Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden

UCLA MILDRED E. MATHIAS BOTANICAL GARDEN
A 7.5 acre public garden, outdoor classroom, and research facility on the UCLA campus in Los Angeles, California. We promote botanical knowledge by curating collections that highlight biogeography, conservation, and natural history. The Garden seeks to inspire environmental and cultural appreciation of plants and their relationship to society through education, research, and public outreach. Our beautiful setting fosters health and tranquility for the community.

COVID-19 UPDATE
Masks are no longer required • Tours are still on pause, but we are hopeful to have them available soon • Hours are: 8am-5pm weekdays and 9am-5pm weekends and holidays

1 2 3 4

MAIZE SHOULD BE CAPITALIZED (2021)

Art Installation by Alvaro Azcarraga, UCLA MFA Student
Alvaro Azcarraga’s piece, Maize Should Be Capitalized (2021), will be on display throughout the summer of 2021 just inside the Garden entrance on Hilgard and Le Conte. Return often to observe the life cycle of these plants. Learn more and view exhibit website.

“Our relationship with Maize needs to be reimagined. The space at the UCLA Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden serves as both an experimental site as well as a reintroduction space to five different varieties of Maize from around Mexico, the US, and China. Teosinte –the ancestor of Maize– is planted next to these five varieties guiding them in conversation through their genetic material. By understanding 9,000 years of our co-evolution with Maize, we can re-examine issues of hybridity, migration, and co-domestication. Maize should be Capitalized (2021) is both a grammar lesson questioning the hierarchy of capitalization and nomenclature of organisms. It is also a question looking at our (Maize)scape and the overcapitalization / commodification of genetically similar organisms. Through the conversation between Maize organisms, we are reintroduced to our co-domestication as species.”

VIRTUAL ELEMENTARY FIELD TRIP

Adapted to Survive: Exploring Plants through Nature Journaling
Explore the wild world of plants on a virtual adventure in the UCLA Botanical Garden. Be a scientist and create observations from home in your own nature journal! Students will get curious about diverse adaptations that help plants survive in different climates around the world. During this curriculum-based virtual field trip for grades 2-4, we will discuss what a scientist is and practice making our own observations. Learn more and request a field trip.

BECOME A MEMBER

Support access to nature and educational programs while enjoying the perks of membership.

GARDEN COLLECTIONS

Discover our thematic botanical collections within the Garden.

VENUES

Host your next event in our lush Garden or reserve film & photography permits.

CAMPUS PLANTS

Explore the diverse plants of the 400+ acres of the UCLA campus.

G A R D E N N E W S L E T T E R

Everyday the Garden is growing and changing. Subscribe below to receive updates in your inbox every 1-2 months. Read our past newsletters here.

S T A Y C O N N E C T E D

EXCITING NEWS: Masks are no longer required to vis

🧐Who recognizes this beautiful species of oak?

Cool seed! This funky little legume belongs to the

☀️ The Botanical Garden is open 9-5 on weekend

Visit and see art installation by Alvaro Azcarraga

Chamise is blooming! Also known as Greasewood or A

Wishing you a peaceful and studious weekend as we

🚧 CONSTRUCTION ALERT 🚨 Hello friends, some m

🌼☺️🌿 Want to book a virtual elementary f

Load More... Follow on Instagram

PLAN YOUR VISIT

Garden admission is free. Multiple entrances welcome you to the Garden. Bus stops are at the intersection of Le Conte and Hilgard Ave. Paid visitor parking is nearby at UCLA Parking Structure 2 and metered spaces in Westwood Village. The La Kretz Garden Pavilion is located at 707 Tiverton Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90095.

Get Directions

Plan Your Visit

Hours (February – October):
Weekdays: 8AM to 5PM
Weekends: 9AM to 5PM

Hours (November – January):
Weekdays: 8AM to 4PM
Weekends: 9AM to 4PM

UCLA Holidays: 9AM to 5PM

Maps were disabled by the visitor on this site. Click to open the map in a new window.

MILDRED E. MATHIAS

Once known as the world authority on the carrot family, Mildred held a wide-array of titles over the years. Some included: extraordinary woman, beloved professor, wild explorer, renowned botanist, ambitious director and loving mother. Explore our digital Mildred Archive to read about her fantastic life, travel the world in her shoes, and see the Garden through her eyes.

OUR MISSION

The UCLA Mildred E Mathias Botanical Garden promotes botanical knowledge by curating collections that highlight biogeography, conservation, and natural history. The Garden seeks to inspire environmental and cultural appreciation of plants and their relationship to society through education, research, and public outreach. Our beautiful setting fosters health and tranquility for the community.