Situated at the southwest corner of the Smith Memorial Student Union along the South Park Blocks, the Smith Demonstration Garden serves as a living laboratory for urban ecology, biodiversity, and community gathering.
Maintained by Student Sustainability Center staff and volunteers, the garden features two main plots:
- Willamette Valley Native Prairie Garden: Features over 200 native plants and culturally significant flora, created in partnership with the Rae Selling Berry Seed Bank and the Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge (ITECK) Center.
- Pollinator Garden: Supports local pollinators, boosts urban biodiversity, and showcases sustainable, low-water landscaping.
Historically, the space has been anchored by the Dialogue Dome, a cob structure built by students in 2005 during the Village Building Convergence. Today, it offers the PSU community a quiet place to reflect, learn, and connect with urban agriculture.
Get Involved
No experience is necessary!
Volunteer Shifts & Workshops: Check out the Student Sustainability Center on Connect for current times and seasonal work parties.
Contact & Info
Email: gardens@pdx.edu
Instagram: @psu_ssc