FALL 2020 A QUARTERLY MAGAZINE FOR MEMBERS OF BOTANIC GARDENS It was probably an illusion, a broad sense that we had a handle on what to expect in the future. Some people map out their life in segments, with very specific benchmarks. Others, like me, are always on the lookout for serendipity. However, for much of our society and within most institutions and businesses, the ability to plan for at least the next few years has been foundational. Even in an era of constant technological and social change, we seemed to know pretty much what to expect.

Then came 2020. Many veils have been pulled back, and each of us is contemplating our own role in the world and our obligations to the future. Speculation and even conspiracy theories abound. Only one thing is certain: Our collective action will shape the years ahead, for good or ill.

So why not focus on persevering toward a better age?

There is something happening at the Gardens every day as visitors arrive, bearing the weight of the world, and then walking lighter as they stroll through tableaus of nature. Maybe this new world will inspire a stronger and more respectful relationship between humankind and our earth. Plants are a great arbiter.

The Gardens’ work over the past decade on diversity and inclusion issues has accelerated because of a broad awakening to the need for social justice. We seek to create gardens for all people; why not make that a universal concept?

We have experienced shortages and scarcity. Maybe we can take that as a lesson about sustainability. As an example, many take unlimited water availability for granted; while simultaneously more and more people have realized water’s sometimes scarce and precious role. The One World One Water Center, our project with Metropolitan State , exists to educate and inspire people all over the globe to protect access to this essential element of life itself.

It’s notable that vegetable gardening became a trend during the pandemic, but why not continue to grow more of our food locally and use more public spaces while we are at it? Our Urban Food Initiatives team has been leading that charge for years.

The list goes on, and it will be different for each of us, our families, organizations and communities. We have choices every day that truly matter. The more we lean in on work to make the future brighter, the better the chances for it to happen.

Brian Vogt Denver Botanic Gardens CEO ISSUE 4, 2020 Denver Botanic Gardens 1007 York St., Denver, CO 80206 September 28 – Mother’s Day 2021, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., last admission 4 p.m. Pre-purchased tickets and advance member passes only. Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms 8500 West Deer Creek Canyon Rd., Littleton, CO 80128 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., last admission 4 p.m. Pre-purchased tickets and advance member Contents passes only. Center for Global Initiatives .... Contact Us General Information: 720-865-3500 Plant Portrait ...... Class Registration: 720-865-3580 Donations: 720-865-3528 Chatfield Farms ...... Gift Shop: 720-865-3595 Membership Services: 720-865-3525 Featured Garden ...... Private Events: 720-865-3551 Trips & Travel ...... Volunteering: 720-865-3609 Helen Fowler Library: 720-865-3570 Couch Tomatoes ...... Gardening Help from Master Gardeners Private Tours ...... Kathryn Kalmbach Herbarium Special Events ...... Sam Mitchel Herbarium of Fungi The Shop at the Gardens ...... Editor: Tiffany Coleman Graphic Designer: Nick Elias Development ...... Photographer: Scott Dressel-Martin Horticulture ...... The mission of Denver Botanic Gardens is to connect people with plants, especially plants Research ...... from the Rocky Mountain region and similar regions around the world, providing delight and Exhibitions, Art and Learning enlightenment to everyone. Engagement ...... Family Corner ...... Education ...... The Gardens is grateful for funds from Tributes ...... the Scientific & Cultural Facilities District (SCFD), which enable us to Donor List ...... expand services and enhance the quality of our programs and exhibits. Trustees ...... CENTER FOR GLOBAL INITIATIVES

BUILDING BOTANICAL BONDS with Afghanistan By Sarada Krishnan, Ph.D., Director of Horticulture & Center for Global Initiatives Afghanistan is one of the few countries that Key factors for this project to be successful does not have a botanical garden. This and self-sustainable over decades—even gaping hole was brought to the forefront when centuries—will be in making these botanical difficulties arose after seeds and saplings from gardens resilient, low-cost and easy to the Green Legacy Hiroshima (GLH) campaign maintain, even when resources are lacking. were sent to Afghanistan. The lack of botanical This network of botanic gardens will be gardens severely hinders Afghan researchers operated by universities, and to date, three and scientists in their efforts to preserve and universities in Afghanistan have signed up improve the country’s biodiversity in the long to participate: Paktia University, Bamyan term. To address this, the Afghan Fellowship University and Kabul University. Legacy Project (AFLP) of the United Nations An inaugural seminar on botanic garden Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) networks for Afghanistan was held at the third along with Emerging and Developing EDEN Seminar at the Shizenkan University Economies Network (EDEN) Seminars have in Japan on January 31, 2020. Following formed an initiative to catalyze the creation of that, an international advisory committee was a botanical garden network in Afghanistan. formed. The committee was to have met in Assisting with this initiative are experts from Tokyo in May this year, but due to COVID-19, Denver Botanic Gardens, San Diego Botanic a webinar was held on May 14. Garden, Botanic Gardens Conservation International and other renowned botanical These past few months as we have grappled and conservation experts. with the societal impacts of the pandemic, the importance of our connection to nature The initiative’s vision is to form a network of and plants has never been more vital. Looking botanical gardens dedicated to the research of to the future, we hope through this project plants relevant to food, medicine, horticulture to connect the Afghani people with their and ecological integrity in Afghanistan. natural heritage.

Top photo by EJ Wolfson, Unsplash.com. Inset photo by Sarada Krishnan. 2 | FALL 2020 PLANT PORTRAIT

THE HORTICULTURAL FORTUNE TELLER By Sonya Anderson, Horticulture Specialist – Plant Select® & Pollinator Gardens (Low music plays. The lights are dim.) Now yellow strawflowers at the tips. Definitely that we have the proper atmosphere, let’s gaze hardy, in full to partial sun, with little into our crystal ball. What does Plant Select® supplemental water. The plant looks to be two have for us in 2021...? At first, I see only fog. to three feet high by maybe four feet wide. But then it clears, revealing a lovely mounding But what is it? Shhh, I can hear something, a plant covered in dusty pink flowers—so many word. It’s unfamiliar. It sounds like “Hokubetsi.” I can’t see the leaves! A foot tall and a little Yes, that’s it. Hokubetsi. That must be its name. wider, it’s in bright sun with very little water. I’d swear it’s Spanish snapdragon (Antirrhinum So many new plants sempervirens), but strangely the flowers are revealed for 2021! pink, not white. This must be something new, unusual, maybe some kind of folly. Drew’s Folly™ (Now the fog returns, and moments pass.) Hardy Snapdragon I can see something new emerging. Shiny Antirrhinum green foliage, about two feet tall. Lots of sun, sempervirens ‘P020S’ little water. It’s Rocky Mountain penstemon (Penstemon strictus). I’d know it anywhere. Well, pollinators are going to love it! But hang Blanca Peak® Rocky on, white flowers? Rocky Mountain penstemon Mountain Beardtongue is blue. And the flowers are so big. Penstemon strictus The image in our crystal ball is changing… ‘PWWG06S’ Is that Blanca Peak I see in the distance? Curious... (The fog swirls as more moments pass.) The clouds obscure Blanca Peak, SteppeSuns® but then fade. New mountains appear, big, Hokubetsi Helichrysum but different. Ah ha! The Maloti range in trilineatum ‘P021S’ South Africa. And what’s that? A little shrub is appearing. Silvery, with dense foliage. It’s sprawling but upright and tidy, too, with sunny

Top photo by Trevin Rudy, Unsplash.com. botanicgardens.org | 3 CHATFIELD FARMS THE FUTURE OF CHATFIELD FARMS

By Larry Vickerman, Director of Chatfield Farms I have had the pleasure of being the Master Development Plan to enhance the director of Chatfield Farms for the past 15 visitor experience and to provide more years. During that time, I have seen the insight and education about the site. exciting transformation of an undiscovered Plans include: better parking with new gem of a property into a multi-disciplinary visitor services facilities; a new rental showcase. Few public places combine venue; education center with direct access agriculture, horticulture and restoration, to the Hildebrand Ranch; and (eventually) especially where they can be practiced a farm-to-table restaurant. And improved side by side. That is what makes Chatfield paths will increase access to bird and Farms so unique. The plant sciences tend wildlife watching. Currently, a drying to be divided into smaller study areas shed for lavender, herbs and dye plants for more detailed research, but that can is underway, and we hope to soon add a sacrifice the synergy of discovery and still for extracting essential oils. collaboration. I can think of few places where you can see well executed larger High-intensity farming techniques will scale farming, detailed naturalistic continue to improve, and overall water ornamental landscape plantings and conservation strategies will continue. small-scale intensive vegetable/fruit More prairie restoration will enhance farming in the context of a historical farm. habitat for all important pollinators and Couple that with prairie and riparian other invertebrates. Lastly, one of the most restoration and you can develop a diverse fascinating projects of the last five years view of the applied plant sciences. has been the restoration of the hydrology Just as exciting is that the Chatfield Farms and habitat along the Deer Creek riparian Committee and staff have spent the last corridor, which will continue to increase year re-imagining and creating a new water quality and support wildlife.

4 | FALL 2020 FEATURED GARDEN

Selecting P L A N T SELECT By Mike Bone, Curator of Steppe Collections and Associate Director of Horticulture, and Jameson Coopman, Horticulture Research Associate Every year Plant Select® promotes and anywhere from one to 10 years, most plants introduces great plants for Colorado and averaging three years before a decision is similar steppe regions. These plants originate made whether to include it in the Plant Select from many different places. We receive plants program. Throughout those years, plants are from local growers. Some come from national subjected to intense Colorado conditions. plant breeders. Plants even come from the The soil is heavy clay, the plants are breeding efforts of our own staff. With a watered minimally (sometimes not receiving watchful eye, a trained horticulturist can spot any supplemental water at all in a season) mutations and find unique plant traits that and plants are not fertilized. This certainly add diversity to our gardens. Selecting and provides the opportunity to observe plants in introducing plants is a global tradition that a challenging environment. Plants that can Denver Botanic Gardens has been involved in survive this garden will thrive in this region. for decades. Plant Select is the showcase for this work. At regular intervals, plants are photographed to track phenology (the study of seasonal For a plant to make it into the program it must changes, such as blooming in the spring meet certain criteria. The main criteria Plant and leaf color changes in the fall, which are Select looks for in potential plants are the ability to thrive with less water, to grow in a influenced by climate). Observations are variety of conditions and to have resilience recorded regarding plant size, pollinator in challenging climates. These plants must visitation, pests and diseases, and if the plant be unique, resist diseases and pests, provide spreads heavily via seed. That last one is long-lasting, multi-season beauty and be especially important for plants that don’t come unlikely to escape cultivation. from Colorado. We make sure they do not spread via seed or any other method heavily The trial gardens at Denver Botanic enough to escape cultivation. These trial Gardens Chatfield Farms is where potential gardens are at the cutting edge of horticulture introductions are evaluated. This location is in Colorado and the steppe. Keep an eye out tucked away from public spaces to protect for all of our exciting advances. potential proprietary plants. These plants are established in rows and observed for

Photos by Mike Bone. botanicgardens.org | 5 SAVE THE DATES TRIPS & TRAVEL Garden of the Gods: A Springtime Botanical Wonders of Brazil’s Journey to the Greek Islands Estrada Royal April 22 – May 3, 2021 October 3-11, 2021 Greece in spring is a magical experience. This trip to Brazil offers a rich cultural and It’s the time of the year when the entire country botanical experience, exploring 17th-19th becomes a vast natural garden. Greece is century architecture, local cuisine, natural home to a stunning number of plant species, history, art, culture and landscapes. comprising the richest flora in Europe. More The journey will trace the Estrada Real, which than 6,000 species thrive in the country, opened in the 18th century to support gold of which about 10 percent are endemic and mines. It was officially declared a tourist route can be found nowhere else in the world. in 1999 and is the most important tourist On this springtime journey we will witness destination in Minas Gerais, encompassing the beautiful display of wildflowers that cover historical cities, woodland parks, mountains, the land among ancient sites, old villages rivers, waterfalls and lakes. Tour leader and notable islands. Tour leader is Dr. Sarada is Nick Snakenberg, curator of tropical Krishnan, director of horticulture and the collections and associate director Center for Global Initiatives at the Gardens. of horticulture at the Gardens.

Celebrate La Guelaguetza Immerse yourself in the culture and in Oaxaca traditions of Día de los Muertos in Oaxaca July 18-24, 2021 Join us next summer for the most important October 28 – November 3, 2021 festival in Oaxaca – the annual celebration Denver Botanic Gardens and Reefs to Rockies of La Guelaguetza. Guelaguetza comes offer another unforgettable trip to Oaxaca, from the Zapotec word guendalezaa, which Mexico, during its most important celebration means to give or share, or offer a service of the year – Día de los Muertos. This eight- to someone. This annual celebration brings day journey takes you to Mexico City, Puebla together the most diverse communities in the and Oaxaca. Combining these three cities state to showcase music and dances as well offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore as exhibitions, concerts, and other events the rich history and long-standing traditions of cultural importance. Tour leader of this beautiful celebration. Tour leader is Yvonne Garcia Bardwell, community is Dan Johnson, associate director relations manager. of horticulture and curator of native plants.

Photo by George Hiles, Unsplash.com. 6 | FALL 2020 NEW SERIES

KETCHUP (or catch up) PRIVATE TOURS WITH COUCH at York Street, TOMATOES Chatfield Farms or By Erin Bird, Communications Manager Plains Conservation Check out our new Instagram Stories Center series of witty, bite-size interactive science lessons about plants, fungi and Looking for a special experience for your group of five or more? Schedule their associated animals. Join Vanessa a private guided tour at York Street, Callahan, learning engagement Chatfield Farms or Plains Conservation assistant (aka the Nerdy Naturalist), Center with at least three weeks’ notice. as she chases bees, pets fuzzy plants, For more information, contact tackles plant reproduction and looks [email protected] or 720-865-3500. at hidden plant parts under the Includes admission. microscope. Every Wednesday, see a Docent-led: $14 per person, $5 student new episode and get to know a few Staff-led: $17 per person, $5 student plants up close (or even under the lens). Plains Conservation Center: $10

botanicgardens.org | 7 SPECIAL EVENTS

CORN MAZE VIRTUAL FALL Fridays – Sundays, September 18 – October 31 PLANT & BULB SALE September: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m., September 25-27 last entry 6 p.m. The key to a colorful spring garden is planting 9 a.m. – 6:30 p.m., October: bulbs in the fall! This year, our online sale will last entry 5:30 p.m. feature hundreds of flowering bulbs, garlic Must pre-purchase tickets; no tickets sold onsite. and Grown at the Gardens plants, as well as Celebrate the 20th anniversary of Corn Maze! new offerings including unique seed mixes and Wind your way through seven acres of corn, Plant Select® selections. Shop online from the view the maze from two 15-foot-tall bridges comfort of your home, then pick up your order and for those ages 10 and under, explore in person at the Gardens. Online store will be the mini maze. In October, pick the perfect open September 25, 10 a.m. – September 27, pumpkin in the 10-acre pumpkin patch. 5 p.m., (subject to close if supplies run out). Pumpkin patch hours: Order pick-up is October 1-3. Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., must pre-purchase Chatfield Farms general admission tickets Friday – Sunday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., must pre-purchase Corn Maze tickets GLOW AT THE Note: Due to COVID-19 constraints, there will ™ not be a Pumpkin Festival this year. GARDENS October 20-25, 6-9:45 p.m. Member ticket presale: October 2-4, 10 a.m. VIRTUAL DÍA DE Public tickets on sale: October 5, 10 a.m. Reimagined for 2020, enjoy an eerie evening at the Gardens surrounded by luminous LOS MUERTOS displays and live performers. Wander a one-way path through a spooky, illuminated CELEBRATION landscape as musicians, dancers and performing artists bring spirits and specters Join the Gardens’ annual celebration of Day of the Dead with online workshops, virtual to life. Bring your face mask and a macabre programs and entertainment providing at-home mood for this enchanted autumnal experience. learning and celebrating for students, families Tickets must be purchased in advance and are and the entire community. expected to sell out; don’t wait to get yours.

8 | FALL 2020 SPECIAL EVENTS

BLOSSOMS TRAIL OF LIGHTS ™ November 27 – December 13, OF LIGHT Fridays – Sundays November 20 – January 3, December 18 – January 3, 5-9:45 p.m., Closed nightly; 5-9 p.m. Thanksgiving Member ticket presale: November 6-8, 10 a.m. Trail of Lights returns to Chatfield Farms! Public tickets on sale: November 9, 10 a.m. Walk a wintry, winding path glistening with lights that illuminate the Colorado countryside, Ranked for several years as one of the best illuminated antique and model tractors on holiday light shows in the nation, Blossoms display, seasonal decorations and hot, of Light once again illuminates the chilly non-alcoholic drinks and kettle corn available winter nights at our York Street location. Enjoy for purchase. Tickets must be purchased majestic displays of light and color as you in advance. stroll a mile-long path through a twinkling winter wonderland that brings delight to visitors of all ages. Tickets must be purchased in advance and are expected to sell out; don’t wait to get yours!

Start your holiday shopping today at the online Shop at the Gardens! Find artisan bath & body products, locally made home and garden décor, gift box sets, educational items and more. Gardens members save 10% on purchases.

botanicgardens.org | 9 DEVELOPMENT

Cultivating a Vision: THE SUMMERHOME GARDEN By Johanna Kelly, Director of Development In the Washington Park neighborhood, you and adaptive plants. When volunteering, Lisa will find a gem. SummerHome Garden is the routinely works in the Josephine Street gardens vision and creation of Gardens’ member and and has even used many of the same plants in volunteer Lisa Negri, Horticulture Specialist the “hell strip” in front of her own home. This Kevin Williams and Horticulture Specialist- further inspired her vision with the question: Plant Select® & Pollinator Gardens Sonya “What is better than a garden?” Anderson. This garden is a response to the One of the benefits of being a significant increasing density there and throughout donor to the Gardens is the opportunity to our city. have a consultation session with a member Lisa was inspired to create SummerHome of the horticulture team. Through this benefit Garden when a property contiguous to hers Lisa and Kevin collaborated on the design of became available last year. In considering and plant selection for SummerHome Garden. the ongoing building around her she asked Lisa says that Kevin’s philosophy is to expand herself, “How can I help?” people’s visions of a garden – to let it be wild and see where it goes. She wanted to bring Having worked as a volunteer with Kevin and this vision into her community to demonstrate other members of the Gardens’ horticulture the benefit of these native and adaptive team, she is very familiar with the different plants. The plantings include redbud trees, red gardens on the York Street campus. Most sage, California bluebells, yucca and agave, familiar to her are the Steppe Garden and the among many others. SummerHome Garden streetscapes Kevin and others designed and was finished in early August; once established, planted along Josephine Street using native the plantings will thrive with natural rainfall.

Photo by Kevin Williams. 10 | FALL 2020 FEBRUARY

JUNE HORTICULTURE

Envisioning THE SUMMERHOME GARDEN by Kevin Philip Williams, Horticulture Specialist Through the Gardens’ collaboration with The layout itself has been modeled on an Lisa, we set out to provide planting and instance of graffiti found on a public utility landscape design to create an example box. Using this wild, open-source example of of dynamic horticulture for the Washington composition and expression as a jumping-off Park neighborhood. point for planting helps to alleviate the heavy- handedness of the designer and encourage The naturalistic plantings of SummerHome acceptance of a wandering and competing Garden, implemented through a combination plant community. of planting and seeding, highlight the beauty and xeric utility of shrub steppes, bringing a Although we may not know the shape Western colorscape of silvers and blue-grays of gardens to come, they will certainly need to the forefront with seasonal shocks of hot progressive vision, guidance and the support hues rippling across the garden. Additionally, of a diverse community to manifest. We are a crevice garden for cacti and succulents, hopeful that through creative examples natural stone benches, meandering pathways, and thoughtful experimentation, the Gardens pollinator hotels, sculptures and fountains are can continue to be a helpful steward spread throughout the immersive plantings. of future gardens.

Photos by Kevin Williams. botanicgardens.org | 11 RESEARCH

SCIENCE AT THE GARDENS Expanded Opportunities By Jennifer Ramp Neale, Ph.D., Director of Research & Conservation Examining fungal spores under microscopes, cutting DNA into thousands of pieces to then make millions of copies, growing plants in test tubes, cleaning and counting millions of seeds, carefully dissecting floral parts to describe a species—these are some of the scientific activities taking place in the Freyer – Newman Center for Science, Art and Education. With the opening of the Center, we are expanding and enhancing our scientific capabilities. Scientific study is the pursuit of knowledge through documentation, observation and experimentation. Our team of staff scientists are engaged in documenting and observing the natural world, specifically plants and fungi.

12 | FALL 2020 RESEARCH

The common thread in our work is the goal of enhancing our knowledge of the natural world. Whether our end goal is a report to a grant funder or publication in a scientific journal, we design our studies with transparency and replicability top of mind. Between 2015-2019, Gardens staff published more than 45 papers in scientific journals. Publishing our studies as an article in a peer- reviewed scientific journal adds weight and validation to our work. The facilities provided in the Center expand our capacity to pursue scientific knowledge. The herbarium houses our natural history collections: the Kathryn Kalmbach Vascular Plant Herbarium and the Sam Mitchel Herbarium of Fungi have nearly 100,000 combined plant and fungal specimens representing biodiversity of the Southern Rocky Mountain region. Funding from an Institute for Museum and Library Services grant (award #: MA-30-18-0410-18) provides ample cabinet space allowing for 50 years of continued growth. The Bill and Alice Collister Herbarium Workspace offers abundant space for botanists, mycologists and botanical illustrators to work side by side opening opportunity for future collaborations. The science labs, located on the second floor, more than double our capacity to pursue scientific observation and experimentation. The Ecology Lab provides space for mycological processing, seed cleaning, microscopy, biomass and soil studies. We are leading experimental studies at Chatfield Farms working to restore the habitat along Deer Creek. Samples collected there are then processed in the lab. The Genetics and Tissue Culture Lab is a sterile lab where genetic relationships among fungi or plants are assessed and population genetic assessments are pursued. Horticultural research assesses genetic diversity in key crops and wild relatives and develops new tissue culture protocols for propagation. The numerous spaces allow for research to continue with social distancing efforts well in place. Teaching and mentoring now take place in a virtual landscape, using the collections and labs as the backdrop to create a rich experience for students of all kinds. New scientific discoveries will arise from our work in the Center. We look forward to sharing these, as well as our physical research spaces, with the public in time.

botanicgardens.org | 13 EXHIBITIONS, ART AND LEARNING ENGAGEMENT

Visit the new indoor galleries in the Freyer – Newman Center with these inaugural exhibitions. Included with Gardens admission. FROM THE VAULT GARDEN & HAVEN Wonders and Oddities Botanical Art and from the Gardens’ Illustration

Collections September 26 – November 8 In honor of its 40th anniversary, Denver September 26 – November 8 Botanic Gardens’ School of Botanical Art From the Vault presents some of the most and Illustration highlights gardens as places beautiful, interesting and unique objects in of sanctuary and renewal through a special the Gardens’ collections, most exhibited for juried exhibition of works created by the the first time. The Gardens is home to much school’s students and graduates. Garden & more than living plants; its collections also Haven celebrates the capacity of the natural include paintings, pressed plants, rare books, world to remind us that even through times dried fungi, historical photos and other of sadness and fear, spring and renewal will objects. Highlights include a giant puffball always return. fungus named Fred and a botanical illustration created during the time of Shakespeare. GHOST FOREST Works PINK LEMONADE HOPE by Melanie Walker Works by Koko Bayer September 26 – December 6 Melanie Walker’s works on fabric are a September 26 – December 6 contemplative reverie on our origins in nature Denver artist Koko Bayer installs printed and the landscapes that continue to sustain images throughout Denver’s urban landscape us. Ghost Forest offers a space to reflect on with wheat paste, making them naturally the memories that connect us to wild places, ephemeral. Pink Lemonade Hope is part of and to one another. Walker is a Colorado- Bayer’s “Project Spread Hope”—a series based artist whose work draws on analog of installations created in response to the photographic processes, digital art and COVID-19 crisis as a reminder of the power mixed media. This exhibition is organized in of hope. collaboration with Walker Fine Art, Denver.

14 | FALL 2020 EXHIBITIONS, ART AND LEARNING ENGAGEMENT

, 2019. how they grow , 2019. Artwork , 2019. Artwork Trabajadores Los Tony Ortega, Tony Ortega. Ortega. Photo courtesy © Tony of Tony Jody Guralnick, RAÍCES Y RAMAS | PRIMA LINGUA ROOTS AND BRANCHES First Words of the Earth November 21 – February 28 December 19 – March 14 Tony Ortega’s artwork celebrates identity and Jody Guralnick explores the intersection tradition to form a bridge between cultures of science and art, bringing to light the in Mexico and the United States. Raíces y microscopic and often unnoticed structures of ramas explores the Chicano experience in lichens, mushrooms, molds and more. For her, U.S. culture, highlighting the role of place and these tiny organisms are comparable to the landscape in connecting community. Inspired first words of the earth—building blocks for by his journeys across languages, cultures nature’s language. Her works seek to make and ideologies, Ortega’s work combines visible the links between the human world and the realm of fungi and microbes, encouraging expressionist colors with urban and rural stewardship of the environment by highlighting environments of the U.S. Ortega holds a MFA the spaces that we share with microorganisms. in drawing and painting from the University Guralnick is based in Aspen, Colorado where of Colorado and is currently a professor at she collects, interprets and creates with natural Denver’s . He is the recipient materials. She holds a BA from the St. Martin’s of the Colorado Governor’s Award for School of Art in London, a MA from the Boston Excellence in the Arts and the Mayor’s Award Museum School of Fine Arts, and a MFA from for Excellence in the Arts. His artwork can be the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY. Her works found in the collections of museums including have been exhibited throughout the U.S., and the and the Los Angeles she has been the recipient of numerous awards County Museum, and his works have been and fellowships, including a Ford Foundation exhibited throughout the U.S., Latin America Grant and a Colorado Council for the Arts and other parts of the world. This exhibition is Visual Arts Fellowship. organized in collaboration with William Havu Gallery, Denver.

botanicgardens.org | 15 FAMILY CORNER PLANT PRESS FAMILY ACTIVITY By Chelsey Bardgett, Family and Children’s Program Instructor

There are many things we do in the moment Cut cardboard into three 4” x 4” that have future results. It might be planting squares. The cardboard acts as firm a seed and watching it grow to get a flower 1 support to flatten the plant specimen. or designing a space to develop the perfect Place at least two sheets of paper or garden. At Denver Botanic Gardens, our newspaper on two pieces of cardboard. instructors work today to grow the future. 2 The paper acts as an absorbent layer to A special activity to do today that will have help the plant dry quicker. future results is pressing a plant. This activity Using your fingers, carefully arrange creates a long-lasting dried specimen that the plant specimen on top of one of the might have sentimental meaning, be a piece papers so that the leaves are separate of art or be used for scientific purposes. 3 from each other but still connected to At the Gardens, we keep our dried specimens the stem. You may turn one leaf over in a special space called an herbarium. to show the other side. Once you are Check out how our own scientists collect plant happy with your arrangement, place specimens. the other paper on top of the specimen Now is a great time for families to practice and a piece of cardboard on top of their own trips into the “field.” Take a journey the paper. You just made a specimen through an outdoor space, your neighborhood sandwich! Repeat the process to create or even your backyard. Look for a specimen another layer. that is either on a plant you can safely collect Wrap rubber bands around the press, from or already on the ground. one in each direction so all parts are 4 bound together. The rubber bands After working in the “field,” you can begin the process of preserving your collection by assist in exerting pressure on the creating a small DIY plant press. plant specimens. You can increase the pressure by placing heavy objects on Materials: plant specimens, cardboard (an old the plant press. It can take over a week cardboard box works), paper or newspaper for a plant to dry completely, so keep and rubber bands. practicing patience during this project!

This project takes a little time, but it is well worth the wait for our family naturalists! Want a crafty version of a DIY plant press? Purchase this Botany in a Box Family Activity Kit.

16 | FALL 2020 EDUCATION PANDEMIC PROGRAMMING PIVOT By Matthew Cole, Director of Education; with contributions from Kirsten Bell, School and Camp Program Coordinator; Katelin Gaeth, Assistant Manager of School and Camp Programs; Chelsey Bardgett, Family & Children’s Program Instructor; Helena Sizemore, Family & Children’s Program Instructor; and Catharine McCord, Adult Program Coordinator The Education Department prides itself on Therapeutic Thursdays, was introduced to providing strong hands-on experiences for help people appreciate and connect to plants learners of all ages, through schools, in family through the technologies that were available. groups and for adults wanting to connect Participants returned, new students joined, with plants in many ways. The pandemic has and our reach expanded beyond Denver and challenged this, and as educators, we’ve had Colorado; it almost begins to sound like virtual to be extra creative to reach audiences. learning shows us the future. But we’re also “Basically, we had to pivot,” says Kirsten. seeing that attention span and time are limited “And I feel we did it well because, in online. Zoom fatigue is a reality. As people conversation with other organizations, become confident in their ability to go out we were ahead of where they were. We safely, online classes seem less appealing. were able to do it fast and make it fun and “What was so vital in the early days of the engaging, all from our homes.” pandemic may now just be yet another thing we do on a screen,” Catharine adds. It took a team effort to make new things happen without being physically together. What’s the lesson for the future of classes Through a combination of modifying onsite at the Gardens? Past years have shown that programs to work in an online learning we need not just a match between people’s environment and developing new video interest and the class content, but in the components to enhance the classes, the pieces format of the class. Currently, some students started to come together. “We began to feel are comfortable being in public spaces while we can make this work; we have engaging others are not. It’s clear that to serve our audiences the best we can, we need to have content,” Katelin says. the greatest variety of formats that we can School programs, toddler classes and adult sustain. Please check our program offerings, courses all transitioned online, modified to both online and in person, to see what is open fit Zoom. The result, educators note, was that for registration now. people were grateful: “What we realized was that the pandemic was so new and so unsettling that online classes helped people,” says Catharine. A new weekly offering, Honor/Memorial Contributors Gifts Received 05/01/2020 – 07/31/2020 IN MEMORY George and Sally Fosha Bev Hill Deborah Preschler Mr. and Mrs. John E. Freyer Christine Klein Gordon Trafton In Memory of Buddy Baker Mr. and Mrs. Robert K. Fuller Ann Klaiman Donna Duffy Mark Trafton The Garden Club of Denver Judy Larson Larry E. Wielgot In Memory of Kenneth R. Blum Ms. Cecily Grant and Joan Lebow Ina Cherington Kurt Smitz Vicki Lepore In Memory of Alison L. Winslow In Memory of Cecil Broyles Elisha and Nina Gray James K. Lillyman Jane Wainwright Mrs. Frederic C. Hamilton Harry Lindmark Lane Baird Heidi and Michael Hammell Toni and Arthur Newhall Richfield High School Band In Memory of Don Brunnett Meghan Harney Judith and Jack Pottle Boosters Inc. Mrs. Deb Dowling Leslie Hill Dawn Rhine In Memory of Sue Cannon Mr. Preston H. Hill Diane and George Sawczyn In Memory of Marion Woods Denver Master Gardeners Mrs. Erin Hornstein and Dr. Jay Y. Want and Dr. The Denver Foundation Association Mr. Joe Hornstein Martina Schulte Mrs. Thomas E. Taplin Thomas and Beatrice Taplin In Memory of Taylor Hughes Stephanie Selesnick Nancy K. Cantrell Jane M. Hamilton Charitable Geri Shaffer Fund Mary Littman Fund Leigh Ann Simpson Ms. Megan Walsh Dr. Jan Kennaugh and Patti Towell In Memory of In Memory of Peter Young Mr. Chip Horne In Memory of Patricia Cervantes Dr. and Mrs. Richard P. Diane Bleday Ms. Dorothy Lessem Ann Marie Muenzberg Brian and Amy Masselink Koeppe Angie M. Andrade-Foster Maria Young In Memory of Waudene Cohen Leslie Hill Charitable Fund Mrs. Philip Boardman Jeffrey and Doreen Clevenger Susan and James Long Mr. John Calderhead Anne and Jeffrey Lowdermilk IN HONOR In Memory of Jean Cole Noreen Gima Mr. and Mrs. Stephen S. Ms. Ashley Cole Seidman Ms. Mervi M. Hjelmroos-Koski In Honor of The Bliss Family Marsters Ms. Jill H. Lazatin Mr. and Mrs. Stewart Bliss In Memory of Mr. Stephen Miller Charles McGlothlin Margaret Mary Conway In Honor of Anita Cox National Philanthropic Trust Karen D. Peters Heather, Billy, Lilli, and Dr. Victoria Ekstrand Karen D. Peters Pamela S. Rathke Juno Gregg Honorable Penelope G. Mrs. Jennifer Riley-Chetwynd In Honor of Mary Gastelle Redington In Memory of Rex Crook Kristine Shoemaker Debbie Daehnick Arron Elmore Melissa and Jeffrey Riemer Schwab Charitable Fund In Memory of Eileen Percival In Honor of Alice Henderson In Memory of Lynette Emery Timothy Smith Claire R. Opel Elizabeth Cobble Richard and Joan Wohlgenant Tish and Paul Szurek In Memory of Ted Prythero In Honor of In Memory of Walt Felcher Jennifer Tallmadge Ms. Nancy Carlisle Larry May and Patricia May Mr. Brian R. Vogt Johanna Elizabeth Kelly In Memory of Joseph Rybicki Anna Lee Wahls Mike Brewer and Ben Kemena In Memory of Sue Gawler David and Fleur Wright Jackson Bouchard Carol Whitaker Brewer-Kemena Fund In Memory of Community Foundation Boulder In Memory of Dorothy Hiatt In Memory of Doris Gerecht Joyce Ann Sander Jennifer Darling County Nancy Kaproth Al and DeAnna Lemieux In Memory of John Hickey, Sr. In Honor of In Memory of Evelyn Ginkich In Memory of Richard Siegel Heather, Billy, Lilli, and Mary Lynne Lidstone Michael D’Agostino Lois Siegel Juno Gregg Mr. James Lidstone and In Memory of Judy Grant In Memory of In Memory of Lorraine Higbie Ms. Alaina Reilly Anonymous LaVeryn M. Talmage H. David and Karen Mr. H. Gregory Austin and Dr. Marilyn Talmage-Bowers In Honor of Peter A. Martin Mrs. Deanna Austin Lansdowne Robin and Scott McDougal In Memory of Steve Trujillo Mr. Dennis Baldwin In Memory of Harman Kang Roger Bailey In Honor of Ms. Leslie Baldwin Rawan Eltayeb Mike and Heather Miller Wendy Bangs In Memory of David Tucker In Memory of Tommye King Caroline Benoit Wyatt Traina Greater Kansas City Dr. and Mrs. Thomas King H. Perry Boyle Jr and Community Foundation In Memory of Lisa Ryan-Boyle In Memory of Robert and Sally Uhlmann Maddie Turner-Shaw Hilary Burrall Christine Lindmark Advisory Fund Ms. Amy Turner Hilary Carlson and Bliss Beasley Sally Uhlmann Ingrid Barrier Sandy Calvert In Memory of Elsie Vomvas In Honor of Jane and Tim Davis Ruth Champion Mr. Emanuel Vomvas Maurine Howell Moody The Denver Debutante Ball Jane Dahlroth In Memory of Joy B. Ward Mr. Robert Moody and Deb Deverell John Desmond Robert F. Ward Elisha and Nina Gray Gift Nancy Dobbs Ms. Karen Tierney In Memory of Fund Penelope Freire In Honor of Ted Rapp Mr. Bayard Ewing and Martha Filson Andrea “Jodi” Westcott Anonymous Ms. Pauline Green Lenay Gore John Westcott Mira J. Fine and Anita H. Karen Gross In Memory of Virginia Wielgot In Honor of Rebecca Thomas Rouse Susan Haning Andrea Huston Mr. and Mrs. Tom Allen

18 | FALL 2020 Donors of Distinction 2020 Board Gifts Received 05/01/2020 – 07/31/2020 of Trustees Citizens of the Scientific & Ms. Maureen Fitzgerald Optum Cultural Facilities District Chelsea and Bill Flagg Mr. Paul R. Ost and OFFICERS Weldon Abbott Flowe Foundation Mr. Will Biles Ms. Kathy Hodgson, Dr. Jandel Allen-Davis and Ms. Gina Fratarcangeli and Mr. and Mrs. Thomas P. Owen Board Chair Mr. Anthony Davis Mr. Richard Nahabedian Lorraine Parker and Mr. Mike Imhoff, Vice Chair American Online Giving Ms. Cory Freyer Elizabeth Starrs Ms. Allyson Mendenhall, Foundation David and Chris Fullerton Dr. Kevin Patterson and Secretary Eccles Family Charitable Barbee Futrell Riehl and Ms. Ann Hovland Mr. Abe Rodriguez, Treasurer Fund Dan Riehl Lise Pederson Mr. Richard Clark, June & Sylvan Stool Family Garden Club of America Jennie Peterson Immediate Past Chair Charitable Fund Gelatt-Gephart Foundation Inc Karen E. Pfeifer American Public Gardens Mr. and Mrs. Brent Gephart Patricia Powell TERM TRUSTEES Association GH Phipps Construction Prologis Rabbi Joe Black Andrisen Morton Co Companies William D. Radichel Mr. Richard Clark Anonymous Linda Good Wilson and Foundation Mr. Andrew Cullen Robert Applegate and Michelle Mark A. Wilson Lindsay Reimers Mr. Papa M. Dia Moorman Applegate Greater Kansas City Hugh L. Rice and Ms. Melissa Eliot Liz Armstrong Community Foundation Mary B. Schaefer Sen. Rhonda Fields Mrs. Laura Barton and Robert and Sally Uhlmann Jim and Joanne Richardson Ms. Cory Freyer Mr. William Matthews Advisory Fund Mr. Kenneth M. Robins and Ms. Kathy Hodgson Richard and Anne Bell Hays Charitable Remainder Mrs. Judy Robins Ms. Dorothy Horrell Mr. and Mrs. Stewart Bliss Unit Trust S&P Global Ms. Ding Wen Hsu Bonnie Brae Liquor Leslie Hill Ms. Judy Santambrogio Mr. Mike Imhoff Ms. Nancy Carlisle Steve and Elizabeth Holtze SavATree Ms. Wy Livingston George and Christina Caulkins Ding W. Hsu Becky and Brian Schaub Mrs. Judi Newman Charles Schwab Michael and Kaye Hurtt Mr. and Mrs. Barney Schotters Ms. Jane O’Shaughnessy Mary Lee Chin and James Mr. and Mrs. Michael Imhoff Mrs. Jane Schultz-Burnett and Mr. Scott Richards Wagenlander Mark G. Jennings Mr. Bart Burnett Ms. Yrma Rico Mr. and Mrs. Richard K. Clark Susan and Brad Johnson Schwab Charitable Fund Mr. Abe Rodriguez Mrs. Sheila Cleworth Mr. and Mrs. Donald J. Kany The Moe Family Charitable Ms. Marianne Sulser Robert and Leslie Colwell Michael and Michele Karas Fund Mr. Charlie Woolley Community Foundation Boulder Bob and Wendy Kaufman Terri and Richard Slivka County Laurie and Peter Korneffel Sparkjoy Foundation MAYORAL TRUSTEES Brewer-Kemena Fund Janet and Stuart Kritzer Ms. Vicki Eppler Ms. Ann Sparks and Considine Family Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Jerry D. Ladd Ms. Catherine Hance Mr. Douglas Sparks Mr. William Cook and The Ladd Foundation Ms. Allyson Mendenhall Kathryn Spuhler Mrs. Nancy Cook Christopher K. M. Leach and Ms. Caroline Schomp Ms. Laurel Stadjuhar Ms. Judy Crawley Chad Skrbina David & Laura Merage Lockton Companies, LLC Stanley Smith Horticultural LIFE TRUSTEES Trust Foundation Hal and Ann Logan Mr. Edward P. Connors Teammates Commercial Dianne and Dale Dawson Lyft Mrs. Thomas E. Taplin DBC Irrigation Supply Mrs. Sandra Maloney and Interiors Denver Department of Public Dr. J. Michael Maloney Joey Terriquez TRUSTEES EMERITI Sally Uhlmann Health and Environment Marczyk Fine Foods Dr. Jandel Allen-Davis United States Botanic Garden The Denver Foundation Mr. and Mrs. J. Landis Martin Ms. Dawn Bookhardt Vine Street Pub & Brewery Imhoff Family Foundation Kathy and Alex Martinez Ms. Mary Lee Chin Fund Dr. William Mauldin and Mr. Brian R. Vogt Mr. Al Gerace Thomas P. Owen Family Fund Ms. Margie Mauldin Ms. Carol Waddell and Ms. Janet Mordecai Joy and Chris Dinsdale Mrs. Jan Mayer Ms. Julie Junkin Ms. Nancy Schotters Donna Duffy Mrs. Eileen Honnen McDonald Wadsworth Control Systems Ms. Cynthia Scott Mr. Peter D. Durst and and Mr. Ed McDonald Inc Mr. Harold Smethills Ms. Ellen Seale David and Laura Merage Ms. Evelyn Waldron and Dilek and Mathew Eccles Metropolitan State University Mr. Lloyd Waldron EX-OFFICIO TRUSTEES Gretchen Edwards of Denver Welby Gardens Company, Inc. Ms. Christina Caulkins Missy and John Eliot Barbara Miller The Wells Fargo Philanthropy (President, Denver Botanic Emerson Bruce W. Miller Fund Gardens Endowment, Inc.) Emerson Charitable Trust Dr. Mark Mills The Karen E. Pfeifer Ms. Happy Haynes (Ex. Mgr, Estate of Jane Coughlan Hays Gene and Dee Milstein Charitable Gift Fund Parks & Recreation Dpt.) Estate of Thomas H. Melton Barbara and Paul Moe Ms. Elaine Williams Mrs. Meg Nichols (President, Ms. Teresa A Ferguson and Mrs. M. Elizabeth Morton and Marla Williams Garden Club of Denver) Mr. Kelly Ferguson Mr. Dudley Morton Mr.and Mrs. James S. Wilson Ms. Jeanette Pryor, Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund Juan and Nancy Munoz Xcel Energy (President, Denver Botanic James and Marian Lokey National Philanthropic Trust Wallace and Cynthia Zellmer Gardens Guild) Charitable Fund Leslie Hill Charitable Fund Mr. Shawn Zinnen and Mrs. Margie Soileau (Colo. FirstBank Holding Company Robert and Judi Newman Mrs. Lisa Maier Federation of Garden Clubs)

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