A Living Lab: Biology Department’s Native Plant Garden in full bloom

The new Korfhage Native Plant Garden on UofL’s Belknap Campus serves a multitude of purposes – and species. The project, began by Prof. Margaret Carreiro and Department Chair Ron Fell in 2015 and honoring biology alumna Harriet A. Korfhage, serves as a living lab for students and provides an experience of the natural world not often on display in our urban environment.
A Living Lab: Biology Department’s Native Plant Garden in full bloom

The new Korfhage Native Plant Garden on UofL’s Belknap Campus serves a multitude of purposes – and species. The project, began by Prof. Margaret Carreiro and Department Chair Ron Fell in 2015 and honoring biology alumna Harriet A. Korfhage, serves as a living lab for students and provides an experience of the natural world not often on display in our urban environment.

This natural feature on campus is not only a haven for beneficial insects, it also provides a quiet respite for human visitors as well. Lamenting the fact that fewer and fewer Biology students, most of whom now live in cities, have the opportunity to experience our natural world first-hand, Carreiro and Fell conceived of a native plant garden as a way to offer a daily and convenient opportunity to glimpse the beauty of our natural world as it changes over the years and the seasons. And the garden is not only a learning experience for students, the garden also establishes a much needed habitat for insect pollinators crucial to our ecosystem.

The initial stage of the project was completed in collaboration with the UofL campus Horticultural Groundskeepers, supervised by Superintendent Greg Schetler. All are welcome to enjoy the new natural installment, located on the west side of the Life Sciences Building. Learn more about the garden project and Harriet A. Korfhage on the Department of Biology website.