G. Douglass Cofrin Gateway
Now Entering
the Arboretum
The gateway to 290 acres of nature.
Nestled in the center of campus, the G. Douglass Cofrin Gateway is a green corridor that links campus to the 7+ miles of trails in the Cofrin Memorial Arboretum. It's a combination of planted pollinator habitat and “old field,” a mixture of grasses, shrubs and other plants that have colonized abandoned agricultural fields.
Conservation Efforts
Our commitment to conservation is at the heart of everything we do at Eco U® in the Cofrin Memorial Arboretum.
Pollinator Plantings
In spring 2018, we began working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on a five-acre pollinator planting to improve wildlife habitat, learning opportunities and campus aesthetics. The pollinator planting successfully converted land dominated by the invasive reed canary grass to a diverse mix of wildflowers and native grasses that bloom throughout different periods of the growing season.
Ongoing Efforts
Our work is never done! Continuing efforts are being made to build on plant diversity and pollinators that use this space by identifying enhancement zones and installing plant plug species that aren't currently found within the planting.
Witness The
Wildlife
Take a break from the buzz of college life with a stroll through the Gateway.
Just south of Mary Ann Cofrin Hall is the Gateway trailhead. Here, you can take a breath and enjoy views of plant and wildlife. You might see white-tailed deer, red-tailed hawks, red foxes and grassland songbirds like eastern bluebird and the clay-colored sparrow. The Gateway also offers a serene spot to observe the changing seasons, from the vibrant blooms of spring to the golden hues of autumn. It's the perfect spot to relax and reconnect with nature, right in the heart of campus.
G. Douglass Cofrin
The Cofrin Arboretum Gateway was dedicated in August 2003 to commemorate the generosity of G. Douglass (Doug) Cofrin and his family. He was instrumental in establishing the Cofrin Arboretum.
In Douglass' words: "We wanted something outdoors, not just some museum piece; something people would get fun out of…" Today, the Cofrin Arboretum is one of Green Bay's most popular destinations for hiking, biking and nature appreciation, fulfilling Doug's hope and continuing to provide a source of enjoyment and education for thousands of people every year.
Meet Your Guide
Meet Andrew LaPlant, UW-Green Bay alum and Natural Areas Manager. In addition to leading ecological restoration efforts, he also facilitates outdoor classroom experiences for students. If you have questions about our Mahon Woods and Creek, he can help!