For Earth Day 2024, our chapter led the efforts to rejuvenate an underutilized section of raised garden beds into a native wildflower garden, dubbed the "Bird Beds". Our garden promotes local biodiversity and serves as an educational/gathering area where students of all backgrounds can be introduced to avian conservation. Our garden will also serve as a living classroom, where we plan to feature educational signage that highlights the crucial role of biodiversity in urban ecosystems.
This garden was created with support and collaboration from Garden for Wildlife from the National Wildlife Federation, who contributed 300 native wildflower donations. We also couldn't have accomplished this without the help from the UMD Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, UMD Community Learning Garden, 17 for Peace and Justice, UMD Wildlife Society, and our incredible volunteers.
Interested in helping maintain our garden? Want to plant new flowers in the future? Skilled in graphic design? Email us at audubonstudents@gmail.com! We are always looking for new students to assist with our campus garden project!
Our garden is located in the raised beds in front of the School of Public Health Building. We are directly beside the UMD Community Learning Garden. If you see us working on the garden, come say hello!
Want to volunteer at the Bird Beds? We need your help to take care of our native wildflower garden!
Everyone is welcome to stop by any time between 3pm-5pm on Mondays during the semester. During this time period, you will meet our Garden Maintenance Supervisor in front of the Raised Garden Beds at the School of Public Health.
Volunteers are needed to weed, water, and mulch the garden! Occasionally, we may plant more flowers or install signage. We greatly appreciate help from the community to make sure our garden stays bird friendly year-round!
No experience or materials are required! We have tools and gloves at the garden.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at audubonstudents@gmail.com.
Area before planting
Preparation Day 2024
Planting Day 2024 (Photos: Sydney Walsh/Audubon)
Garden today (Updated 2-18-2025)