View source for Western Colorado Botanical Gardens

{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox park
| name = Western Colorado Botanical Gardens and Butterfly House
| photo = 
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| type = [[botanical garden]]
| location = 641 Struthers Ave, [[Grand Junction, Colorado]], [[United States]]
| coords = {{coord|source:Wikidata|format=dms|display=it}}
| area = {{convert|15|acres|ha|abbr=on}}
| created = {{Start date|df=yes|1994}}
| operator =
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| open = Yes
| website = {{URL|https://wcbotanic.org}}
}}

The '''Western Colorado Botanical Gardens and Butterfly House''' is located at {{convert|15|acres|ha|abbr=on}} cite on the bank of [[Colorado River]] at the southern end of 7th Street in [[Grand Junction, Colorado]], [[United States]]. Garden is connected with ''Colorado River Trails system'' via walkways.<ref name="frommers">[https://www.frommers.com/destinations/grand-junction/attractions/western-colorado-botanical-gardens-and-butterfly-house  Western Colorado Botanical Gardens and Butterfly House] [[Frommer's]]</ref>

== History ==
The Gardens was developed on reclaimed site previously filled with thousands of used tires, junk car parts, and dead batteries.  Founded in 1994, The Gardens have been increasing in size of the facility since 2003.{{citation needed|date=June 2018}}
It is managed by a non profit organization known as STRIVE.

The Gardens  now have [[butterfly house]] and adjacent {{convert|4000|sqft|sqm|abbr=on}} [[greenhouse]] with  indoor [[tropical rain forest]].<ref>Emily Krempholtz [https://www.coloradoinfo.com/blog/11-public-botanical-gardens-explore-colorado 11 Public Botanical Gardens to Explore in Colorado] Colorado Activity Centers, Inc.</ref> It is featuring over 600 [[orchid]]s and other tropical plants from around the world.

A variety of outdoor gardens have been developed and/or planned, including a ''Cactus and Succulent Garden'', ''Children's Secret Garden'', ''Harmony In Color Garden'', ''International Garden'', ''Native Garden'', ''Seasonal Xeric Garden'', and ''Sensory Garden''.

== ''Native Garden'' ==
The ''Native Garden'' is a miniature replica of [[Colorado]]'s [[Grand Valley (Colorado-Utah)|Grand Valley]], including the [[Grand Mesa]], the [[Colorado National Monument]] and Mount Garfield, with plantings related to the 13 geological zones of Western Colorado.

== ''Cactus and Succulent Garden'' ==
The ''Cactus and Succulent Garden'' displays native [[cactus]] species, as well as other cold-hardy cactus and [[succulent]] plants.

== See also ==
{{Portal|Gardens}}
* [[List of botanical gardens in the United States]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Official|https://wcbotanic.org}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Botanical gardens in Colorado]]
[[Category:Butterfly houses]]
[[Category:Grand Junction, Colorado]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Mesa County, Colorado]]
[[Category:Protected areas of Mesa County, Colorado]]


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