Full of colorful succulents and vegetation, the CNSB greenhouse sprung back to life thanks to the Tri-Beta Biological Honor Society. Members collaborated with CNSB faculty to modernize the greenhouse, which had been abandoned since 2022.

Over the past year, the greenhouse fell into a dilapidated state. Plant overgrowth covered the walls with dead leaves littering the floors. The scientific equipment left in the greenhouse collected dust. The air became rank with the smell of expired chemicals and fertilizers. 

Tri-Beta Biological Honor Society decided the greenhouse needed an update. Professor Joydeep Bhattacharjee serves as the faculty advisor for the Tri-Beta Honors Society. Along with Tri-Beta President Niles Majeste, Bhattacharjee oversaw the renovation project, which began last December. 

“The greenhouse was not in a good shape at all. Everything had died with the summer that we had,” Bhattacharjee said. “There was no cooling system. There was no heating system. So, everything was just dead and needed to be revamped.” 

According to Majeste, a senior pre-med biology major, the organization removed approximately 300 pounds of dead plants before potting around 700 new plants and over one hundred germinating seeds.

The updated greenhouse now hosts hundreds of fresh herbs, vegetables, and succulents 

 “All of the succulents and some of the vegetable plants will be available for sale in April for an annual Plant Sale hosted by Tri Beta,” Majeste said.

The refurbished greenhouse now offers an opportunity for biology professors to conduct research on the function of plants, how they grow, their development and much more right down the hall from their offices. 

The greenhouse allows professors to teach more in depth to students because it allows students to see, touch, smell and taste plant life rather than looking them on a slide.

Additionally, the greenhouse opens opportunities for students of any major to come and learn about the hobby of planting and cultivating plant life.

The greenhouse also aids the community. For example, the building provides year-round access to seeds and tools that would allow nursing homes to bring their residents for physical therapy and mental stimulation.

“The new greenhouse offers a unique opportunity for a hands-on approach to biology,” freshman pre-med biology major Gabriel Stephan said. “It allows us to see how the concepts we are learning about in class apply to our own little forest in the CNSB.”