Conservation & Storytelling

Conservation is the careful maintenance and upkeep of natural resources to prevent them from disappearing. A natural resource is the physical supply of something that exists in nature, such as soil, water, air, plants, animals and energy. At the Gardens, we care for all these, especially plants and their environment. 

How does storytelling relate to conservation and why does it matter? We can harness the power of storytelling to inspire a love for wildlife and the environment. If we read a wildlife story and connect emotionally with characters and their happiness and struggles, we are more likely to empathize with real-life conservation challenges faced by nature and wildlife today. 

Storytelling provides insights into the past, bridging generations, and empowering communities to be stewards of the land. Storytelling transcends boundaries and makes conservation accessible to everyone.

By showcasing the beauty and fragility of nature through narratives, we empower individuals to become guardians of the environment and inspire the next generation of nature enthusiasts. Whether it's planting native wildflowers to support pollinators or advocating for protected habitats, every action inspired by a story contributes to the collective effort of a wilder future.

Visit York Street and enjoy stories of all kinds from fiction to non-fiction at the Helen Fowler Library. The Gardens also produces films related to conservation and stewardship, on view in the Sturm Family Auditorium and included with admission. Additionally, you may encounter a Learning Cart while onsite, where you can get a closer look at elements of nature.

We also hope to inspire future generations to engage in environmental stewardship and conservation by connecting them to plants and the world around them. In Mordecai Children's Garden at York Street, kids can explore a place just for them. At Chatfield Farms, they can hear more about the lives of butterflies from experts at the Butterfly House or participate in Strolling Stories, which combines story time and nature hikes. And at the Plains Conservation Center in Aurora, visitors of all ages can learn about life on the prairie, from the wildlife living there now to the homesteaders and Cheyenne people who lived there in the 1800s.

On your next visit to the Gardens, be sure to dig into some of nature’s stories. 

This article was contributed by Laboratory Technician Theresa Melhem.