A closer look at heritage gardens

Christian Alfaro, a senior in gender and women’s studies, adds a butterfly plant to the UIC Heritage Garden site between Lecture Centers C and D. Photo: Roberta Dupuis-Devlin/UIC Photo Services (click on image for larger file size)

As students scurry to class, some may be curious about the colorful new gardens around campus.

The gardens sprouted with help from the UIC Heritage Garden Student Task Force in several spots in the Lecture Center Plaza, outside the Latino Cultural Center and outside the African American Cultural Center.

“We want students to have a connection with the university and the education it provides us and also the nature that surrounds us,” said Eduardo Muñoz, student leader for the project and a senior in the College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs.

The gardens will shine during a kick-off event from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday. See the complete schedule online.

The event includes guided tours, vegan cooking demonstrations, Mazehual dancers and more.

The Latino Cultural Center, in Lecture Center B2, will host storytelling, recipe sharing, salsa tasting and a photographic journey of the making of the gardens.

Outside Taft Hall, the Asian American Resource and Cultural Center will hand out free butterfly-shaped seed paper so others can start their own gardens.

To promote harmony, balance and spirituality, the Kalpuli Nahualli Dance Group will share its traditions in the Lecture Center Plaza. The day of events wraps up with poetry slam performances centered on youth empowerment and social justice.