Nearby Nature Site Tour: A Symphony of Biodiversity

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! :)

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.