Mission and History of the Durango Botanical Society The Durango Botanical Society is committed to the design and development of public gardens throughout Southwest Colorado for the purposes of education and demonstration Founded in 2010 By a group of volunteer garden enthusiasts. This quote was their mantra. “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead

Our Vision: If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need. We started with a colorful general garden plan and a vision.

DAY ONE A group of volunteers with a dream and $ The backhoe starts to dig The Garden Path Along Trail This is not grass. Debris from demolition and construction was just inches under the weeds.

Today an award winning garden compliments the library and the trail.

Awards and Recognitions Plant Select Demonstration garden Plant Select Test Facility Plant Select Growing Partner Showcase Garden Award American Public Garden Association 11 Rock Gardens of Colorado Audubon Garden Habitat Hero Garden

Our strategic plan dictated a new garden project should be started in The library has been a great partner. While researching our new project we found a Chinese proverb, “a book is like a garden in your pocket”, we realized this was our fate. Develop a new plan at the library. Why stop there?

Why build a public garden at the library? Public gardens are non-profit cultural institutions that have missions focusing on science, plants, art, and technology through horticulture education, entertainment and lifestyle enrichment. The library and the gardens are community gathering places in the best sense of the word. There can be singular connections or large group connections. There are several ways that this project will impact the community.

What will be new? The newer gardens developed around the world use state of the art communication devices to make sure they attract all age groups. PMT’s! (personal mobile technology) Technology plays a big role in new public garden development and education. Creating a connection between the library and the garden ensures that the gardens focus on the education and development of future generations that value nature and reading. Connecting our gardens and library to other institutions ensures relevance and variety Impacts Innovation and Growth

What impact will we have? Besides creating a happier world. Economic impacts are relevant as visitors learn about the garden and visit it. Tourist dollars are also relevant when someone stays longer and lingers in a community that has features such as a garden, museum, library or cultural center. Healthy communities have thriving public gardens, libraries and trails. Durango will have the best of both worlds. These gardens are connected by the trail and will be connected to the world. $$$$ Sometimes we also just have to have fun!

A new public garden project by the Durango Botanical Society. Durango Botanic Gardens at the Library

Meet the TEAM Meet the team: Durango Botanic Garden Committee Camilla Potter Director of the Literary Garden Theresa Anderson Director of the Zen Garden Cindy Smart Executive Director Jane Gould Lisa Bourey Erik Lewis Landscape Designer Design Consultant Landscape Contractor Margaret Cozine Library Representative and Docent

Team Vision The Beauty of Nature and Public Gardens Public gardens offer peaceful meditative places to rejuvenate your spirits or a place read a book. The random look of these gardens were actually planned this way. Public gardens celebrate the seasons and are open all year. Lights create a whimsical festive look to this garden path in the winter.

Team Vision The Beauty of Nature and Public Gardens This public alpine botanic garden allows visitors to enjoy a natural alpine setting on easy to walk pathways. The world is full of beautiful places that nature bestowed upon us. Public gardens replicate these scenes so that more people can enjoy the beauty of nature.

Team Vision The Beauty of Nature and Public Gardens The comfort of being in touch with nature whether in the wild or a public garden lets you know you’re welcome there.

Part of our general marketing statements.

The Durango Botanic Garden at the Library Amphitheater: What do we see?

The Durango Botanic Gardens The Literary Gardens The Literary Garden celebrates authors who celebrated gardens.

The Literary Garden has six pods. Six Garden Pods The Classic Garden The Contemporary Garden The Indigenous Garden The Regional Garden The Youth Garden The DBS Selection and Rotating Garden

The Durango Botanic Gardens The Zen Garden Waterfall made from a Japanese Torii gate A haiku Station connected to the world. A tree’s laughter is the same as a child’s. Can you hear it? A sunset waiting for a haiku poet now……. perching crow waits too. Meditative walkways A place for yoga

The Durango Botanic Gardens The Children’s Garden A garden offering an intriguing voyage of discovery. Another way to open the doors that open books.

The Durango Botanic Gardens at the Library

What’s happened so far! Strategic Plan Implementation for 2016 City MOU, Committee Development The Garden Design, Bids, Contractor Time-line Preparation for Public Viewing of Plans

What’s Happens Next! Strengthen our partnership with the city and the library Schedule Commission and Board Reviews Start Scheduling Public Viewings and Community Fund Raising Start the Crowd Sourcing Fund

What’s Happens Next! Start researching Technology and developing Interactive Signage Seek New Art and Develop the Art on Loan Program Develop outline for purpose and use of space

What are your expectations? What timeline do you see for this project? What would success look like to you? How do you see yourself involved? Where do the funds come from? Who benefits financially?

Thank you for coming! Please use the index cards that are around the plans to leave us your ideas and thoughts. Now let’s look at the Plans! MY IDEAS AND COMMENTS