activities · 6
what they do
direct service · 4
- Hosting Multi-Sensory Art Exhibits Recurring Community Art WalksHosts "Desert Pulse" and "FRAMERATE: Desert Pulse," multi-sensory art exhibits that use photography, motion, and sound to deepen public appreciation of the Sonoran Desert ecosystem. This includes four monumental outdoor video installations, an immersive indoor experience at The RAF Exhibit Gallery, and a behind-the-scenes gallery on the creation of Desert Pulse, with a 24-minute continuous video loop across 20 screens.
- Operating a Botanical Garden and Plant CollectionManages 55 acres of cultivated land for desert plant displays, featuring over 50,000 plant displays in outdoor exhibits, cultivating 4,818 plant species in the Living Collection, and providing care for 520 rare and endangered plant species. The garden operates as a living museum housing over 50,000 plants from more than 4,000 different species.
- Providing Educational and Recreational ProgramsOffers a variety of educational and recreational programs including "After Dark" experiences, "Game on at the Garden" events, hands-on craft activities, "Dog Days at Garden After Dark" and "Dog Days at the Garden" events, "Sunset Yoga" sessions, and an immersive nature play space for children called "Cactus Clubhouse." The garden also provides educational content about native Sonoran Desert plants and monarch butterflies.
- Showcasing Emerging Artists and Special Events Horticultural Exhibitions and Plant SalesPresents "Desert Studio: Emerging Artists Series" to showcase new talent, music, and album releases. The garden also hosts the Central Arizona Cactus & Succulent Society Annual Show & Sale and features night-blooming cactus along its trails.
research · 1
- Maintaining a Herbarium CollectionMaintains 103,250 herbarium specimens for research and conservation purposes.
capacity building · 1
- Providing Online Educational Resources Community Garden Programming with EducationOffers online resources through "Your Garden at Home" including activities, conservation stories, and information on plants.
strategies · 4
how they think
Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any to see the full field of orgs running the same approach.
- Communicate environmental data and conservation through art and exhibits art-based environmental educationThe organization uses exhibition components and multi-sensory art installations (combining photography, motion, and sound) to communicate environmental monitoring data, mitigation strategies, and conservation messaging, fostering deeper public appreciation of desert ecosystems and highlighting protected species.
- Embrace diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility diversity_equity_inclusionThe organization fosters an inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible environment for employees and aims to represent the community it serves, upholding social responsibility and impact.
- Foster public appreciation and stewardship through immersive experiences public_engagement_through_beautyThe organization promotes public appreciation and stewardship of desert plants by providing immersive experiences that engage visitors with the beauty of the botanical collections.
- Integrate sustainability into art production and exhibition sustainability-integrated art productionThe organization integrates sustainable values by rigorously assessing and documenting environmental impacts throughout the production and exhibition of artwork, making decisions that may cost more but have less environmental impact.
named programs · 7
what they call their work
Cactus Clubhouse
A fun and immersive nature play space for kids 12 and younger, designed to spark curiosity for nature and encourage exploration.
Desert Studio: Emerging Artists Series
A series showcasing emerging artists, new music, and album drops for Garden members and music lovers.
Dog Days at the Garden
Events allowing visitors to bring their dogs to stroll through the Garden's trails.
FRAMERATE: Desert Pulse
A multi-sensory art exhibit by ScanLAB Projects featuring five monumental video installations that immerse visitors in the visual and emotional energy of the Sonoran Desert through photography, motion, and sound.
Spring Garden: After Dark
An evening experience where the garden trails glow with color, featuring themed nights like Game Night, Craft & Brews, and Dog Days After Dark.
Sunset Yoga
Yoga sessions led by Metta Yoga, offering participants a chance to unwind and connect with nature.
Your Garden at Home
An online resource featuring activities, conservation stories, and information about plants in bloom.
relationships · 12
who they work with
- American Alliance of Museums Network — One of only 35 botanical gardens accredited by the American Alliance of Museums
- Central Arizona Cactus & Succulent Society Partner — Hosts the Annual Show & Sale for the society.
- Gertrude’s by Tarbell’s Partner — Provides dining experiences and special cocktails during "After Dark" events.
- Kathy Murillo (aka The Crafty Chica) Partner — Leads hands-on craft activities during "After Dark" events.
- Leslie Tyger of The Scrap Bar Partner — Leads hands-on craft activities during "After Dark" events.
- Linda Larson Partner — Guest speaker at the Annual Members Meeting.
- Metta Yoga Partner — Leads "Sunset Yoga" sessions at the garden.
- Rivian Automotive Inc. Partner — Provides an electric R1T vehicle for shared use, supporting the "Desert Pulse" exhibit.
- ScanLAB Projects Partner — Collaborated on the "FRAMERATE: Desert Pulse" art exhibit.
- ScanLAB Projects Partner — Collaborated to create the Desert Pulse multi-sensory art exhibit.
- ScanLAB Projects Partner — Collaborates on the "Desert Pulse" multi-sensory art exhibit.
- ScanLAB Projects Partner — Collaborates on the creation and sustainability assessment of the Desert Pulse artwork.