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UMD greenhouses reopen to public
BY ALYSSA ANTTILA
STATESMAN STAFF WRITER
ISSUE: 78/20
LARAMIE CARLSON / STATESMAN
A closeup of plants exhibited at one of UMD’s newly reopened Life Science greenhouses. The greenhouses are home to plants from all over the world.
There are probably days when you wish you could escape the Minnesota cold and go somewhere warm in an instant. Well, that opportunity might not be all that far away for UMD students and staff. The two greenhouses located on campus have recently reopened and are open to students and the general public for viewing.
“It’s like being in the tropics,” said greenhouse director Deb Shubat. “It’s a resource for students who may need to relax their brains and eyes for a while.”
However, not very many people are aware of this “tropical getaway” that is located right here on campus. UMD has two greenhouses, the upper greenhouse, which is located in Life Science 208, and the lower greenhouse, which is located in Life Science 20. A common misconception Shubat said students have about the greenhouse is that they can’t come in. “Anyone can come in,” Shubat said. “The upper greenhouse is handicap accessible too.”
The large array of greenery featured at the
greenhouses located in UMD’s Life Science
building
The greenhouses are generally open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, according to the Web site, www.umnd/biology/greenhouse. The greenhouses are also available for tours. If you plan on visiting the greenhouse with a large group or would like to have a tour, Shubat recommends setting up a time with her. The greenhouses feature a variety of plants from all over the world, including orange and banana trees, mocha plants and orchids.
In order for plants to grow, the greenhouses are set up with various climates, such as dry desert, humid and moist wetlands. The greenhouses are commonly used for various classes as well. Some departments that have taken advantage of the unique plants include biology, the medical school, geology and art.
The Duluth tropical escape is kept at about 68-70 degrees in the day and 60-65 degrees at night. The greenhouse constantly grows plants and keeps them alive with the help of volunteers and work-study employees.
Sophomore Karissa Hatten has only been working at the greenhouse for a couple of weeks now, but knew this was the perfect job for her. “I saw the ad online, always liked plants and said ‘I have to do this,’” Hatten said. “It’s really nice in here too, like a little retreat.”
She also went on to say that she enjoys being inside the greenhouse where it is nice and warm when there is snow outside. Hatten also encourages students to “come in and check it out.” The greenhouses have been closed for the past couple years due to renovation and construction on the Life Science buildings, but Shubat wants to let the community know they are now open. “It has been closed and students need to find it again,” Shubat said. “The plants like visitors too.”
