Centralight

Patti Travioli's thumbs are green. And smudged with dirt. When it comes to gardens, Working in CMU's Fabiano Botanical Gardens with two CMU students, Travioli shows them the different types of Michigan native plants. Midsentence, she swoops down to the ground and grabs a weed. "As a gardener, those weeds are the first thing that you notice," she says, wiping the dirt on the sides of her pants. "That is why you need to step back and take your garden in as a whole and enjoy its beauty." bloom in Travioli, who has been gardening since she was a child, has helped cultivate the CMU Botanical Gardens since she was hired in 2009. 20 centralight summer '12 Travioli says she has grown several gardens. She's worked in a plant nursery. She owned a certified organic farm. And she feels it all has led her to working in the CMU Botanical Gardens. "After some time, visiting a garden is like spending time with a friend," she says. "Many gardens I have spent time with I've had to leave behind because of a job change or because of a move. But this is a garden that no matter where I am in my life, I will be able to visit anytime. And I hope others will grow to feel this way, too." The gardens – conceived by biologists and horticulturists with a passion for plants, their history and their ecosystems – will enhance the beauty of CMU's campus and further the university's educational and community outreach opportunities. CMU grows educational garden Travioli says the plant environments incorporate the current pond near Park Library. But there will be an addition of a flowing stream and waterfall, pathways, and benches in the near future. And as the gardens mature and expand, it will draw repeat visits from area residents, strengthening the university's connection to the surrounding community. "It is a great meeting space and it allows you to relax. Experiencing nature reduces stress," she says. "Who wouldn't love to go out there and have lunch on a beautiful Saturday?" In addition, through these gardens, CMU students and faculty will explore field botany, aquatic plant ecology, medicinal and economic uses of plants, and the value of genetically modifying plants. CMU's teacher education students also will develop classroom activities for K-12 teachers who bring their classes to campus. TEXT BY SARAH CHUBY, '03 M.A. '11 PHOTOGRAPHS BY PEGGY BRISBANE

• Cover