Best of CASE District VII Award
 

Institution: University of California, Davis

Title of entry: Arboretum Waterway Reimagined: Communicating Construction on a Beloved Campus Landmark

About this entry: The UC Davis Arboretum is a cherished campus landmark, offering students, faculty, and visitors a scenic retreat filled with walking paths, diverse plant collections, and wildlife. At its heart lies the Arboretum Waterway, a defining feature that enhances the landscape but has long struggled with stagnant water, algae blooms, and poor water quality.

To restore this vital resource, UC Davis launched the Arboretum Waterway Flood Protection and Habitat Enhancement Project, requiring the waterway to be drained, dredged, and reshaped—an alarming prospect for students, faculty, and visitors who cherish the resource despite its issues.

To proactively address concerns and foster understanding, we created an engaging explainer video to distill the complex restoration process into a clear, accessible narrative. Our goal was to educate the campus community and beyond, emphasizing the project’s long-term benefits for flood control, water quality, and habitat enhancement.

Using a mix of visuals and simple storytelling, we transformed technical information into an engaging narrative. The video was distributed across UC Davis digital platforms, shared in campus presentations, and integrated into outreach efforts.

Widely viewed, the video significantly reduced misconceptions and pushback about the project, garnered thousands of views, engaged stakeholders, and strengthened campus trust in the restoration effort. The project is now seen as a model for sustainable water management, and continues to serve as a model educational tool for high-impact construction projects.

By turning a potentially controversial infrastructure project into a story of renewal and resilience, we successfully shifted public perception and inspired community support.