Taking a tour of the Cornell Botanic Gardens was an enlightening experience. As we strolled through, Professor Davis provided interesting facts and insight that I had not known on my previous trips to the Gardens. I learned about its history and evolution through the years which was fascinating to envision. It was a reminder to appreciate the beauty of nature.

Arriving in the Botanic Gardens and learning that the plants are arranged in such a strategic manner was amazing because I never thought about how much planning, work, and money was needed to maintain the Gardens. There was definitely a lot of attention to detail which manifested through the overall lovely landscape. My favorite thing that I learned was the fact that the Nevin Welcome Center was designed and built with the intent of blending into the landscape and accenting it as opposed to having an obstructive presence. Its green-top ceiling added to this effect. I also appreciated that the Nevin Welcome Center uses solar power to heat its water. In addition, it has built-in blinds on the outside that are meant to let in sun, especially in the winter, to provide a more immersive experience for visitors inside the center. I very much enjoyed seeing how the engineering behind the Center contributed to the experience of enjoying nature at the Botanic Gardens.