My time at Denver Botanic Gardens has been a unique educational experience that I know will prove to be a pivotal moment in my horticulture career. I applied to the Rock Alpine Collections Intern position knowing that both parts of this position were rare opportunities and would allow me to grow in a multitude of ways. </p> As an Indiana native I was wholly unfamiliar with the flora of Colorado, especially alpine plants, and saw this as an opportunity to expand my plant repertoire. I have also had a growing interest in plant collections and the importance of well-organized accessions, so this internship seemed like a perfect marriage of concepts for me.</p> My weekly activities were two-fold. I had to assist in the maintenance of the Rock Alpine Garden as well as meet with my supervisor, Mike Kintgen, curator of alpine collections, for mapping sessions. The weekly mapping sessions involved Mike working down area specific plant lists I prepared and marking the plants’ conditions while I mapped the living plants on a physical map. We also often try and make notes of any important characteristics of the plant, like whether it is alive and thriving or alive but struggling. That way in the future it isn’t a surprise if the plant marked as “condition dwindling” has died. I would then use this data to update our data bases and digital maps to accurately reflect the garden’s current state. </p> This process gave me a lot of opportunities to learn the living collections as well as significantly improve my understanding of the Gardens’ collections systems. I also found that I greatly enjoyed the process of mapping and entering data. It’s a repetitive but satisfying process, and this experience has made me truly consider that plant records could be a good fit for my future career.</p> The opportunities didn’t stop at my work at the garden however, as we had weekly activities that gave the interns ample opportunities to learn. These activities included classes on plant families, information sessions on projects at the Gardens, meetings with department heads and weekly field trips. I found the field trips to be, generally, the most beneficial. They provided a great opportunity to see Colorado and expand our understanding of the different live zones, microclimates and native plant population. It also granted opportunities to work with staff with unique and fascinating skill sets that we otherwise may not have been able to work with. </p> This internship is an amazing opportunity, and I am grateful that I was chosen to be a part of the great work the garden has been doing.</p> This article was contributed by Harrison Smith, the 2022 Rock Alpine Intern.</em> </p>
When I was accepted to intern at Denver Botanic Gardens, I packed my bag and came to Colorado. This summer was filled with new experiences and learning in a way I never thought imaginable. </p> I was fully enveloped in horticultural therapy</a> right from the beginning. With a variety of programs, I was not only able to meet and interact with different groups of people, but I was able to learn from them as well. For the individuals I saw consistently every week, I witnessed amazing progress, with assistive devices slowly being forgotten used less and efficiency blooming. Each experience illuminated new insights for these individuals and inspired me in unimaginable ways. </p> I also had the opportunity to shadow the Chatfield Farms Veterans Farm Program</a>. My experience here has completely solidified the idea of working in horticultural therapy, and I hope to be back soon. I also had the opportunity to work with individuals from Craig Hospital over the duration of my 10 weeks at the Gardens. Working with these individuals was a highlight of my summer. They are bright, funny, dedicated individuals that truly made this an incredible experience.</p> When I wasn’t working with these groups, Denver Botanic Gardens offered classes, field trips and workshops to the intern program so we could get a well-rounded education here. I climbed my first ever mountain to see a natural alpine life zone, visited a variety of parks and natural areas to learn about wildflowers, learned about the different plant families and their classifications and most importantly, I met and worked with the most amazing people. </p> I learned a lot while at the Gardens – about myself, about life and Colorado. I will continue to use everything I gained from this experience in the future, and I feel extremely lucky that I had the ability to immerse myself in the Rocky Mountain Region. </p> This article was contributed by Alivia Arlia, the 2022 Therapeutic Horticulture Intern.</em></p>
Denver Botanic Gardens Guild is an organization centered around herbs. The group staffs the Herbs Division at Spring Plant Sale, provides support in the York Street and Chatfield Farms herb gardens and harvests and dries herbs to use in Guild creations. Herb education and outreach are a large part of the Guild’s mission.</p> The Guild’s members craft numerous products that are sold in the Shop at the Gardens</a>. Cat toys filled with a mixture of dried catnip and catmint engage the fussiest felines. Our dog biscuits are approved by canines across the country. Bakery goods and hot drinks are enhanced by the five sugars we create: orange chocolate, lemon, peppermint, lavender and rose petal. Complex herb vinegars fly off the shelf. The stock changes by season but includes the pale lavender chive blossom vinegar, the mellow orange mango ginger vinegar, the mahogany-colored Black Mission fig balsamic vinegar, golden tarragon vinegar, deep purple basil vinegar, the beloved Denver Botanic Gardens Guild Herbal Blend and many others. </p>
We’ve all been there: Work is piling up and your staff seem to be more stressed than ever. It’s time to stop and hit refresh. </p> Doing so can be as simple as scheduling some teambuilding or by creating an opportunity to get your staff out of the office, away from the stress, and back to a happy baseline. </p> Chatfield Farms</a> offers you and your staff or coworkers a natural hideaway to refresh and reengage with each other in a healthy and sustainable environment. From luncheons to teambuilding and corporate parties to retreats, we offer a wide range of natural space to refresh your mindset and help your colleagues and staff reconnect.</p> One of our favorite spaces is the yurt, which can host between 20-35 people as a central gathering space for an out-of-office experience. If the occasion calls for a luncheon or party, the Green Farm Barn, Deer Creek Stables, an 1870s schoolhouse and the Polly Steele Center are perfect for large to small events that can be catered.</p> Each site at Chatfield Farms is surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens and views of the foothills. Take advantage of the myriad of trails we have running through the property and explore nature, or if you’re looking for something a little more engaging, Corn Maze</a> is a fun challenge for any team.</p> Whatever your need, we would love to accommodate you at Chatfield Farms. </p>
On April 10, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announced a proposed rule to remove Sclerocactus glaucus</em>, a small barrel cactus found in the Colorado and Gunnison River Basins in Western Colorado, from the list of federally threatened and endangered species. Through data collected and analyzed by Denver Botanic Gardens’ scientists led by Michelle DePrenger-Levin, M.S., population biology research associate, it is projected that populations are stable and resilient. The proposed rule has a 60-day public comment period and barring any valid reasons not to proceed, the delisting will go into effect June 2023.</p> In collaboration with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the Gardens has a 10-year post-delisting plan to monitor and test the resiliency of the cactus, its ability to live in current populations, or shift as climate change alters habitat conditions and report findings annually to the Service.</p>
