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Living Laboratory Signage Project

The Living Laboratory Signage Project is a multi-phase project that intends to transform the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s campus into a walking arboretum—a living laboratory. By installing educational signage along existing pathways, visitors and students can engage more with the diverse habitats on our campus and become more knowledgeable about sustainability initiatives and its impacts. Unique habitats such as our managed wetlands at Cypress Lake, urban stormwater infrastructure, pollinator gardens, special species, and our urban forests are beneficial to the campus and community, yet many do not fully understand the ecological or social values of such projects. The interpretive signs involve using high quality graphic panels on a mounted sign, creating attractive displays in strategic locations. The goal of the interpretive signage is to showcase the interconnectedness of various areas on campus and educate visitors about south Louisiana’s biodiversity, environment, and plant and animal species.

These signs will tell the story of UL Lafayette’s environmental history and landscapes to foster an environment that promotes curiosity, research, and encourages the community to pursue knowledge. The interpretative sign’s participatory design sparks curiosity and leads users to investigate and learn for themselves.

Phase I is Underway!

As of Summer 2024 there have been 3 large and 8 small signs installed across campus.

  • The large Pollinator Habitat Sign and Tree Sign can be found between Judice Rickels and Wharton Hall.
  • Another Pollinator Habitat sign can be found at the Hamilton Hall Pollinator Habitat.
  • The small Pollinator Habitat No Mow, No Spray signs can be found in Pollinator Habitats at the Judice Rickels Pollinator Habitat, Wharton Hall Pollinator Habitat, Hamilton Hall Pollinator Habitat, Hilliard Art Museum Pollinator Habitat, and Bourgeois Coulee Cajun Prairie.

To learn more about Pollinators and Pollinator Habitats across campus please visit our Pollinator webpage.

To learn more about campus trees and Tree Campus USA please visit our Tree Campus webpage.

We would like to thank CenterPoint Entergy and Coypu Foundation for funding the Living Lab Signage Project so we can turn campus into a living lab with informational signs that call attention to the special landscapes of our beautiful campus.