Landscape Project Update

Work is nearing completion on the first stage of the Museum of Texas Tech University's West Texas Eco-Garden.

Over time, the garden will interpret the major natural habitats of West Texas, telling stories of the evolution of the High Plains.

The project that frames the northern entrance to the Museum is a representation of an arroyo. Eric Bernard, chairman of Texas Tech's Department of Landscape Architecture, and his student flew a drone over the area recently to refine how native plants will be placed within the arroyo-like feature. Plants will come from a local ranch and will be installed in the next week.

The project's goal is to achieve a highly sustainable landscape that requires minimal or no additional watering. Materials such as the concrete and bricks torn up by the construction will be reused in forming the arroyo. Eventually, there will be lighting, seating, and shade trees, creating an area that will be both educational and lovely to visit.

The West Texas eco-garden is made possible by the generous support of the CH Foundation, and funding through the landscape enhancement program of the Texas Tech University System. The system allocates 1 percent of the estimated total cost of each new construction project or each repair and rehabilitation project that exceeds $500,000 for landscape enhancement and an additional 1 percent for the acquisition of public art. The funding comes from the recent life safety project at the Museum.