CLOCKWISE, FROM LEFT: Giant cockroach in Chatfield’s “Jurassic Gardens” exhibit; a family checks out the Daspletosaur on Anna’s Overlook; “Flourish: Celebrating 50 Years at York Street” exhibition in the Gates Garden Court art gallery.

OUR TRANSFORMATION:

• During the Gardens’ 2009 signature exhibition, “Jurassic Gardens,” attendance for June and July increased 13 percent over the previous year. It was common to hear, “There’s another one!” – followed by shrieks of joy from children.

• Six indoor art exhibitions in the Gates Garden Court Gallery brought new visitors to the Gardens. Among the most popular were “Extinction: Artists Respond” and “Rare: Imperiled Plants of Colorado.”

• Nearly 13,000 visitors expanded their knowledge through use of the resources at the Helen Fowler Library. Members, staff and other researchers borrowed nearly 4,000 volumes during the year.

• The Library’s loan services assisted more than 90 institutions in 35 different states, from Florida to Washington.

• The Gardens resumed its publishing program with “Flourish: A Visionary Garden in the American West,” authored by Gardens horticulturists and community members.

• Sixteen students graduated from the Gardens’ Botanical Art & Illustration (BI) certificate program in 2009. During the year, the program hosted 102 courses, serving a total of 335 students.

2009 Denver Botanic Gardens Annual Report

• More than 2,700 visitors accessed the Gardens’ cell phone audio tour to learn about plants, gardens and plant evolution in 2009. Calls to the system totaled 3,429.

• New interpretation led visitors to a better understanding of the Sacred Earth Garden, addressing food, dye and fiber plants used by the Native Americans of the Colorado Plateau, and the popular Birds and Bees Walk presented information on pollination, flower structure, reproduction and plant/animal relationships. Additionally, garden identification and way-finding signage was installed throughout the Gardens.

• The Library’s Gardening Help program, managed jointly with the Denver County CSU Extension Office, answered 970 plant inquiries via 20 dedicated Master Gardener volunteers.

CLICK HERE to watch a video about our “Jurassic Gardens” signature exhibition. CLICK HERE to watch a video about the installation of this exhibit.

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