In December I had the opportunity to participate in the United Nations Biodiversity Conference of the Parties COP15</a> in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Having engaged in the global conversation on plant conservation for several years, I was excited about the opportunity to attend the Biodiversity COP. At the meeting, dignitaries from across the globe gathered to finalize and adopt the Global Biodiversity Framework</a> (GBF). Negotiations focused on refining goals and targets as well as defining indicators to measure and monitor progress toward global biodiversity conservation. </p> I traveled with Director of Horticulture Phillip Douglas and we attended in the 7th summit on subnational governments and cities. The summit took place in parallel to the primary negotiations and while national delegates had much of the focus, mayors, governors and city governments across the globe shared the good progress they are making toward protecting biodiversity in their areas. </p> As representatives of the Gardens, we spent three days at COP15 listening and observing how the negotiations on the GBF proceeded and gathered ideas on how to enhance the impact and influence of the Gardens on a larger scale. </p> We connected with others from across the United States also in attendance representing their cities and organizations as well as met participants from around the world. We listened to talks on science and policy and immersed ourselves in the meeting. The National Geographic Society sponsored an immersive video exhibition highlighting the plight of biodiversity and inspiring visitors to take action. A large robotic plant created by Thijs Biersteker of Woven Studio</a> grew or wilted with the progress of negotiations each day, a fascinating visual representation of the challenges of such complicated negotiations.</p> The formal adoption of the GBF is a huge step toward slowing biodiversity loss on a global scale. There is now much work to do to implement its ambitious goals and targets. We returned home full of ideas for how to expand our reach both locally and globally. Hopefully our attendance is a step toward furthering collaborative ideas for the conservation of biodiversity in Denver. </p>
Imagine walking across the high plains desert, no water as far as the eye can see, the tumbleweeds and dust plumes kicked up by the wind the only movement in the landscape. Your path takes you across old concrete foundations that scar the land; reminders of a not-so-distant past. Then you spot it among the tangles of prairie grass and husks of dead trees, growing where nothing has any business being alive: a rose bush. </p> The film “Amache Rose” tells the story of this rose, planted 80 years ago by a prisoner at The Granada Relocation Center, or Camp Amache, the concentration camp in Granada, Colorado, that incarcerated Japanese Americans from 1942-1945. </p> This is the first film created by Denver Botanic Films®</span>, the new film department of Denver Botanic Gardens, and is based on archeologist Dr. Bonnie Clark’s work at Amache. Among the interviews in this short documentary are those of Amache survivors Carlene Tanigoshi Tinker and Minoru Tonai, who recount their experiences in the camp in the vast desert of southeast Colorado. “Amache Rose” has already been showcased in multiple film festivals, including the Denver Film Festival and the Nichi Bei Films of Remembrance Film Festival. </p> That these roses are still living in the high desert of Colorado without proper care or watering for the last 80 years is truly remarkable. Now Denver Botanic Gardens is caring for clippings of the rose in our greenhouses. In March 2022, the Amache National Historic Site Act was signed into law by President Biden, designating the site as part of the National Park System</a>. These are important steps in protecting the memory of Amache and sharing its story, so history does not repeat itself. </p> “Amache Rose” will be screened in the beautiful Sturm Family Auditorium in the Freyer – Newman Center. No additional tickets or reservations needed beyond admission to the Gardens. Check the film schedule</a> for the day of your next visit. </p> Watch the “Amache Rose” trailer</a>.</p> </p> This article was contributed by Film Director and Producer, Denver Botanic Films Billy Kanaly</strong>, who directed “Amache Rose.” </em></p> </p>
If you’ve wandered the wooded trails of Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms you may have noticed an innocuous rounded tent structure situated among the colorful flowers, the majestic Rocky Mountain foothills in the background. Maybe you’ve thought to yourself, “What the heck is that? A tent? A shed? An art installation?” It is, in fact, a yurt. “What’s a yurt?” you might ask, and the short answer is a rounded tent-like structure held up by a curved lattice wood frame and central beams. The longer answer, however, spans a history of nearly 3,000 years. </p> Yurt, also known as gers, were first built by the nomadic people of the central Asian steppes. The word yurt comes from the Turkic word referring to the imprint in the grass the tent leaves behind. Used for centuries as a reliable and easy-to-move housing unit, they became widespread throughout Mongolian and other central Asian horse cultures. Originally constructed out of stretched animal hides and a collapsible lattice framework, yurts could be broken down and moved easily from place to place. Not only did this allow for hunter-gathers to follow animal herds, it also allowed for warlords like Genghis Khan to quickly conquer most of Asia and parts of Europe. </p> Today they are still used most notably by the peoples of Mongolia, but they have also seen a surge in popularity across the United States. Now more commonly associated with hippies than warlords, they have become a popular housing alternative and offer a cozy and charming space. </p> Although a little more high-tech than its ancestors, equipped with AC to cool it in the summer and heat to warm it in the winter, our yurt is much the same—a charming alternative space for events or social gatherings. With room for up to 50 guests it’s a truly unique space for your next meeting or retreat and a private place get ready for a wedding. Surrounded by acres of gardens and farmland it also offers great opportunity to get away from the busyness of the office and reset in the stillness and peace of nature. </p> Inquire about reserving the yurt</a> for your event. </p>
Denver Botanic Gardens’ horticulture staff are frequently asked "What is there to see in winter?" The answer is "Plenty"! In addition to the bountiful winter-interest of dormant plants, persistent berries and coniferous cones and needles, there are also numerous indoor spaces to explore to satisfy your plant fix.</p> Immediately inside the lobby of the Boettcher Memorial Center </strong>you will find a beautifully designed planter filled with a variety of foliage plants. This space is a very low-light environment and can be a challenge for the horticulture team, but it also provides inspiration and ideas for visitors who struggle with similar low-light conditions in their own homes. Check back frequently to view new accent plants added for extra color.</p> At the west end of the Boettcher Memorial Center lobby, you will find the entrance to our largest indoor plant display – The Boettcher Memorial Tropical Conservatory</strong>. Home to hundreds of plants, this space highlights tropical plants from around the world. Palms and bananas stretch to the ceiling while species philodendrons, anthuriums and other tropical wonders fill the understory. There is always something in bloom</a> so come back often to observe how the space evolves through the year.</p> At the west end of the Tropical Conservatory, you will enter Marnie’s Pavilion</strong>. Here you will find more tropical plants surrounding a dramatic waterfall and stream. This space is accented with orchids and bromeliads rotated into the space from our behind-the-scenes collection greenhouses. A new addition to this space is a terrarium filled with many forms of butterwort (Pinguicula</em> spp.)</a>, a group of carnivorous plants that trap insects on their sticky leaves. More carnivorous plants can be seen on display in cases just as you enter the Orangery.</p> From January 12 to February 20, the Orangery</strong> will be filled with blooming orchids. This year’s Orchid Showcase</a> highlights not only the diversity of the orchid family, but also the diversity of the people involved in orchid research and cultivation. January is also a wonderful time to enjoy the fragrance of the blooming citrus trees.</p> Don’t forget to visit the Cactus and Succulent House</strong> in the southwest corner of the Gardens. Hundreds of plant specimens are on display in this cozy space.</p> In addition to the numerous plant displays, you can also visit the art galleries in the Freyer – Newman Center </strong>(included with admission) and before you leave, stop by the Helen Fowler Library</strong> (free admission to the library for members and the general public) to check out a book or two so you can continue your plant exploration at home.</p>
An innovative and impactful collaboration between Denver Botanic Gardens, Xcel Energy</a>, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)</a> and the City of Denver’s Office of Climate Action, Sustainability & Resiliency</a> is culminating in an extensive, 4.5-acre solar array and agrivoltaics display at Chatfield Farms</a>. Agrivoltaics, also known as agrisolar, is the combined use of land for agriculture and solar power generation. The electricity produced by this renewable source will not only provide enough power to operate Chatfield Farms, but also be used to provide electricity for low-income housing in Denver. </p> This sustainable energy initiative is an integral part of the first phase of construction for the Chatfield Farms Master Development Plan, scheduled to begin in June of 2023.</p> Enough energy will be supplied through this solar array that natural gas lines will not need to be extended to power the new or existing buildings at Chatfield Farms. Electric air-source heat pumps will heat and cool all buildings powered by the renewable solar energy produced on site. </p> Chatfield Farms will receive approximately 250,000 kWh per year of discounted power from the 1.2-megawatt array, which should be sufficient to provide electrical power for all existing and new buildings on the site. The remaining 750,000 kWh per year will provide electricity for low-income housing in Denver.</p> Xcel Energy has been assisting with upgrading the existing power line into Chatfield Farms to carry solar electricity to our campus and beyond to the electrical grid. This project demonstrates Xcel Energy’s commitment to partnering with customers and communities to advance clean energy production and further reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Colorado as the company works towards becoming a net-zero energy provider by 2050.</p> Beneath the new solar array, Chatfield Farms staff will build an agrivoltaics demonstration and production farm. The agrisolar farm will produce mixed vegetables, herbs and fruit for Chatfield Farms’ many food partners and the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. It will also provide educational resources and inspiration to visitors and farmers locally and globally. NREL is working to secure grants to fund research and equipment to fully develop the agrivoltaics farm. The research will enhance the energy-water-land nexus this project encompasses.</p> The solar array, along with a robust new composting program to eliminate green waste generated from farming and horticulture, puts Chatfield Farms at the forefront of sustainable operations for Denver Botanic Gardens. We are excited to incorporate these pioneering technologies on our historical farm, aligned with our five-year institutional strategic plan</a> and living out our core values of relevance, transformation and sustainability. </p>
Lore is knowledge gained through tradition or anecdote and passed down through the ages, from generation to generation. The lore of plants has long been an integral part of humanity; influencing our religion, medicinal remedies, the food we eat—and even our behaviors.</p> Can you recall lore passed down to you by an older family member or trusted teacher? Maybe something like “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” or the notion that you should “knock on wood?” Lore weaves itself into a healthy diet as easily as it does superstition.</p> Speaking of wood, the lore of elderberry</strong> (Sambucus spp.</em>) describes this woody plant as having properties of protection from witches. Early European stories attribute bad luck to cutting the wood of elderberry plants or crafting an infant’s crib from its wood. According to Grimms’ fairy tales, it is wise to keep a bouquet of elderflowers picked in midsummer on hand in case the devil wanders by. </p>
In September, I had the privilege of attending the 7th Global Botanic Garden Congress held in Melbourne, Australia, hosted by the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria. The meeting, organized through Botanic Gardens Conservation International, brings together botanic garden professionals from across the globe who are all passionate about plant conservation. This is the second Global Congress I have had the opportunity to attend. </p> This was my first trip to the Southern Hemisphere, and I landed on the first day of spring. After spending a few days adapting to the time change, I kicked off the conference with a full day field trip exploring local sites. We started with a trip to the Geelong Botanic Garden</a>. Their newly finished Australia garden beautifully showcases the varied ecosystems of the continent. </p> The afternoon consisted of several stops in the Anglesea Heath and a lunch break at a coastal golf club with wild kangaroos dotting the driving range. We were graciously hosted by the local Anglesea botanical club where we spied tiny terrestrial orchids, many varieties of Acacia and many additional plant genera that were all new to me. I enjoyed getting a feel for the ecosystem on our walk to the coast overlooking Bell’s Beach. The field trip provided for an opportunity not only to see the local flora and areas outside of Melbourne, but to meet and get to know other conference attendees.</p> The conference kicked off at the Melbourne convention center with a ceremony by local aboriginal representatives, who welcomed 500 delegates through song and dance. The three days of meeting were filled with talks, poster presentations, workshops and conversation focused on the theme “Influence and Action: Botanic gardens as agents of change.” There were talks highlighting conservation horticulture, education and engagement around conservation and climate change, and global strategic planning on how to enhance our collective impact for plant conservation. </p> As a participant in the Ecological Restoration Alliance Symposium focused on the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, I presented on our Chatfield Farms</a> riparian and meadow restoration projects. I also presented a rapid-fire talk on the North American Botanic Garden Strategy for Alpine Plant Conservation, encouraging attendees to use our strategy as a model for protecting vulnerable ecosystems in their region. </p> The meeting was over too quickly, and I wish I had the opportunity to learn and network more, but that is the nature of a good conference. It leaves you exhausted and thirsting for more. </p> I stayed on in Australia for a week after the conference ended. I was lucky enough to camp in the temperate rainforest with koalas walking through our campsite, to hike along the Great Ocean Walk and to see the Twelve Apostles</a>. I put my toes in the Southern Ocean, saw platypus in the wild, visited the little penguins on Phillip Island</a> and made sure to spend time at both host gardens: Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne</a> and Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne</a>. </p> I am grateful for the opportunity to have participated in the congress. I have new ideas of how to connect Denver Botanic Gardens to the broader conservation community for greater impact and reinforced professional connections with colleagues from across the globe. I look forward to the next Congress to be held in Singapore in 2024. </p>
Restoration is an integral part of land management and conservation. As natural disasters and human activity continue to impact biodiversity and wildlife habitat, it is becoming increasingly important to restore degraded land back into healthy ecosystems. Here at Denver Botanic Gardens, many scientists conduct research on ways to improve how we restore native plant communities in the Front Range. This year, I conducted this type of research down at Chatfield Farms, using native plant species brought in from all over the Western United States to see how well they grow here in Colorado. </p> With the help of many of the Research & Conservation Department’s wonderful seasonal staff, we planted over 5,000 seedlings from four different species native to the Front Range of Colorado and collected data on how the plants grew over the summer. We were pleased to see that they all did quite well in their first year! After just a few months in the ground, our seedlings were big and happy, which is good news for restoration efforts. Each seedling will continue to be monitored over the next several years to see how they perform long-term. </p> With climate change on the horizon, it’s important for land managers, like the Bureau of Land Management, to know what plants will survive here long term. Often it can be helpful to use species that are native to Colorado, but use of plants or seed that come from hotter and dryer regions in the county can help them to better adapt and survive long-term as temperatures get warmer and rain becomes less frequent. Other times, it is best to use plants or seeds that have been growing as close to the restoration site as possible, so that they are already well adapted to the environment they will be growing in. Knowing where to source plants from and where to plant them is an important research topic for bringing back native plant communities to Colorado! </p>
Check your calendars and get inspired for a party! All kinds of get-togethers are welcome, and our spaces can accommodate any size, small or large. The Gardens is an ideal venue for weddings, company picnics</a>, baby or bridal showers, holiday parties</a> and more. We offer traditional indoor spaces with A/V capabilities and some charming non-traditional spaces, such as the solarium, Water Garden Gazebo and Orangery (see gallery below). Talk to our event staff at York Street to help guide you to find a space</a> that will make your event extraordinary.</p> Our gardens are stunning any time of the year: in springtime with armloads of bright tulips, during the winter while covered with sparkling snow, abundant with blossoms in summer and with flourishes of color and crispness in autumn. Booking an event with us gives your guests access to explore our beautiful 24 acres. Hosting an event here will dazzle your guests.</p> Popular dates, weekends and certain spaces fill up quickly, so get in touch with us soon! Fill out our rental inquiry form</strong></a> or reach out to our team at York Street at private.events@botanicgardens.org</a> or call 720-865-3551.</p>
