Landscape and the Environment at UC Berkeley

1
Landscape and the Environment at UC Berkeley

• Researcher Sara Meess
• Assistant Clint Tanaka
• Section 107

2
History of the Landscape of UC Berkeley

• Open oak woodland and grassland.
• Farm land and cattle ranches.
• Purchased by the College of California to use for
  the site of its first campus.

3
The Development of the Botanical Garden and the
Conservatory

• Professor Hilgard proposed a garden of economic
  plants to use for research and teaching.
• Professor Greene expanded this garden to include
  plants native to California.
• In 1893, the UC Regents approved plans to build a
  glass conservatory next to the garden.

4
History of the Glass Conservatory

• Glass conservatories became popular after the
  Crystal Palace was built for the 1851 Exhibition
  in London.
• The Conservatory of Flowers in Golden Gate Park
  was built in 1879, shortly before the Cal
  greenhouse was constructed. The same company,
  Lord and Burnham, built both conservatories.

5
The Universitys Use of the Landscape

• The garden and conservatory at Cal provided links
  to past traditions of landscaping, helping the
  university to create a sense of history and
  permanence. They also displayed the universitys
  wealth and knowledge.

6
The Universitys Relationship to the Environment

• UC Berkeley used the environment of the campus to
  serve the universitys needs.
• University officials allowed students to
  construct the Big C, showing that the hills
  were a dramatic landscape, subject to
  alteration in the service of the university.
• Strawberry Creek was used as a water supply and
  sewage system, and the university redirected its
  course many times.
• The botanical gardens could be considered another
  attempt to alter the natural landscape and use it
  for the purposes of the university.

7
References

• Charbonneau, Robert.
• 2000 Strawberry Creek I The Making of an Urban
  Stream, 1860-1960. Theme issue, West of Eden
  The University and the Environment, Chronicle of
  the University of California 3 1-18.
• Finacom, Steven.
• 2000 Early Conservation Spirit in Berkeley and
  the Battle over the Big C. Theme issue, West
  of Eden The University and the Environment,
  Chronicle of the University of California 3
  43-55.
• Roberts, William.
• 2000 The Campus Conservatory. Theme issue,
  West of Eden The University and the
  Environment, Chronicle of the University of
  California 3 27-28.
• Williamson, Tom.
• 1999 Gardens, Legitimation, and Resistance.
  International Journal of Historical Archaeology
  3(1) 37-52.
• http//www.alumni.berkeley.edu/Alumni/Cal_Monthly/
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  nd.jpg
• http//sunsite.berkeley.edu/FindingAids/dynaweb/ca
  lher/moacbanc/hagermeyer/figures/brk00012008_31b_k
  .jpg
• http//sunsite.berkeley.edu/FindingAids/dynaweb/ca
  lher/moacbanc/hagermeyer/figures/brk00011911_31b_j
  .jpg
• http//sunsite.berkeley.edu/FindingAids/dynaweb/ca
  lher/moacbanc/hagermeyer/figures/brk00011923_31b_j
  .jpg
• http//sunsite.berkeley.edu/uchistory/archives_exh
  ibits/online_exhibits/1899/images-larger/300-18.jp
  g
• http//sunsite.berkeley.edu/uchistory/archives_exh
  ibits/online_exhibits/1899/images-larger/HP00109a.
  jpg
• http//www.victorianstation.com/palace.html