Award-Winning Gardens Connecting Plants, Health, Learning & Community
The University of Kansas Medical Center Botanic Gardens transform outdoor spaces into living systems that support health, education, sustainability and community well-being. Located in the heart of an urban campus, the gardens serve as living classrooms, food-growing spaces, pollinator habitats and restorative green spaces where students, staff, patients and visitors can experience the connection between plants, medicine, food and wellness.
Our Mission
The Botanic Gardens enhance the educational experience for students, faculty, staff, patients and visitors by helping people explore the critical role plants and nature play in our lives, including:
- The food we eat
- The medicines we take
- Our mental and emotional well-being
Through hands-on learning, wellness programming, edible gardens and community partnerships, the gardens demonstrate how plants support both individual health and public well-being.
Nationally recognized for excellence in landscape stewardship, KU Medical Center has earned the prestigious Professional Grounds Management Society Honor Award in 2014, 2015, 2017, and 2025, reflecting a longstanding commitment to creating beautiful, innovative landscapes with purpose.
Measurable Impact
The gardens are more than beautiful spaces—they are active engines for wellness, education and engagement:
- 38 events hosted annually
- 600+ participants engaged
- 1,248 total engagement hours
- 218+ volunteer hours contributed
- 400+ hours of experiential learning
- Signature community events reaching up to 250 participants
- Hands-on support for food systems, Culinary Medicine and campus wellness initiatives
Our Work Supports
- Education & Experiential Learning – Living classrooms for horticulture, sustainability, food systems and plant-centered health education
- Health & Well-Being – Nature-based spaces and programming that reduce stress and promote healthier lifestyles
- Community Impact – Volunteerism, food access, partnerships and shared stewardship
- Environmental Stewardship – Pollinator habitat, biodiversity, trees and sustainable urban green space management
Connect With Us
Connect with the KU Medical Center Botanic Gardens on Facebook and Instagram for updates and events, or email gardens@kumc.edu to schedule a tour, volunteer or explore partnership opportunities.