The Desert Botanical Garden

A small number of local individuals grew interested in preserving the vulnerable desert ecosystem in the 1930s. Gustaf Starck, a Swedish botanist, discovered like-minded residents by placing a sign that said, "Save the desert," with an arrow pointing to his house. They founded the Arizona Cactus and Native Flora Society (ACNFS) in April 1934 to finance a botanical garden to promote awareness, admiration, and promotion of the uniqueness of the world's deserts, notably the local Sonoran Desert. Gertrude Webster eventually contributed her enthusiasm, connections, and financial backing to the establishment of the botanical garden in Papago Park. Margaret Bell Douglas also contributed by contributing 1,500 specimens to the herbarium.

The Desert Botanical Garden is now a 140-acre (57 ha) botanical garden in Papago Park, 1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, Arizona. Founded in 1937 by the Arizona Cactus and Native Flora Society and moved to this location in 1939, the garden today comprises over 50,000 plants in over 4,000 taxa, one-third of which are native to the area, including 379 rare, vulnerable, or endangered species.

Special mention should be made of the extensive collections of agave (4,026 plants in 248 taxa) and cactus (13,973 plants in 1,320 taxa), particularly the Opuntia subfamily. Shade shelters protect plants from less harsh climate conditions. It focuses on plants suited to desert climates and includes collections from Australia, Baja California, and South America. A mesquite bosque, semi-desert grassland, and upland chaparral are also represented.

Founded: 1939

Location: Phoenix, Arizona, US

Area: 140 acres (57 ha)