Kent State’s campus greenhouse known as Herrick Conservatory resides just behind Cunningham Hall and right across from the library. While many students walk right pass it on their way to class, a lot of them are not aware of the different activities and resources that are inside.

Student worker Brady Holk says that the conservatory houses a lot of volunteer work. Students come in to help upkeep the conservatory. They perform various tasks such as feeding critters and collecting seeds. During the spring semester a week before finals many students pitch in at the conservatory to help produce a plant sale.

The conservatory keeps its doors open for these volunteers every Friday between 11am and 4pm. The service fraternity Apha Phi Omega commits to coming in each Friday to offer their volunteering services for the conservatory.

Though many student come to the conservatory to volunteer and help keep it clean and running, there are also many other students who use the conservatory as an opportunity to take advantage of resources. Ecology students use the conservatory’s main hallway to store plants for their courses.

However, many students outside of the biological sciences major find ways to use the conservatory as well. Architecture student have visited the greenhouse to learn more about designing a greenhouse and eco design itself. Even art students have stopped in to use flowers in the greenhouse as inspiration for their drawings.

It’s just a breath of fresh air. It allows you to distress from your classes. It’s just so nice to just sit in here and just absorb everything. It makes you forget all the stresses you go through during the semester

Brady Holk, KSU Conservatory Student Worker and Botany major

The conservatory may provide many resources and opportunities for students on campus, but one thing people may not think of is how the greenhouse can be a great way to let go of stress from classes.

Brady Holk says, “It’s just a breath of fresh air. It allows you to distress from your classes. It’s just so nice to just sit in here and just absorb everything. It makes you forget all the stresses you go through during the semester.”

The conservatory is open Monday-Friday from 9am-5pm.