Just minutes from the Miami Shores campus, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden became an open-air classroom for Barry University students which offered a chance to experience one of the world’s premier conservation and education-based gardens. The visit was organized to give students first-hand exposure to the biodiversity, ecosystems, and plant structures they’ve been studying all semester. The students were accompanied by Dr. Flona Redway and TA Aaliya Gravesande-Singh.  

Throughout the day, course concepts came to life in vivid detail. For many students, the experience bridged the gap between theory and reality. Cardji Calexte noted how the visit “brought the lessons from lab into nature,” while Kenece Edgecombe mentioned that the most interesting part of the trip was seeing the rainbow eucalyptus for the first time in person, which was special since they had discussed the plant in class.

Another student Dana Elwan described it as “one of my favorite experiences in this course,” adding that it felt less like a class trip and more like a meaningful moment to reflect on the importance of protecting our environment. Students also reflected on how the experience changed their perspectives. Shereece Rennals shared, “Walking through the garden felt like being inside a living system where everything has a role, and it made me more aware of how easily that balance can be disrupted. It definitely shifted my perspective on environmental care in a more personal way rather than just something abstract.”

For some, it was a moment of discovery. One student visiting from outside Florida was amazed to see so many tropical and subtropical plants in one place for the very first time.

In the end, students left with a stronger understanding of conservation, a deeper appreciation for biodiversity, and a renewed sense of responsibility for the environment.