DESERT BOTANICAL GARDEN

PRESS KIT OVERVIEW

THE GARDEN: Discover the tranquil vibrancy of 50,000 desert nestled amid the red rocks of the Papago Buttes at Desert Botanical Garden. Visitors can stroll through five thematic trails to explore plants, including towering , alluring succulents and brilliant desert wildflowers. Delve deeper to experience world-class art exhibitions, festive events, fascinating classes and so much more.

MISSION: The Garden’s commitment to the community is to advance excellence in education, research, exhibition and conservation of desert plants of the world with emphasis on the Southwestern . We will ensure that the Garden is always a compelling attraction that brings to life the many wonders of the desert.

LOCATION | WEBSITE: 1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, AZ 85008 | dbg.org | 480.941.1225

MEDIA CONTACTS: Dana Terrazas, Director of Marketing Communications Clare Hahne, Marketing Communications Manager 480.481.8101 | [email protected] 480.481.8102 | [email protected]

YOUR GARDEN BY THE NUMBERS (Reflective of 2017):

450,578 32,575 122 4,357 379 68,432 80 SPECIES CARED FOR TOTAL ATTENDANCE MEMBERS NEW SPECIES ADDED SPECIES IN THE VOLUNTEER HOURS CELEBRATING GARDEN’S LIVING THAT ARE RARE AND CONTRIBUTED 80 YEARS IN 2019 COLLECTION ENDANGERED

DESERT BOTANICAL GARDEN | PRESS KIT | OVERVIEW 1 HISTORY

In the 1930s, a small group of passionate local citizens saw the need to conserve the beautiful desert environment. One was Swedish botanist Gustaf Starck, who found like-minded residents by posting a sign that said “Save the desert,” with an arrow pointing to his home. Nearly eight decades later, thanks to leadership and investments from many individuals, Desert Botanical Garden has blossomed from a dream into a living museum unlike any other. See how the Garden has grown during its history into a compelling attraction and desert conservation pioneer.

1939 1947 1957 1970 1977 1983 The Garden opens its Gertrude Webster dies The Garden’s collections The new library is built to The Docent Program The American Association doors to the public. leaving her estate to increase from 1,000 to more house a valuable donation is established. of Museums accredits support the Garden. than 18,000 specimens. of rare books and prints. the Garden.

2009 2008 2008 2002 1988 1985 Joy and Howard Dale Chihuly’s exhibition Ottosen Entry The Garden completes a Plants and People The Garden becomes a Berlin Agave Yucca draws more than 500,000 Garden opens. $17 million expansion. of the charter member of the Forrest opens. people to the Garden. Trail opens. Center for Conservation.

2013 2015 2015 2017 2018 2019 The Garden celebrates The Jan and Tom Lewis The Garden hosts its first ever New Butterfly Exhibit and The Garden opens Electric Desert Botanical its 75th anniversary. Desert Portal opens. nighttime only exhibition Hazel Hare Center for Plant Desert | A Light and Sound Garden celebrating its by Bruce Munro. Science open. Experience by Klip Collective. 80th Anniversary.

DESERT BOTANICAL GARDEN | PRESS KIT | HISTORY | See the full, detailed timeline at DBG.ORG 2 EDUCATION

At Desert Botanical Garden, learning knows no bounds. Our education offerings go beyond the boundaries of the classroom to create enlightening opportunities to build connections with nature. Whether it covers gardening or cooking, the Garden’s classes take nature experiences into hands-on practice. Take a peek at some of the classes, workshops and excursions the Garden is offering.

CONTAINER GARDENING: SUCCULENTS PHOTOGRAPHY FOUNDATIONS SEEDLINGS

WEDNESDAY | NOV. 14 | NOON - 2 P.M. WEDNESDAY | OCT. 17 | 3 - 7 P.M. TUESDAYS, WEDNESDAYS, THURSDAYS MEMBERS: $35 | GENERAL PUBLIC: $44 MEMBERS: $60 | GENERAL PUBLIC: $75 OR FRIDAYS | JAN. 9 – FEB. 16 Explore the basics of growing succulents Tracy Battaglia guides you through simple 3-5 YEARS | 9:30 - 11:30 A.M. in containers for your patio and garden. exercises to begin mastering a perfect MEMBERS: $145 PER SIX-WEEK SESSION Learn how to select plant size, shape and exposure while shooting manually. Forget GENERAL PUBLIC: $175 PER SIX-WEEK SESSION color to create intriguing arrangements of auto-settings and learn her three pillars Young children and their caregivers explore pots that will decorate your patio and add technique. Tracy will show you how to the wonders of the desert through stories, drama to your garden. Hands-on practice, understand and use your aperture, shutter projects, and nature walks in our preschool materials and demonstrations are included. speed and ISO. Understanding these program. Garden instructors lead a different Instructed by Starr Urbatsch, manager of elements, their functions and how they theme each season with weekly lessons the agavaceae, aloaceae and non-cactus work together is important to achieve exploring native plants, animals and their succulent plant collections at the Garden. your photography goals. interactions between each other.

DESERT BOTANICAL GARDEN | PRESS KIT | EDUCATION 3 TRAILS & EXHIBITIONS

Desert Botanical Garden provides a world-class experience for every visitor. Through permanent trailside exhibits, temporary art installations and seasonal experiences the Garden ignites discovery and meaning about the desert and the plants that have adapted to this fascinating ecosystem.

TRAILS: DESERT DISCOVERY TRAIL exhibits desert plants from around the world. PLANTS & PEOPLE OF THE SONORAN DESERT TRAIL explores the use of desert plants for nourishment, cultural activities and tools. SONORAN DESERT NATURE TRAIL illustrates the relationship between desert plants and animals. CENTER FOR DESERT LIVING TRAIL displays ideas and strategies for sustainable ways to live with nature. Harriet K. Maxwell DESERT WILDFLOWER TRAIL showcases the diversity of desert wildflowers.

CURRENT EXHIBITIONS:

SEPT. 21 – JAN. 6 | 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. SEPT. 29 – NOV. 18 | 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. OCT. 12, 2018 - MAY 12, 2019, THIS EXHIBIT IS BEST VIEWED AFTER DARK. This exhibit features vibrant, fantasy-rich Monarch butterflies and their paintings inspired by pollinators and natural insect friends return to the Garden’s Cactus and desert become a living canvas in elements from the Sonoran Desert by Fall butterfly exhibit. Take a closer this nighttime experience, taking visitors on artist Frank Gonzales. look at pollinators and predator an immersive journey through the Garden insects that care for and protect using light and original music. Electric Desert our desert environment. includes seven site-specific locations, with each experience inspired by the Garden.

DESERT BOTANICAL GARDEN | PRESS KIT | TRAILS & EXHIBITIONS 4 UPCOMING EVENTS

OCT. 7 – NOV. 25 | DOORS OPEN AT 3 p.m. SATURDAY, OCT. 20 | 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. OCT. 26-27 | 5:30 – 9 p.m. SUNDAY, OCT. 21 | 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. CONCERTS 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. Included with membership or paid Garden Tickets on sale. Free Admission to enter the Fall Plant Sale. admission. Children under 3 are free. This all-ages concert series is a great Don’t let 30,000 plants intimidate you! At Strange Garden you will encounter weird experience to enjoy in the company of friends Our on-site horticulture experts will help sights, fun tricks and curious creatures. and family. Some of Arizona’s best musicians you find the perfect cactus, agave, herb or Dance ‘til you drop at the spook-tacular will perform against the stunning backdrop of veggie to plant in your own garden. monster bash, and kids, if you dare, come the butte at Ullman Terrace. dressed in your Halloween best. Kids 12 and younger can pick the perfect pumpkin to take home as well.

NOV. 3-4 | 10 A.M. – 5 p.m. NOV. 17 | 8 A.M. – 2 p.m. DEC. 1 - 24 & DEC. 26-30 | 5:30 – 9:30 p.m. LA PROCESIÓN EACH DAY 5 – 6 p.m. Included with membership or paid Garden Tickets on sale Oct. 1 at dbg.org. Included with membership or paid admission. $4 admission per dog with proceeds Las Noches de las Luminarias will be Garden admission. benefiting the Arizona Humane Society. aglow for 29 magical evenings. The lights Celebrate the Mexican tradition of Día de los The Garden is going to the dogs! Meet other will be brighter than ever as Muertos with a two-day festival filled with dog lovers, heel for family photos, learn about and Electric Desert unite for a dazzling music, dance, storytelling, shopping and food. local dog-related nonprofits, shop and enjoy display. Plus, enjoy music performances, samples with your pup. entertainment and the chance to dine at the Garden with family and friends.

DESERT BOTANICAL GARDEN | PRESS KIT | UPCOMING EVENTS 5 RESEARCH & CONSERVATION

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) identified cactus as one of the most threatened groups of living organisms, but the Garden is working to protect and conserve these treasured desert plants and many others. The Garden’s researchers often collaborate internationally, as well as with federal and state agencies, including the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Parks Service, to protect Arizona flora and habitat.

GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK

NEVADA Boulder City Mojave Desert, Clark PRESCOTT NATIONAL FOREST

UTAH AGUA FRIA NATIONAL MONUMENT Kanab/St. George HIEROGLYPHIC MOUNTAINS TONTO NATIONAL FOREST CAVE CREEK Franklin Mountains Florida Mountains SUPERSTITION WILDERNESS DESERT BOTANICAL PUEBLA, MEXICO MUNICIPAL AND COUNTY DESERT CALIFORNIA GARDEN, PHOENIX Tehuacán Valley KOFA NATIONAL PARKS AND PRESERVES - PHOENIX White Mountains WILDLIFE REFUGE METRO REGION Inyo National CUBA Forest YUMA Sierra Nevada SONORAN DESERT NATIONAL CASCABEL Mountains DOMINICAN MONUMENT Mojave National REPUBLIC LAS CIENEGAS NATIONAL Preserve CONSERVATION AREA ARIZONA CORONADO From the Grand Canyon NATIONAL FOREST PUERTO to the Southern Border CANELO PEÑASCO, SONORA, MX Pinacate Biosphere Reserve Northern Sonora AUSTRALIA Gnangara and Pilbara Rivers CHILE Coquimbo Region Atacama Region ARGENTINA Mendoza Region SOUTH AFRICA Succulent Karoo

GARDEN SCIENTISTS ARE FULFILLING OUR MISSION THROUGH PROJECTS IN ARID REGIONS AROUND THE WORLD.

DESERT BOTANICAL GARDEN | PRESS KIT | RESEARCH & CONSERVATION 6 OVERVIEW

107 FULL- AND PART-TIME STAFF MEMBERS

750 VOLUNTEERS

51 COMMUNITY LEADERS ON OUR BOARD OF TRUSTEEES

CREDITS: • ACCREDITED BY THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF MUSEUMS • FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE CENTER FOR PLANT CONSERVATION • DESIGNATED BY POPULAR VOTE IN 1993 AS A “PHOENIX POINT OF PRIDE” • NAMED ONE OF “ARIZONA’S TREASURES” BY GOVERNOR JANET NAPOLITANO IN 2005

DESERT BOTANICAL GARDEN | PRESS KIT | OVERVIEW 7