UCLA was given a $1.5 million donation from Charlie and Peggy Norris to further the development of the Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden’s waterworks project and promote sustainability on campus. Improvements made possible by this gift include a new hydrology system that uses reclaimed water, a wetland garden, safer bridge crossings, replacements for broken pipelines and individualized water delivery to separate gardens.

The garden— named after the pioneering botanist and former director who shaped its vision as an outdoor laboratory— is home to around 3,000 species of plants, one of the largest Torrey Pines in the world and more than 60 species of palms. It also serves as a sanctuary to numerous turtles, birds and other animals.

“We are grateful to Charlie and Peggy Norris for their vision and support, which benefits the entire UCLA community and the public,” said Tracy Johnson, dean of life sciences and holder of the Keith and Cecilia Terasaki Presidential Endowed Chair in the Division of Life Sciences. “Like the garden, the true impact of their gift will flourish and have an impact for generations to come.”

Read more about this project at UCLA Newsroom.

Image Source: Stephanie Yantz