As promised from last week, I will highlight some of the resources at UC Berkeley that are helpful for becoming more socially and environmentally aware. Note that while many of these resources are specific to UC Berkeley, you can find similar resources at other colleges.
Though often not emphasized in class, social and environmental wellness are just as important to our well-being as physical wellness. Environmental wellness, as defined by Margaret Swarbrick in her research publication Wellness in the Eight Dimensions, is surrounding oneself in “stimulating environments that support well-being.” These environments can be gardens, parks, historical sites, or even museums. As a college student, the pressures of coursework, job searching, and extracurricular activities can add up. Luckily, at UC Berkeley, you are surrounded by some of the world’s most beautiful parks and cultural landmarks, most of which are free or low cost. The tranquility of Berkeley’s countless mountains, trails, and gardens can restore peace to a hectic life of studying.
Social wellness is defined by Swarbrick as “developing a sense of connection, belonging, and a well-defined support system.” At a school with over 40,000 students, it is very easy to feel lost in the crowd- both literally in being engulfed in the crowd of flyering Patagonia-wearing consulting club members, a capella singers, and students running to class at Sproul, and figuratively in feeling like there’s no one you can turn to in times of need. You can, however, make a large college feel like a small community by joining groups that appeal to your interests. Last week, I highlighted Berkeley’s vibrant club community; in this article, I will highlight two lesser-known social wellness resources: the Multicultural Community Center and the Strawberry Canyon Recreation Center.
Environmental
UC Berkeley Botanical Garden
Description: Located at the top of the Berkeley Hills, the UC Berkeley Botanical Garden is home to flora and fauna from every continent. The garden is divided into different sections, each of which represents the plants from a specific continent. There is also a variety of specialty gardens with unique plants, such as the carnivorous plant garden, Chinese herbal medicine garden, and rainforest garden. The garden is very walkable: there are multiple trails connecting the different gardens.
My Experience: I discovered the botanical garden during my senior year; I wished I had discovered it earlier! Because the garden is located on the top of a hill, the weather is usually very mild, not too warm or cold. I enjoyed the garden’s informative exhibits: each section had small signs that would give background on the history and uses of the plants. The calm environment and mild weather make the garden the perfect spot for a picnic: I once had lunch at the picnic areas. Please visit the gardens as much as you can while you’re a student; admission for students is free.
Links: https://botanicalgarden.berkeley.edu/
Note: The garden is currently only open by reservation due to the pandemic; visit the website above to book a visit.
Fire Trails
Description: Stretching from the southeast neighborhoods of Berkeley to the top of Berkeley’s mountains, the Fire Trails is a tour through the best of Berkeley’s undisturbed natural scenery, from dry brush to evergreen forests. If you are brave enough to make it to the top of the mountains, you can see a breathtaking view of the entire San Francisco Bay Area: the shining lights of San Francisco skyscrapers, the Berkeley Campanile, and the waters of the bay.
My Experience: This trail is not for the faint of heart; it spans over 7 miles and goes through some rocky, steep terrain. However, there are certain sections that are beginner-friendly; the parts of the trail before you reach the steep mountains are best for beginners. I recommend hiking the trail during the early afternoon before temperatures rise and visibility decreases. Because it is easy to get lost on this trail, hike with a group of friends. Bring plenty of water, and wear comfortable hiking shoes!
Links: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/strawberry-canyon-fire-trail (contains map of the trail)
Other Resources:
Berkeley Rose Garden: Rose garden located at the top of the hills in North Berkeley. Free entry. (Note: Currently closed due to the pandemic; check website for updates.)
https://www.cityofberkeley.info/Parks_Rec_Waterfront/Trees_Parks/Parks__Berkeley_Rose_Garden.aspx
UC Berkeley Campus Gardens: Fruit and vegetable gardens located in multiple locations around campus. Free entry; you can volunteer in the gardens on certain days.
https://food.berkeley.edu/resources/campus-gardens/
Tilden Park: Park with a botanical garden, picnic areas, and hiking trails. (Note: Certain attractions may be closed due to the pandemic.)
Social
Multicultural Community Center
Description: The Multicultural Community Center (MCC) serves as both an educational resource to learn about multiculturalism and a community-organized space that is inclusive for all. The center is home to numerous student-centered programs, such as art exhibits, slam poetry nights, and conversations with guest speakers, that help foster understanding about different cultures, their history, and their fight for equality. If you are eligible for work-study, you can apply to be an intern for the center and help organize these events! All events are free and open to anyone.
My Experience: I went to a MCC event with my roommates from freshman year and was impressed by the quality of the events and inspired by the MCC’s mission of community solidarity. During the event, students performed slam poetry, speaking from the heart about their experiences as minority, first-generation college students. It was very eye-opening to listen to the lived experiences of students from different backgrounds: learning about both the joys and hardships from these students humanized them in ways that a large classroom setting couldn’t achieve. There is usually free healthy, sustainable food at their events, as well!
Links: https://cejce.berkeley.edu/mcc (information about events)
COVID-19 Resource Guide: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yYX-9cuedPieSnpWIhQPIW0FdK2BeAstVwqceCDrbKg/edit
Strawberry Canyon Recreation Center
Description: Located in the Berkeley Hills, Strawberry Canyon Recreation Center is home to a pool and ropes course. The heated pool has 3 lanes for lap swimming and a locker room with showers. Spanning the redwood forests of the center, the ropes course allows visitors to climb and swing among the redwoods. The recreation center is perfect for hosting a hangout (quite literally) with friends. To visit, you need to either be a member of Rec Sports or purchase a day pass. The ropes course is only open to certain classes; check the Rec Sports website for details.
My Experience: Though I haven’t been to the recreation center, I have heard great reviews from friends who went and am looking forward to visit when it reopens!
Links: https://recsports.berkeley.edu/facilities/strawberry-canyon-recreation-pool/ (recreation center)
https://recsports.berkeley.edu/event/ropes-course-public-open-day-2/ (ropes course)
Note: The recreation center is currently closed due to the pandemic.
Other Resources:
Diversity and Inclusion: Contains links to resources supporting diversity and inclusion for minority, LGBT, and disabled communities. https://diversity.berkeley.edu/
Student Life: Contains links to resources such as New Student Services and the ASUC. http://guide.berkeley.edu/student-life/
Resources:
Link to master spreadsheet of all resources (must be logged in to your UC Berkeley account to view): https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tvkRxcm7bLCUDffHdOYJFZ3JiHZKClPnGFJi41O_P6M/edit#gid=669577271
Preview for What’s Ahead:
I’ll be talking about how to make your CS job application stand out in my next article! There will also be another article on a surprise topic- stay tuned.