Wildlife Demonstration Gardens
Our gardens and pond are "certified wildlife habitats"
by the National Wildlife Federation
What are the Wildlife Demonstration Gardens?
With help of the Center for Native and Urban Wildlife, SCC Environmental Club and its Advisors, the Campus was awarded an AZ Heritage Fund Grant to create a community demonstration garden and living laboratory that will use native wildlife attracting plants. The grant also provides for the creation of a pond and nest boxes for burrowing owls.
Attracting Native Wildlife with Native Plants
The purpose of the Wildlife Demonstration Gardens is to educate and demonstrate how landscaping with native plants benefits native wildlife and biodiversity, saves water, reduces the need for large amounts of pesticides and fertilizers, and is attractive. 
Where On Campus?
The largest portion of the gardens, called the Mesquite Forest or Bosque, is located just south of the Art building. The "forest" contains over 70 young trees consisting of velvet mesquite, blue paloverde, little-leaf paloverde, ironwood, desert willow, cottonwood, and sycamore. In addition, over 80 other native trees and shrubs have been added south of the Social/Behavioral Sciences Building.
Wetland Habitat
The final stage of the Wildlife Demonstration Gardens is the pond area. The pond is located in the open quad just east of the student center. It is home to a variety of dragonflies, birds and amphibians. The gardens are made possible by a Grant from AZ Game & Fish Heritage Fund.
