As classes wrap up and finals approach, many Vanderbilt students may be stuck in libraries or lecture halls, studying away. Still, there are plenty of ways to find a green moment of peace amidst the hustle and bustle of college life. With Earth Day coming up April 22 and Earth Month lasting all of April, now is the perfect time to appreciate the environment before we say goodbye to the spring semester. These aspects of Vanderbilt’s natural ambiance highlight just how beautiful a campus we have in our Vanderbubble.
Trees
Even with the damage done by the ice storm earlier this semester, Vanderbilt’s natural ambience and arboretum status is back in full swing this spring. Whether it be appreciating the stunning magnolias as you go to and from your classes or studying in the shade of one of our campus’s large oaks, Earth Month is a great opportunity to take a moment to pause and ponder the unique and captivating giants we walk beside every day.
Blooms
While there are plenty of locations around the Nashville area to see some stunning flowers this spring, be sure not to take the blooms here on campus for granted. Whether it is the picture-perfect yellow tulips in front of the Vanderbilt sign on the corner of campus ready to welcome students and visitors alike, the cherry blossoms visible in several of our trees or bouquet-making events on Rand wall, keep an eye out for the color-popping petals that bring so much joy.
Gardens
Although the original Vanderbilt Community Garden was lost in the demolition of the Branscomb Quadrangle this past summer, there are still several active garden sites across campus. We have pollinator gardens surrounding the lecture halls and on top of Rand and produce-growing gardens near Blakemore and on Edgehill (where the new Community Garden is being rebuilt), all of which are open to student involvement through numerous classes and clubs.
Furry, flying friends
Vanderbilt would not feel like home without our signature squirrels. They always provide a sense of humor and comfort to students that make them just as much a part of the campus community as we are. Alongside the squirrels, Vanderbilt also boasts a sizable populations of bunnies that hop around and birds that fly overhead, meaning there is always a cute creature to see if you take the time to look out for them.
Green spaces
There is nothing quite as heartwarming as the way that the lawns of Vanderbilt fill up with students on a sunny spring day. Whether we choose to hang around in a hammock, join some friends for a game of Spikeball or just enjoy a meal in a soft patch of sunlight, the lawns across Vanderbilt’s campus are always there to help us all touch grass.
No matter how busy schedules can get or how many assignments are on your to-do list, it doesn’t take much to appreciate the natural beauty and wonder here on campus. It may even give you the perfect pick-me-up to ace these final weeks.
