FREE DAY
Enjoy a special free day at Denver Botanic Gardens, thanks to funding from the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD).
Monday, July 21
The theme of this free day is The Glory of Summer.
FAMILY DAYS
Bring the family to Denver Botanic Gardens on the weekends to explore the world of plants this summer. On selected weekends this summer, we’ll roll out the red carpet for families with a variety of fun garden activities and projects to take home. Activities will be available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. each of the selected days. Families can drop in at any point during this period and stay as long they would like.
Family Days for July:
Plant Olympics
Sat. July 5 and Sun. July 6
Discover the world of plant extremes as your family investigates a wide variety of plants from big to small, dry to wet, white to black. Discover which plants grow the tallest, fastest and biggest and which ones prefer to stay small and take their time. Start a plant race to take home where your family can discover which plants measure up.
CAMPS FOR KIDS
Denver Botanic Gardens offers fun-filled camps for kids. Be sure to sign up for one of the following sessions:
July 7-11, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., KidCamp Session I (ages 6-12)
Kids will enjoy conducting scientific experiments and observations, making yummy things to eat and creating great art projects.
July 14-18, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., KidCamp Session II (Ages 6-12)
Kids will enjoy conducting scientific experiments and observations, making yummy things to eat and creating great art projects.
July 28- Aug. 1, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., PSI: Plant Science Investigators camp (ages 12-14)
Come join the ranks of Plant Detectives and investigate some of the secrets of plant life. This week is sure to excite the budding scientist.
BIRDHAUS BASH
July 10, 5-8:30 p.m.
Presented in partnership with Denver Botanic Gardens’ Associates, this year’s Birdhaus Bash features nearly 150 imaginative birdhouses that will be auctioned off to the public in all their color, creativity and design whimsy. Ribbons will be awarded to entries demonstrating the latest in nesting chic, in categories such as Best in Show, Amazing American Birdhaus and Ultra Urban Natured Birdhaus. This festive event will feature entertainment and delicious food and beverages for guests as they enjoy the natural beauty of the Gardens. All proceeds support youth education and adult tour guide programs at the Gardens. Tickets: Adult General Ticket $50, Adult Member Ticket $40, Adult Artist Tickets $20, Child Artist Ticket (15 and under) $5, All Child Tickets (ages 4-15) $10.
The presenting sponsor of Birdhaus Bash is Perry & Company Real Estate Professionals.
COMMUNITY FILM SCREENING AND
LOCAL FOOD OPEN HOUSE
“The Real Dirt on Farmer John”
Mitchell Hall
Thursday, July 24, 7 p.m.
Join us for our first independent film screening of the year! Meet Farmer John, whose inspirational story has won accolades and awards at film festivals around the world. “The Real Dirt on Farmer John” charts the story of a family farm from its traditional roots through its reinvention as a haven for hippies and artists, its tragic collapse in the farm debt crisis of the ‘80s, and finally its transformation into one of the largest Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farms in the United States – a beacon of today’s booming organic farming movement. Come early to visit an expo of local farmers, co-ops, community gardens and markets, and meet your local “Farmer Johns!”
A $10 donation is suggested; pre-registration is recommended due to limited space.
TECHNOLOGY DAY
July 31
Members of the local technology community will enjoy free admission on Technology Day while they learn about the technological rebuild taking place at the Gardens. A team of member organizations from CSIA (Colorado Software and Internet Association), including the Gardens’ Technology Task Force Committee, will demonstrate how it is using technology to connect people with the natural world. See actual product demos of new features such as fully enabled Wi-Fi across the Gardens, our re-designed Web site with blogging and video capabilities, HD video conferencing and much more. Technology professionals are also encouraged to stroll the grounds, bring their teams out for a meeting, network with their peers, participate in a panel discussion on technology and philanthropy, and get involved in the technological transformation at the Gardens. For more information, contact Matt Garland at mgarland@teksystems.com.
FREE WILDFLOWER TOURS ON MOUNT GOLIATH
Tuesdays and Thursdays through Aug. 7 and Saturdays July 5, July 26 and Aug. 2
Discover the life cycles and lore of alpine tundra and the intense beauty of a natural garden that lasts only 40 frost-free days on a free guide-led tour on the M. Walter Pesman Trail of Mount Goliath. The hike is a moderately difficult 1.5-mile downhill trek from an altitude of 12,152 to 11,540 feet. Mount Goliath, a mountain peak section of the Mount Evans area, is 17 miles from Idaho Springs and located within the Arapaho National Forest. The wildflowers, ancient bristlecone pine trees and awesome vistas make for a delightful hike in one of Colorado’s most beautiful natural areas. Hikes begin at 8:45 a.m. and leave from the kiosk titled Mount Evans Scenic Byway, located adjacent to the Echo Lake Lodge parking lot off of Highway 103.
Reservations are required. Call 720-865-3539 to register.
2008 FITNESS WALKS & T'AI CHI
Every Tuesday morning through Aug. 26, 7-9 a.m.
Enjoy a fitness walk throughout Denver Botanic Gardens in its early morning glory. Additionally, a T'ai Chi class will be offered by the T'ai Chi Project from 7:15-8:15 a.m. All fitness levels are welcome and healthy snacks will be provided by AARP. Free admission for Denver Botanic Gardens, AARP and T’ai Chi members. There is a suggested donation of $5 for the general public/non-members. The presenting sponsor of Fitness Walks & T’ai Chi is AARP.
STORY TIME IN THE GARDENS
Saturdays and Sundays through Sept. 21, 10-11 a.m.
Children of all ages will enjoy listening to stories about plants, animals and nature from storytellers. Set in the Children’s Secret Path, entrance is included with admission to the Gardens.
2008 ART EXHIBITS AT THE GARDENS
Japanese Paintings, Prints and Pages
Connors Exhibition Case in Gates Garden Court
April 5 – July 6
Original wash paintings by Koichi Kawana and woodblock prints by Nisaburo Ito from the Helen Fowler Library’s Waring Collection will be displayed in the Library. Rare books on Japanese gardens and gardening, as well as suisekis (Japanese art rocks), will also be presented. The exhibit will recount the history of the Gardens’ Japanese Garden, Shofu-en (Garden of Wind & Pines), and may include works on loan from the Japanese Association of Colorado. Additional interpretation will relate this exhibit to Shofu-en, which also includes an authentic, traditional Japanese Tea House.
*2008 SIGNATURE EXHIBITION*
URBAN NATURE
Through Nov. 30
Always an urban oasis, the Gardens is embracing the city in new ways in 2008. “Urban Nature” explores the intersection of the urban environment and the natural world through art and horticultural practices, outlining strategies that all city dwellers can employ to evoke the natural world as green space diminishes amid concrete and steel. A sense of contrast, yet balance, with the natural gardens will be realized through paintings by more than 10 local, national and internationally-known street-style painters and mural artists including prominent international personalities Lady Pink, Mac, and Siloette – all of whom have contributed to the ever-evolving history of street-style art. Other local and regional talent includes artists Amanda Marie, Elisabeth Bunker, Delton Demarest, Dread, Sophie Fernandez, Javier Flores, Stevon Lucero, Jolt, Mission, Adam Moorhead, Todd Robinson, Ian Rumley, and Wiser.
Balcony displays, container gardening, and the concept of the urban homestead and other unique horticultural practices for city dwellers will be highlighted, as well. Pertinent issues facing city life will be addressed through a comprehensive program schedule, including panel discussions, music performances, and educational classes for the urban gardener. Additional indoor exhibitions will address concepts of urban nature as well, including botanical illustrations highlighting indoor plants and city weeds.
Several exhibits at the Gardens complement “Urban Nature” including:
“Synthesis” – Denver Botanic Gardens – Gates Garden Court
Denver Botanic Gardens presents the art of Denver native Robin Schaefer. Schaefer has been exhibiting in the community since 2003. She uses traditional oil painting techniques to execute work that is complex and alluring, exposing subtle yet vivid details. Schaefer’s portraits of fruits and vegetables often juxtapose severe, human-made objects. These images evoke vulnerability and the tension between nature and the built environment. “Synthesis” runs July 15 through Aug. 29.
“The Art of Nature” – Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield
Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield will host “The Art of Nature” exhibit. This presentation of art embraces natural materials. Panoramic vistas of the foothills serve as the backdrop for site-specific installations by Durango-based environmental artist Mary Ellen Long. These works illustrate how people can express themselves by harnessing nature’s own tools from the earth. “The Art of Nature” will take place through Nov. 30.
Visit www.botanicgardens.org for more information.
The presenting sponsor of “Urban Nature” is Wells Fargo.
Portraits of Heirloom Plants
Connors Exhibition Case in Gates Garden Court
July 8 – Aug. 31
The Gardens’ Botanical Illustration program exhibits careful renderings of perennial flowers and vegetables from the class of heirloom plants. These plants, many no longer used in modern large-scale agricultural or horticultural efforts, are enjoying a return to popularity. Many gardeners grow them for their historical interest, others to preserve the plant for future generations.
GARDENING HELP
We have answers to your gardening questions! Colorado Master Gardeners are available to answer questions every Tuesday, Saturday and Free Day from March-September from 12-4 p.m. (In June and July, the program is also staffed on Thursdays). New this year, the program will run year-round. Days and hours for October-February to be determined.
Access our experts the following ways:
In-person at the Gardens' Helen Fowler Library
By phone: 720-865-3575
Via e-mail: gardeninghelp@botanicgardens.org
Gardening Help is a joint program of Colorado State University Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners and Denver Botanic Gardens.
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© Denver Botanic Gardens, 1005 York Street, Denver, CO 80206