We were pleased to gather for a virtual celebration in honour of the K.C. Irving Environmental Science Centre and Harriet Irving Botanical Gardens as well as the publication of the new book, A Natural Balance. 

For 20 years, these incredible spaces have become an important part of the student experience at Acadia – providing an architecturally brilliant space to connect, learn and understand our natural world.

In A Natural Balance, landscape architect Alex Novell and architectural historian John Leroux tell the story of the design, construction, and features of the Centre and Gardens at Acadia. Beautifully illustrated, the book is both an indispensable guide for anyone interested in the plants and trees of the Acadian forest and a visual record of a spectacular instance of North American collegiate architecture.

“It is difficult to explain how deeply certain places become intertwined with our lives,” says Sarah Lavallée, fourth-year Acadia student, and Arthur L. Irving Scholar. “The K.C. Irving Environmental Science Centre and Harriet Irving Botanical Gardens are more than research and community resources. These places are integral to the fabric that make up Acadia University, the town of Wolfville, and the generations of students, staff, community members, and visitors that frequent them. I hope readers feel the energy, the sense of wonder, and appreciation for the natural world that the K.C. Irving Environmental Science Centre inspires in all those who enter.”

Also available at the Acadia University Bookstore.