Announcement: Additional learning gardens and opportunities to get involved are coming soon for the Spring 2026 semester. Those interested in getting involved with campus garden initiatives may email green@austincc.edu to express interest, and join the Green Team mailing list to receive updates.
The Austin Community College Learning Gardens are intended to support experiential learning and environmental wellness for the ACC community. The learning gardens are a space to get outside, try new things, and learn from hands-on experiences in the gardens, as well as learning from other members. All current ACC students, faculty, and staff members are invited to join the ACC Learning Garden community, regardless of prior gardening experience.
Get Involved
There are multiple ways to participate in ACC Learning Garden activities. Please see a description of each garden and event type below and consider the estimated time commitment required for each.
Prior to starting any activity in the gardens, all participants MUST have submitted all required forms to the Office of Energy & Sustainability.
Pollinator Gardens (Low Time Commitment)
Help support pollinators on campus by volunteering to build or maintain one of ACC’s Pollinator Gardens. Participants can expect 1-2 hours of volunteering with opportunities posted to the Green Team calendar throughout the semester.
Currently, pollinator waystations exist at the following campuses:
- Cypress Creek
- Elgin
- Northridge
Adopt-a-Garden — Raised Garden Beds (High Time Commitment)
Individual students, faculty, and staff, entire classes, student organizations, and ACC departments may apply for a garden for one semester at a time. Garden bed ownership may be extended between the Fall and Spring semesters; however, new membership applications will be required at the start of each new Academic Year. *(Anticipate 3+ hours per week required).
Garden Beds will be available at the following campuses during the Spring 2026 Semester:
- Cypress Creek
- Elgin
- Highland
Apply for a Raised Garden Bed — Spring 2026
Apply for a Raised Garden Bed — Spring 2026
ACC student organizations, academic classes, and departments are invited to adopt a raised garden bed for one semester at a time, with the ability to extend for a full Academic Year. Please review all ACC Learning Garden Member Guidelines carefully before applying for a raised bed.
The initial application period will be open from February 13th until February 27th. If additional beds are available after February 27th, applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until all beds are claimed. Please note that ACC will not be able to fulfill every individual request. It is highly recommended that you apply as a group. Preference will be given to student-led applications and those that encourage collaboration amongst many people.
Resources Coming Soon — Members of the ACC Learning Garden group will be able to request supplies sponsored by the ACC Office of Energy & Sustainability in early March, 2026.
Garden Background
In August 2018, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service awarded ACC a grant to establish Monarch Butterfly Migration Corridor Gardens on four campuses – Eastview, Elgin, Hays, and Round Rock. Through these gardens, ACC provides learning experiences in natural resource conservation and attracts and maintains butterflies by strategically locating gardens within the butterfly’s migration path.
The Office of Energy and Sustainability also funded Monarch Butterfly Garden refreshers at Cypress Creek, Highland, and Northridge campuses in 2018.
Garden Features
Vegetables & Herbs: These are plants with edible leaves or fruits. Growing your own food not only tastes better, it may also help improve overall health and nutrition by decreasing exposure to pesticides and pollution related to food production. Plus, growing your own food can cut costs on groceries!
Perennials & Bulbs: Plants that live two or more years and often regrow each season in their native habitats. They create extensive root systems that help stabilize soil, prevent erosion, and resist drought.
Native & Adapted: These plants are well-suited for the growing conditions, either because they exist in the region naturally (native) or because they can thrive in the natural conditions without threatening native species (adapted).
Cacti & Succulents: These are drought-resistant plants that store water in their leaves and stems. Their tough skin or spines provide natural protection from most pests and predators and they are almost maintenance free!
View the Green Team Calendar for more information about upcoming events:
Learning Garden FAQs
How do I know what kind of garden activity is right for me?
Please consider the time commitment required to properly maintain a garden. Those choosing to adopt a raised garden bed will be responsible for maintaining it for an entire semester and should plan to spend approximately 3 hours per week checking in on and maintaining the raised bed.
Is there a fee to participate in the ACC Learning Gardens?
No, ACC students, faculty, and staff are not required to pay any fees to participate in ACC Learning Garden activities. Supplies and plants will be sponsored by the Office of Energy & Sustainability.
Do I need to purchase my own supplies for my garden bed?
No, garden participants may bring in additional supplies that are allowed in the Garden Member Guidelines, however there is no requirement to purchase your own supplies or plants. Periodic request forms will be available for garden members to select what they need.
What happens if I can no longer maintain my garden plot assignment?
If you are no longer able to maintain your raised garden bed for the duration of the semester, please contact green@austincc.edu as soon as possible. Your raised garden bed may be assigned to someone else.
Are community members allowed to participate in ACC Learning Garden activities?
At this time, ACC Learning Garden activities are open to ACC students, faculty, and staff only. If you are a local community member or garden group that is interested in collaborating on a project or educational workshop, please contact green@austincc.edu.
