The Flower Press

On Sunday, April 19, Colorado State University students were invited to spend a free afternoon at The Gardens on Spring Creek — a 12-acre botanic garden tucked along the Spring Creek Trail, in Fort Collins, Colorado. Although it is less than a mile from campus, it was for many of the students in attendance their first visit.

The event, called CSU Day at the Gardens, was the first of its kind. Organized through a partnership between The Gardens and CSU, it drew students into a space that, despite its proximity, had largely flown under the radar for the university community.

The event was funded by a CSU Community Engaged Learning Mini Grant and organized with direct involvement from students in NR 400 — Public Communication in Natural Resources, a course taught by Dr. Jamie Dahl. The course used the event as a hands-on public communication project, with student volunteers staffing the afternoon and directing visitors throughout the grounds.

Dr. Dahl designed the partnership with intention — to connect students with local biodiversity, build awareness of conservation issues, and offer access to a restorative green space close to campus.

The day’s programming reflected those goals. The event offered a range of opportunities. Students explored the wandered paths lined with bulbs, shrubs, and trees in peak spring bloom. The many cacti, the drought tolerant stars of the curated gardens were show stopping in their flowering.

Alongside the gardens themselves, students browsed a range of informational tables where participating organizations connected them to campus resources, environmental programs and community initiatives.

Students also had access to arts and crafts stations, the Butterfly House, Restorative Fitness sessions, and lunch from the El Diablo food truck.

The Gardens on Spring Creek has served the Fort Collins community through public programming, conservation and education for years. The CSU partnership represents a deliberate effort to bring a younger, student audience into that community — and to position the Gardens as a legitimate wellness and academic resource for the university next door.

That case is increasingly supported by research. A 2025 study in Frontiers in Psychology found that nature-based creative experiences contribute to well-being across emotional, cognitive and social dimensions — a finding that aligns directly with what CSU Day set out to offer.

“We want to make sure students know that they are welcome here — this is a great place to just be and relax, have lunch, or come and study, and our wellness classes offer a great way to get exercise while being in a beautiful nature space.” — Gigi Schaller, Adult Program Coordinator, The Gardens on Spring Creek

Organizers hope the partnership between CSU and The Gardens will continue to grow. For students who attended, discounted memberships offer a straightforward reason to return.