Mrs. Gertrude Divine Webster, an environmentalist ahead of her time, founded the Desert Botanical Garden in 1939.  Mrs. Webster, in conjunction with a small group of Valley citizens, gathered in Papago Park to create a botanical garden whose precepts would encourage an understanding, appreciation and promotion of the uniqueness of the world’s deserts, particularly the Sonoran Desert.  They foresaw the Valley’s potential and unique identity, envisioning the need to conserve their beautiful desert environment.  The Desert Botanical Garden, since its inception in 1939, continues to be a testament to their vision.

The Desert Botanical Garden sits on 145 acres and has more than 50,000 plants on display including a Living Collection (including more than 21,000 accessioned plants) and a Rare and Endangered Collection (including more than 328 seeds and 213 plants).  Through the research department’s partnership with educational institutions and government agencies, research staff is working to ensure the plants of the Sonoran Desert are conserved and preserved for generations to come.

The Garden acts with the environment as its priority and is continually implementing best practices to achieve this – a task that is never truly complete.  As new information and technologies become available, the Garden will evaluate and if feasible, implement these practices.  Current initiatives include energy efficiency, water conservation, recycling and composting. 

Energy Use

• Using renewable energy to meet 100% of the Garden’s electricity needs.  Solar panels on Dorrance Hall supply up to 8% of these needs
• Started to changing incandescent light bulbs to Compact Fluorescent Lights and other lower-energy bulbs.
• Staff turns off monitors each night and computer updates have been moved to a mid-week time frame.

Water Use
The Garden’s utilization of native landscaping assists in minimizing water usage. 

Recycling

• The Garden recycles #1 & #2 plastics, paper, cardboard, aluminum, steel and glass.  Receptacles have bee installed throughout the Garden that separate waste and recyclable materials. 
• Four out of six of print vendors use Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) standards.
• All copy machine default settings are for double-sided printing.
• Encouraging catering companies to be environmentally conscious encouraging reusable, recyclable, or decomposable materials whenever possible. 

Composting
The Garden delivers all green waste for composting to Singh Farms.  In addition, the Garden purchases this compost for use in the Garden. 

If you are interested in learning more about sustainability, the Garden teaches the community sustainable environmental practices through educational programs and outreach and the Desert Landscaper School, which focuses on xeriscape and native plants.  Come check out the beauty of Desert Botanical Garden – you’ll see not only the unique flora of the Sonoran Desert, but how the Garden is working to preserve that environment!