Nearby Nature Site Tour: A Symphony of Biodiversity
The Music Complex and John Williams Scoring Stage native planting site on USC's University Park Campus.
Welcome to the Tour!
The map below gives a tour of how to find our Native Planting site situated inside the Thornton School of Music! Keep scrolling through the tour to learn about and engage with the plants that live there! :)
Why Go on Our Tour?
Step into a world where stress fades in the flight of winds and the harmonious melody of chirping birds on campus. Allow the beauty of nature to be your sanctuary during a well-deserved study break. Picture yourself surrounded by the vibrant flight of butterflies overhead, offering a moment of rest from the immense workload. Did you know that nature's benefits extend far beyond the ecological realm? Just 20-30 minutes spent in nature can significantly reduce stress levels. Whether you choose to sit and reflect or embark on a leisurely stroll through the serene surroundings, the positive impact on your well-being is undeniable. Join our site tour, where the therapeutic power of Nature’s pill awaits. It is more than just a breath of fresh air, it's a rejuvenating escape for both the mind and soul.
Welcome!
USC has a variety of Native planting plots on campus. Let's explore one today!
John Williams Scoring Stage and The Music Complex Native Planting Site
This is the location of where we'll be giving our tour of the Native Planting site.
Deer Grass
Can you find this plant? What does it feel like? Can you imagine weaving a basket with this grass? Deer grass is important to Indigenous People of California.
California Poppy
Can you guess the significance of this flower? It's California's State flower! It represents the "fields of gold" sought during the Gold Rush of the 1840s and 50s.
Seaside Daisy
Look. Do you notice any insects on the flowers?
Island Pink Yarrow
Smell. Do you smell the pleasant fragrance of this vibrant flower?
Santa Ana Pitchersage
Feel the leaves of this plant. What does it feel like? Do you notice any caterpillars or insects on this plant like in this photo?
California Redbud (Aka Judas Tree)
Listen. Do you hear the rustling of the leaves or any other animal sounds?
Site Exploration
Imagine you are like this curious squirrel, wanting to explore every plant in this site. Find a plant that looks the most beautiful to you, and take a picture of it, or write down a description of what it looks like.
Reflection
Take a few quiet moments to reflect on this guided tour experience. There are benches, chairs, and open grass directly across from this native planting site. Find a piece of paper or write digitally: What stood out to you? What plant or animal was your favorite that you observed? Who would you want to bring back and share this native planting site with?
Want to learn more about each plant? Click on each point to learn more about the individual native plant species that live in this native planting plot.
NativePlantingPlotPlants
What is a Site Tour?
The purpose of this StoryMap is to utilize course concepts from ENST 405 at the University of Southern California to create an engaging self-guided walking tour of one of the native planting sites on USC's campus. Our group began this project by conducting a survey of USC students to understand what knowledge is held about native plants, nature on USC's campus, and native planting plots. We then used this knowledge to inform our research and public engagement techniques to create this interactive walking tour of the John Williams Scoring Stage and The Music Complex native planting plot on campus. Continue scrolling to begin the tour and learn more about our gorgeous native planting plot!
What does a Native Planting Plot Provide?
Beyond the reduction in water usage, native planting sites contribute to overall human well-being by fostering a healthier environment. The initiative promotes the health benefits associated with a thriving ecosystem, facilitates biodiversity through the creation of pollinator gardens, and nurtures the connections between people and nature.
What is a Native Plant?
A California native plant is defined as a plant that existed in California before European settlers. Native plants are important for a variety of reasons: including biodiversity, cultural, aesthetic beauty, and economic benefits.
Native plants present on campus were and are important to the Tongva/Gabrielino Indigenous People of Los Angeles where USC currently resides. One example we will discuss further is Deer Grass, which is used to weave baskets. An example of a basket made using Deer Grass, among other materials, is shown below from the collection of the Museum of Natural and Cultural History.
Catalog #2-2189 Seed toasting basket. Southern California, inland peoples. Deer grass, sumac, Juncus sp. Received 1943. 13cm high x 40cm diameter
Where are all the Native Planting Sites on Campus?
Our survey results regarding awareness and engagement with native planting sites on campus revealed a significant knowledge gap among students. Out of 25 respondents, only one person said yes to visiting a native planting site, but when asked to identify the location, they said "I don’t know." 0% of the surveyed students were aware of the location of native planting sites, underscoring a substantial disconnection between students and nature at USC.
When questioned about their favorite nature spots on campus, only three students enjoyed nature spots in an active native planting garden. One student identified the Queen’s Court near the old Annenberg building and two students inadvertently enjoyed the Music Complex Native Planting Site without realizing its identity. One participant expressed appreciation for the walkway through Thornton, which serves as a native plant site, while another favored the Thornton area, specifically mentioning the iconic red chairs. These survey findings underscore the urgent need for increased awareness and promotion of native planting sites on campus, emphasizing the importance of bridging the knowledge gap and fostering a greater connection between students and the natural environment at USC.
Map showing locations of current native planting sites on USC's UPC campus, locations for turf removal, and locations with proposed native planting plot test sites. Locations circled in pink are current native plant sites. Once you take our tour, check out the other ones on campus!
What Flora and Fauna Can I Find at this Native Planting Plot?
There is a variety of animals and insects you can observe at the John Williams Scoring Stage and The Music Center Planting Plot which we will provide a self-guided tour of. Look through this infographic of the biodiversity you can find when you go on our tour of this Native planting plot.
Graphic from USC
Ideas for Further Engagement
We hope you enjoyed our tour! If you want to show this amazing native planting plot to your friends and family, we encourage you to employ some of these ideas next time you visit!
- Picnic in the park! There is a large green grass area right across from the native planting site, which would be the perfect shady spot for a picnic.
- Bring a journal, and write some notes about your observations in nature
- Do this tour with a friend!
- Try and find all of the animals and insects you can see at this native planting plot!
- Bring some headphones and listen to music while you enjoy the plants!
- Bring a football, frisbee, or other sports equipment to play a game while enjoying the plants.
- Go on a run on campus, and run by all the native planting plots on campus.
- Bring a card game, or board game to play next to the planting plot.
- Enjoy the scenery with these red chairs located across from this native planting site.