KAUST’s International Arboretum on Safaa Island is newly open for public enjoyment and education following a six-month program of expansion and refurbishment. The arboretum – bounded by Bayt Al Hikma Boulevard, Salmani Street, Discovery Boulevard and the Cricket Field – now contains a tree representing each of the 120 countries that have contributed talent to KAUST over its first 12 years. KAUST community members are invited to go on a treasure hunt for their tree(s).
Originally dedicated by Founding President Choon Fong Shih in the autumn of 2009 when KAUST had 55 contributing countries, the arboretum well symbolizes three aspects of the University: its international diversity, its commitment to sustainability, and its educational character.Accompanying each tree representing a country is a stone tag displaying the flag of the country and a QR code that will take a visitor to a webpage for more information about the associated tree.
[Note: In our tropical climate not every country can be represented by a species of tree that is native to it, and some tree species in the arboretum represent more than one country.]
In addition to new trees and signage, the park has new:
- Serpentine brick walkways to guide visitors closer to the new trees, new irrigation
- Saint Augustine broad-bladed grass that is very robust to feet
- Path lighting on bollards
- Decorative lighting of the gazebo that can be activated for special events
- Electrical power distributed to the gazebo for amplification
- High-amperage outlet near the adjacent cricket field to supply power for temporary fairs, films, foodfests, and other community events.
The renovation was managed by a KAUST FM team of Eng. Khalid AlSaadi (pictured with his native tree) and horticulturalist Majed El Mir, under Matthew Early, in collaboration with Prof. David Keyes in the Office of the President. It was sponsored by President Chan. An interpretive commemorative guide book is under design with Red Sea Farms. The park will be managed by Community Life and can be booked for private functions at GetEngaged@kaust.edu.sa.
There will be formal rededication of the International Arboretum in the Fall as part of a community event (watch for the announcement!) and it will play a feature role in the post-pandemic return of the Parade of Nations in the Spring of 2022!
Meanwhile, feel free to stroll, picnic, and learn some new trees in one of the few parts of the KAUST compound with dense natural shade.
Scan this barcode for a detailed map of the arboretum.
