Many are unaware of the trails on Colby’s campus, some students go four years without stepping foot in them, or they have only heard tales. Other factors may be stopping them like confusion about exactly what it is, where it goes, or if it is even safe. The “Arb” is a known term on campus yet it remains an underutilized and unrecognized resource. It is an invaluable natural space available to us that I believe should be cherished, cared for, and preserved. In my photos, I aimed to capture the serene, enticing beauty the arb holds as I found myself there countless times during my freshman year. It is a place I utilize to hang out with my friends, take a break from academic work, familiarize myself with fungi, and reconnect with nature. One of the reasons I chose a college in Maine was because of the beauty the state holds and having a portion of that within a few minutes walk from my dorm helps inspire me. The Perkins Arboretum and Bird Sanctuary may only contain 128 protected acres, but the 472 acres of Woodlands to explore on Colby’s campus keep me grounded.

      - Rachel Hernandez '27

These projects were made possible thanks to the support of the Lyons Arts Lab at Colby College in Waterville, Maine.