I like the community college environment and find South Mountain very friendly and open to ideas, he says. Stan plans to expand Career Services at SMCC, increase the number of workshops for students, and expand awareness of the Maricopa Recruiter online job-search engine. More than 100 species of native cacti, succulents and other plants are featured in the xeriscape garden. Now, they are awaiting the company of 48 faux desert creatures such as the quail pictured above. The ceramic critters will be placed in the garden in the near future.
Benches allow for plenty of quiet time to reflect on nature.
Art Faculty Pat Manarin and adjunct faculty John Shaw worked on the design of the wall enclosing the garden as well as fine tuning rock additions, and elevations inside of the garden. About four years ago, Phil Belsterling designed the sidewalk in and around the gardens. Then, about two years ago, Marshall Logvin s biology class classified all of the species in the garden. The vegetation has been labeled. With the impending addition of beautiful ceramic lizards, snakes, rabbits, doves and more, the peaceful garden become even more serene.