Connecting People, Plants, and Purpose
Over the last decade, we’ve reimagined the central feature of the UC Davis Arboretum – the Arboretum Waterway – to enhance its function and beauty while preparing it for the challenges of climate change. Contractors recently finished a major construction phase of the project nearly a year ahead of schedule: reshaping the water channel, adding water circulation, and building weirs. Now, the project is launching into an era where people, plants, and purpose will come together to shape its enduring legacy. To ensure the transformation has the foundation it needs to thrive, we’re planning ahead to provide our students with the opportunities and resources they will need to care for this rich ecosystem, all while gaining environmental leadership and outreach experience.
This is where we need your help. We invite you to join us as we reimagine the Arboretum Waterway!
Early challenge donors have already pledged $65,000 to kick off our Waterway Reimagined campaign!
Their gifts will boost or match your donation. There's still time to become a challenge donor with a gift of $2,500+. For information, contact Suzanne Ullensvang: sullensvang@ucdavis.edu | (530) 752-8324
- See the List of Our Fantastic Challenge Donors
UC Davis Give Day Challenge Donors
- Kathleen Socolofsky and Bob Gregoire
- Glenys and James Kaye
- Robert and Cathryn Kerr
- Ernest and Mary Ann Lewis
- William Green and Martín Palomar
- Martha West
- Anonymous (2)
Big Day of Giving Challenge Donors
- Terry Davison
- Tré Frane
- John and Lynne Morgan
- Chris Craig-Veit and Lance Veit
- Friends Board Challenge: Kristen Bennett, Kent Bradford, Ann Daniel, Ann Filmer
- Anonymous (1)
By donating, you're investing in...
Student Leadership
Habitat restoration is a long-term process that begins to show results within a few months, but the development of a full ecosystem restoration takes decades, even longer. Your support helps fund the work of student environmental interns on the Learning by Leading™ Waterway Stewardship team who will oversee this long-term process.
Specialized Equipment
Your support helps fund the supplies, tools, and equipment for students to monitor and care for the reimagined Arboretum Waterway. With the right resources, student leaders who are part of our award-winning Learning by Leading™ program can efficiently maintain and grow this important environment, creating a resilient, climate-ready ecosystem for generations.
Community Outreach
We are reimagining the Arboretum Waterway as a living classroom and a hub for community connection. Your support helps provide the programs necessary to transform it into a dynamic space for learning about riparian habitats, wetland ecology, and the health of our local watershed while inspiring participants to become stewards of the environment.
Big Day of Giving
Thursday, May 1, midnight to midnight
Organized by the Sacramento Region Community Foundation, Big Day of Giving is an annual event that unites our community to raise funds for nonprofits that strengthen El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento, and Yolo counties. When you make a gift during Big Day of Giving to the Arboretum and Public Garden, you are helping the Arboretum Waterway, and the people who care for it, thrive. #BDOG2025
Give Now!
Give Day
Friday, April 11, noon – Saturday, April 12
UC Davis Give Day was a success! A total of 65 gifts totalling $68,300 came in to support our Waterway Reimagined campaign. Thank you to everyone who gave! Your gifts ensure the continued transformation of the Arboretum Waterway and the students who care for it. Did you miss giving? Consider donating now through May 1 in honor of our region's Big Day of Giving.
It’s a dramatic transformation!
Once a static pond, today the Arboretum Waterway functions as a dynamic system of lakes, meandering channels, and gentle falls. Its waters weave past earthen banks and wetland islands now emerging with newly planted California flora and the growing sights and sounds of native wildlife.
