The University of Massachusetts Boston campus isn’t just home to students and faculty, but it’s home to plants and animals as well. The greenhouses on campus, located on the fourth floor of the Science Building, have been essential to the livelihood of these plants and animals since the campus opened back in the late 1960s.

The greenhouses are overseen by James Allen, who has been working at UMass Boston for almost 30 years. He performs shows to highlight the plants that call the greenhouse their home. Allen has also received many awards for his work in the greenhouse.

You can come to the greenhouses and take part in so much. The biology department uses the labs frequently when they are performing research on plants. Also, to demonstrate genetics and genetic modeling, the members of the greenhouse will grow cucumbers, beans, peas, corn, and other simple plants. In addition, classes that teach the evolutionary theory frequently will use the lab to discuss convergent and divergent evolution. Plus, all of the animals that reside around the school are managed by the staff at the greenhouses.

Science major or not, anyone can go to enjoy the greenhouses. This space is open to any student who comes to UMass Boston. The greenhouse staff encourages all members of the school community to come and explore the animals and plants that call the greenhouses their home. The greenhouses are common knowledge to the biology department, and faculty from multiple departments come to explore its services.

When going to the greenhouses, visitors find that it’s always warm, despite what the weather might be. With the sun shining down, the temperature will stay a moderate level to help keep the plants alive. The greenhouses contain many types of plants, such as, but not limited to, coffee trees, cinnamon trees, tobacco, and ginger. More or less may be growing, depending on what’s in bloom. They also have a guava tree, as well as 10 to 20 types of cacti.

Many of the plants that reside in the greenhouses have been growing since the environment was opened back in the late 1960s. However, the greenhouses are in danger of closing due to the plans to demolish the old science building in the next six months to a year. Plus, because of budget cuts taking place on campus, funding for the greenhouses has been reduced, meaning less repairs and less showing of the plants. The greenhouse will be at a great risk if allotments to the budget aren’t made.