaf/dairy_teaching_research_center

Description: Fenner Nature Center is a 134-acre green space that has over four miles of trails. In their visitor center, you can find live animals and interactive educational tools. The park is open from 8 a.m. to dusk.

History: The land was once owned by J.M Turner and used for raising cattle, sheep, and horses. He then built a home on the property and planted thousands of trees. In 1952 it was approved for purchase to eventually become a park. By 1958, the park department crew had built trails, fences, a picnic shelter, and a parking area. The park was named after Carl G. Fenner, the Parks Department superintendent.

Activities: Go to their annual Apple Butter Fest in the fall (free) or their Maple Syrup Festival in the spring ($20)

Address: 2020 E Mt Hope Ave, Lansing, MI 48910

• Transportation: The CATA 7 bus stop is a 10-minute walk away from Fenner. It is also accessible by bike or car if you have one.

Cost: Free

Contact: info@mynaturecenter.org or call 517-483-4224

For more info: https://mynaturecenter.org/

Instagram: @fennernature

Description: The SOF is a 15-acre, year-round organic farm that is run by MSU students. With its 7 hoop houses, the farm is in production year-round. They grow a large variety of vegetables for the community. Some of the food is even used in the MSU dining halls. The SOF is currently transitioning to an education-based model and hopes to see more students on the farm. Take some friends here to volunteer for a day and learn about our food systems. If you are lucky, you might see the farm cat, Trout! Ask about student crew part-time and full-time positions if you are interested in working there.

History: The SOF was started in 1999 by MSU students who wanted to learn how to grow food sustainably. They were seeking hands-on experience with organic agriculture to use the knowledge they gained from their classes in the real world. With the help of MSU faculty John Biernbaum, Laurie Thorp, and Susan Smalley they were approved for a grant, began building greenhouses for year-round production, and used a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) model to sell produce. The SOF was the first farm with a year-round CSA in Michigan. They also began an Organic Farmer Training program as a more formal way to educate people about organic farming.

Activities: Explore the edible forest garden and try the raspberries and pears, volunteer - they are always looking for help, or tour the farm.

Address: 3291 College Rd, Holt, MI 48842 - about 10 minutes south of campus

• Transportation: No bus routes, we recommend you travel by car if that is an option

Cost: Free

Contact: msufarm@msu.edu

For more info: https://www.canr.msu.edu/sof/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/msu_studentorganicfarm/?hl=en