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Seeds of Resilience Courtyard

Seeds of Resilience Courtyard
Grant Type
Annual Grant
Project Status
Completed
Award Period
FY2026
Awarded Amount
$99,900
Amount Used
$76,190

Project Description

The Seeds of Resilience Courtyard project will reimagine the Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) building’s courtyard to reflect the energy, innovation, and joy that radiates from within. By completely renovating the space, they will create a sustainable outdoor area that fosters healing, connection, and growth for students. The courtyard will become a teaching and learning space to discuss issues of environmental resilience and learn about gardening and sustainability. The courtyard will be a place where students and the campus community can learn from one another about how to be better stewards of the Sonoran Desert and facilitate the sharing of skills and knowledge of current and traditional harvesting practices.  

The renovation will include the removal of old vegetation and the creation of an inviting amphitheater-style seating along the existing half wall jutting out from the north side of the building. The plaza will incorporate both active and passive rainwater harvesting practices through the use of permeable pavers and the installation of a large water harvesting tank.  Along the west wall of the courtyard will be stock tanks for gardening. 

Once construction is completed, abundant native flowering plants will be added to attract pollinators, and a native tree to eventually provide some shade to the seating area in the summer.

Project Outcomes

In alignment with the project’s name, this team demonstrated inspiring collaboration, adaptability, and determination to successfully complete the renovation of the Seeds of Resilience Courtyard. The outdoor space was transformed into a functional, educational, and culturally meaningful courtyard.  

Throughout the project, the team remained committed to creating a sustainable, water-harvesting landscape where students can learn about gardening, native plants, and food cultivation. 

The completed courtyard includes spacious amphitheater seating surrounding a central Chinese Pistache tree, creating a place for students can study, gather, and relax. The space also includes areas for growing vegetables and herbs, multiple raised garden beds including an ADA-accessible bed, and a rainwater harvesting system with 530-gallon cistern-capacity. Approximately 60 different plants were planted across the courtyard. Of that total, 5 were culturally significant herbs and root crops, and more than 20 were native and pollinator-friendly plants. To support upcoming gardening programming, the space features a gardening, storage shed filled with gardening tools, supplies, and soil, and a small greenhouse for seedlings. Additional site features added include terracotta planters for herbs, hummingbird feeders, and a pollinator house. 

The team truly planted a seed of resilience to grow at 1322 E 1st Street. MLK Jr. Student Space's plans for upcoming programming demonstrate that this initial investment was only the beginning of the connection, celebration of culture, and engagement with sustainability in this space.  

Image of the courtyard before renovation.

Department
Office of the Provost

Project Manager
Marnesha Jones

Project Manager (secondary)
Chris Stebe

Categories
Social Sustainability
Sustainability Literacy

Supporting Documents
Approved Budget
Final Budget