The Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden at UCLA, a living museum that maintains one of America’s largest collections of tropical and sub-tropical plants, now offers docent led drop-in tours as a part of its public education program.
On the first SATURDAY of the month, trained docents will lead tours of the UCLA Mathias Garden (at the corner of Le Conte and Hilgard Avenues) from 1 pm to approximately 2:30 pm on a “drop-in†basis. This enables visitors of all ages to enjoy a guided tour without having to make advance reservations.
The guided tours will begin at 1 pm at the Nest, an outdoor classroom with semicircular bench seating, located in the northern end of the garden near the Botany Building. There is no admission charge. Parking on the UCLA campus is $10. There is also parking on the street or in lots in Westwood Village.
The seven-acre garden includes some 4,000 species of plants from regions all over the world. “Because the UCLA Mathias Garden is a living museum, and not a recreational park, visitors can learn about plants and develop a greater appreciation for the relevance of plants to society and to their lives,†said Arthur C. Gibson, professor and director of the Garden.
Tours of the UCLA Mathias Garden last approximately one hour, and are automatically canceled in the event of rain. Basic botanical concepts are introduced along with interesting historical facts and unusual characteristics of several rare specimens.
Activities within the garden are limited to those that are compatible with the quiet, natural surroundings and that do not disturb others. Visitors may eat on the grounds, but are asked to dispose of all trash when they leave. Please note the garden does not have drinking fountains or bathroom facilities. Visitors may bring their own drinking water and use the bathroom facilities in the Medical Center across the street.
The UCLA Mathias Garden can also serve as one of several stops on an extended tour of the UCLA campus. Other areas of interest at UCLA are the Murphy Sculpture Garden, the Fowler Museum of Cultural History, Armand Hammer Museum, Pauley Pavilion and Ackerman Union.
Tours for groups of 10 or more must be booked in advance. For more information on the Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden at UCLA or to schedule a tour, call (310) 206-6707 or email cfelixso@ucla.edu.
