A Case for the Arboretum: Biodiversity and Loss

Upon entering the John C. Gifford Arboretum, the average student might not notice the multitude of plant life that inhabits our campus. The arboretum was created to represent hundreds of species of plants and trees, and yet when looking at the website that was created to inform the world about this rare and diversified habitat, something stands out.

The above image represents the University’s internal struggle toward preservation of a significant habitat and study tool, and our need for a more direct route to the main roads. The city of Coral Gables is said to have mandated the building of this new road, but the location is subject to criticism. The University of Miami has not provided the students of the University with many details pertaining to the construction of the road and also solidified its plans without considering the extensive replanting that took place after hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma.(i) The arboretum contains over 500 different species and it was intended to be expanded with the $63,000 grant it received. Phase I of the road expansion has not been completed, and the impending Phase II is what has the student body and Biology department even more worried.

Because of the uncertainties involved in this construction, the Arboretum is left to the mercy of the city contractors and our President’s judgment. If this road is to be build how it was originally intended to be build, over 23% of the arboretum would be lost and 145 plants.(ii) As of now, the Graduate Student Association has kept its stance against the building of the road in its 10th resolution for 2009-2010. (iii)

Since the issue arose, with the support of the University of Miami student body and the Department of Biology, as well as the Graduate Student Association, the Arboretum construction deadline has been extended until August 31st, 2011. This extension of the completion of phase I of construction gives the Arboretum a fighting chance. It serves as a valuable research tool in the science departments and creates a balance in our urban school environment. The arboretum serves as both a refuge and teaching tool, and will continue to be fought for by people like Carol Horvitz, the Director of the John C. Gifford Arboretum. Her collaboration in the effort toward its preservation has made the difference. When Joe Natoli, the Senior Vice President for Business and Finance and Chief Financial Officer, issued the statement about the extension of the road development deadlines, new efforts to discuss preservation were made because of the promise that the University of Miami “will reevaluate options for improving campus circulation, protecting green space, and otherwise enhancing our campus”. (iv)

But how can you get involved? Contact John Cozza or Carol Horvitz at arboretum@bio.miami.edu and see what you can do to assure that the University of Miami protects our green space and deviates AROUND the arboretum in its future construction.

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i) Cozza, John, and Carol Horvitz. "Notes on a Road/Parking Lot in the University of Miami's Gifford Arboretum." John C. Gifford Arboretum. 2/11/2010. Web. 2 May 2011.
ii) Cozza, John, and Carol Horvitz. "Notes on a Road/Parking Lot in the University of Miami's Gifford Arboretum." John C. Gifford Arboretum. 2/11/2010. Web. 2 May 2011.
iii) It can be found: http://www.bio.miami.edu/arboretum/News/Senate%20agendab.pdf
iv) Joe Natoli, University of Miami Communications to EVERITAS-HTML@LISTSERV.MIAMI.EDU; June 02, 2010