The Gardens at Texas A&M University

Mission and Values

Our mission is to create an iconic place on campus to share the innovation and passion we have for agriculture, the environment and feeding the world.

Growing through transformational education – fulfilling the land-grant mission From kindergarten to retirement, there’s always something to learn about nature. The Gardens is an outdoor classroom providing world-class research and experiential learning for many academic disciplines and people of all ages.

Beautifying and preserving campus green space As campus green space disappears, it’s vital that we make The Gardens a priority space for gathering together, learning and relaxing, all valuable for quality-of-life on campus.

Providing a rejuvenating place for learning and recreation The Gardens is a place visitors can come to and find a quiet place to relax, as well as join in on outdoor entertainment, such as sports, performance arts, films, celebrations, and social events.

What inspired The Gardens?

The creative team behind The Gardens saw a need growing on campus – the need to enrich lives by connecting people with the living world of horticulture. The importance of plants to life on earth is immeasurable. We depend upon them for the air we breathe, the food we eat, the shelter we need, and the medicine we can’t live without. Through our numerous programs and educational materials, guests can learn about ecosystems, growing food, growing plants, conserving water, and much more. In addition, recreation and events in our tranquil and eclectic landscapes will bring the community together.

How have The Gardens grown?

Texas A&M University is home to one of the largest and busiest campuses in the nation. As it grows each year, the amount of green space disappears. In 1998, the Board of Regents designated White Creek and the surrounding riparian area as the West Campus Greenway.

In 2011, Former Vice Chancellor and Dean Dr. Mark Hussey initiated a project to turn the area into The Gardens. Visible construction began in January 2015, starting with the restoration of White Creek. The creek was stabilized and two pedestrian bridges were installed with a limited trail system. The bridges and trails across the creek and property link students from White Creek Apartments to the AgriLife Complex and the rest of campus.

With that restoration complete, construction of The Gardens can continue in multiple phases.

Phase I (opened June 2018) includes the construction of the Leach Teaching Gardens, which include 21 themed gardens, an outdoor classroom, an event lawn, demonstration area, and pavilion.

Future phases will include outdoor venues for the performing arts, films, celebrations and social events. The Grove, the original outdoor venue for such events, will be recreated at The Gardens in coming phases, as well as a children’s garden, rose garden and feed-the-world themed courtyard.