History of the Santa Fe Botanical Garden Sites Founded 1987 Mission
The Santa Fe Botanical Garden celebrates, cultivates and conserves the rich botanical heritage and biodiversity of our region. In partnership with nature, we demonstrate our commitment through education, community service and the sustainable management of our nature preserves and public garden. Founding
The Santa Fe Botanical Garden began in 1987
Founded by: local gardeners botanists environmentally oriented citizens Leonora Curtin Wetland
1993 began long-term lease with the trustees of El Rancho de las Golondrinas
35-acre site
Spring fed pond with a diversity of plants and wildlife
Volunteers: Removed exotic and invasive plants Restored habitat through revegetation Maintain health of the pond remain a healthy environment for riparian plants, birds and invertebrates. Who is Leonora?
Leonora Scott Muse Curtin - Lived from 1879-1972
Loved art, archaeology, and cultures of Spanish and Native Americans
Married DA lawyer Thomas Curtin in Santa Fe, until his death in 1911
She and her daughter traveled together around the world
They founded the Spanish Colonial Arts Society and she served on several boards in Santa Fe, including SAR
She interviewed native herbalists and curanderas and wrote By The Prophet of the Earth Healing Herbs of the Upper Rio Grande
Mrs. Curtin - honored by the Mexican Government for her studies of the ethnobotany of the Tarascan Indians
In 1932, Mrs. Curtin and her daughter Leonora purchased historic El Rancho de las Golondrinas in La Cienega
The Curtain family began to restore and reconstruct buildings on the site, using it as a country retreat
El Rancho de las Golondrinas opened as a living history museum of New Mexico’s Spanish colonial heritage in 1972 Leonora, Mother, and Daughter Mrs. Eva Scott Fenyes, Leonora’s Mother Rancho de las Golondrinas Ranch of the Swallows
Wetland Wildlife Habitat Ortiz Mountains Educational Preserve
1,350 acres in the upper reaches of the Ortiz Mountains
Includes Placer Peak, the highest peak in the Ortiz range at 8,897 feet (2712 meters)
Was a center of mining activity during the New Mexico gold rush in the early mid- nineteenth century The Preserve contains several historic mine shafts
Located approximately 30 miles southwest of Santa Fe off the Turquoise Trail
Owned by Santa Fe County and managed by Santa Fe Botanical Garden
A right-of-way agreement through private property to access the Preserve
Ortiz Mountains Educational Preserve is a spectacular natural area, a ponderosa and piñon habitat with rich wildlife
Mining Industry Hiking Explorations Natural Beauty Botanical Garden at Museum Hill
Designed by landscape architect W. Gary Smith
Covering more than 12 acres
The Santa Fe Botanical Garden at Museum Hill The Orchard Gardens Ojos y Manos The Courtyard Gardens The Arroyo Trails
Mix of native plants and appropriate non-natives, which were chose for our unique environment Landscape Design Docent Tours Kearny Gap Bridge Board
Active Board Members, from a variety of backgrounds
Strong commitment to our organization
Built the beautiful Botanical Garden at Museum Hill
Work as volunteers and on larger scale projects
Current board president: Cathy Kalenian Staff
Cristina Francesca Fran Clayton Mollie Linda
Development Membership Volunteers CEO Education Managing and Events Director Volunteers
300 Active Volunteers
In 2012 – 10,000 volunteer hours
Help us double the number of volunteer hours
We need you! Visitor Services at the Botanical Garden at Museum Hill Docents at the Leonora Curtin Wetland Preserve Educational programs Special Events Gardeners in the Botanical Garden