University of Arizona Krutch Garden controversy collection

When the University of Arizona campus was founded in 1891, Dr. James Toumey, a botanist for the campus, began planting a cacus garden dedicated to Sonoran Desert vegetation. The garden remained but was moved to a new location in 1929, from the west side to the east side of Old Main, and at that time had over 600 species of desert plants and cactus. It was during this time that the famous boojum trees were added to the garden. When the Student Union was erected in the 1950s, several specimens were moved across campus to make way for new construction. The Joseph Wood Krutch Garden was dedicated to Joseph Wood Krutch in 1980 and continues to promote desert plants and environmental sustainability.

In 2001, plans were being made to create a new Alumni Plaza and several individuals suggested moving the cactus garden back to the west side of Old Main. However, those against the move suggested that several species could not survive being uprooted and moved across campus. Others noted that the historic pieces of the campus should not be relocated to make way for 'modern' additions, but rather additions should work around existing spaces. Additionally, many suggested moving, and potentially damaging, the garden would go against the University's sustainability goals. It was decided that the garden would remain in its current location and a care plan was established in 2004, with several additions to the garden being added in 2007.