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After years of collaborative development, two new Living Lab spaces have been completed for the Residence Hall and the Academic Teaching Gardens at the Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation (SMSC)! The project was developed and coordinated with our Facilities & Campus Operations (F&CO) Facilities Management (FM) Grounds team, SMSC faculty, and our contract partner Brightview.
“The creation of the new spaces marks a significant step in enhancing the landscape elements and student experience on the SMSC campus,” Erich Miller, F&CO Grounds Program Manager and horticulturist. “Great care, forethought, and consideration were taken with relation to the use of native plant species, sustainable practices, and the creation of Living Lab spaces for current and future students and visitors.”
In addition to reviving the landscapes for aesthetics, over 20 different species of native plants are expected to bloom from early spring through the fall, providing a habitat for pollinators such as birds, butterflies and bees. The new plantings will also be involved in research conducted by high school and undergrad students.
“Partnering with GMU Facilities and the SMSC faculty, we thoughtfully selected every species in the teaching garden to align with and enhance their curriculum,” said Katarina Morgan, Account Manager, BrightView Landscape Services. “Growing our partnership with [George Mason] SMSC has been incredibly rewarding. Working together to create lasting and meaningful landscapes for students, faculty and future visitors is something we take great pride in. We’re excited to continue enhancing the campus with thoughtful and sustainable design.”
The installation was completed on October 2, 2025.
