CLOCKWISE, FROM LEFT: Tower crane in the parking structure during construction; El Pomar Waterway; Bonfils-Stanton Visitor Center; Offshoots at the Gardens café.

By spring, things looked promising. New grants to support our research and conservation programs were coming in. Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfi eld was thriving. Our signature exhibit, “Jurassic Gardens,” brought in a herd of dinosaurs that attracted throngs of visitors. A new interactive display, called the Omni- Globe, mesmerized onlookers. Massive capital investment began to pay off as we opened level after level of new parking, as well as our new entrance and gift shop, The Shop at the Gardens. Offshoots, a cool bistro with views of the Boettcher Memorial Tropical Conservatory, opened and began delighting diners. Educational classes set new records.

By the end of the year, the Gardens saw a new record of visitation, despite all the holes.

It was a long, hard, fulfilling slog. We knew the work would set the stage for the next 50 years, so every bit of struggle was worth it. Of course.

Every bit of transformation could be chalked up to a simple fact. For every hole, there was a pile. Abundance. We had generous donors, visionary trustees, talented staff and faithful members. The construction crews were professional, efficient and skilled.

We are all inspired by plants, their diversity and durability, their surprises and reliability. It is hard to imagine a place where the power of plants is on greater display than at Denver Botanic Gardens.

The lesson from 2009 was particularly appropriate: Plant lovers know that every garden begins with holes. Onward!

BRIAN VOGT Chief Executive Officer

2009 Denver Botanic Gardens Annual Report 3