So what’s the big deal about UBC campus?

All images in this post are originals

The short answer: I’ll be responsible for finding that out. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I have a beat. For the next while I’ll be learning all there is to know about the sprawling expanses formally known as the University of British Columbia.

With this daunting task in mind, I went on a very long walk today. But it wasn’t just any ol’ stroll—I touched furry plants and sniffed funny-looking flowers, I spoke to strangers and collected pamphlets, I snapped pictures and poked my head in offices. Essentially, I combed over a good deal of this campus with all five of my senses.

Although I’m exhausted, I am very very far from done.

I still have many questions lodged in my brain (it’s quite painful, really, so I have to get them out!). You see, the thing about talking to people is that they’re not always so sure that what they’re telling you is true.  Is there really going to be a giant whale skeleton up for display soon? Can young women (16-26) really test a new HPV vaccination and then put it on their resume as”volunteering”? (And should such recruitment be done on campus?) Are there really three hidden labyrinths at UBC?

Stay tuned as I discover the answers to these questions and more!

HEY UBC! If you know of an under-reported story on campus which you’d like to see covered, why not comment on this post and let me know what’s on your mind?

UBC in details

So, they may not be the most newsworthy of images but I thought I’d post some of these to show you how many beautiful nooks and niches there are out here. Once I can get past the beauty of this campus, I’m sure I’ll dig up any number of not-so-easy-to-appreciate subjects. For now, enjoy the pretty!

Here's a berry interesting question: What the heck are these?

I met a gardener today and I described these berries to him. I said: “they’re red with bumps and, when you squish them, they have gooey yellow stuff in them”. He said they were dogwood berries but after a quick google search I’m not so sure they are. Any berry experts out there? (Hey, maybe I’ll do a piece on edible berries on campus, haha. How’s that for a recession story?) The answer was emailed to me! See comments.

How about a lawn that matches your pet poodle?

Ah, the flora and fauna of our urban spaces–something  Torontonians like me are less likely to take for granted. I’m specializing in Environmental Studies so I hope to get to know the campus’ biodiversity and write a few stories about the silent wonders that people may not notice on their way to lecture.

Stop to smell the roses

So, Joe Cutbirth (one of my professors) told us to see, hear, smell, touch, and taste things on our walks today. I must say that–hot damn–roses smell so much better when they’re still attached to gardens. Next time you pass a live one, make sure to take a whiff!

Ever pet a furry fruit?

I didn’t make it on time to visit the UBC botanical garden (and centre for plant research) but I did manage to poke around the edges. They’re having a plant sale soon, which is exciting, but perhaps not as exciting as the 8000 different plants I can visit anytime!