by Ryndi Greenwell

For the past couple of years, there has been no official botany club on campus. STEM students like botany majors are often so overwhelmed with classwork that mingling with their peers can fall on the back burner. The new campus botany club has the goal to remedy that issue.

While the president of the club is technically Holly Popplewell, a senior botany major, she emphasizes that the club structure is more like a council. She thinks that rather than a group with specific leaders, it would be better to ensure all club members feel they can contribute ideas equally. 

“We go through all our classes hardly knowing any botany students. It can be hard to connect,” Popplewell said. 

One of the first club meetings revolved around cutting and planting small succulent plants provided by club members, and the most recent meeting included a plant geography game. The club also wants to emphasize that non-botany majors are more than welcome to join. Club member Bianka Rodriguez, a third-year botany major, encourages plant lovers from all backgrounds to join. 

“We just want to talk to people who have similar interests, plants are very fun!” Rodriguez said. 

Not only do they chat and play games in this club, but they also plan to organize volunteer efforts and maybe have a section in the community garden. They also expressed interest in club outings, such as conference trips or even camping. 

“We are hoping to do volunteer work, and get outdoors more,” Rodriguez said. 

If someone has a green thumb, or wants it to be greener, the botany club welcomes them with open arms — no matter what one’s major or expertise level is.The club meets every other Friday from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the Natural Resources building, room 201. Check out the QR code below for more information. 

Ryndi is a reporter for LJ that also loves singing, cooking, and painting. Contact her rg315@humboldt.edu