Cheyenne Botanic Gardens

Cheyenne Botanic Gardens
Name	Cheyenne Botanic Gardens
Type	Public botanical garden
Location	Cheyenne, Wyoming, United States
Opened	1977
Operator	Cheyenne Botanic Gardens (non-profit)

Cheyenne Botanic Gardens is a public botanical garden and conservatory located in Cheyenne, the capital city of Wyoming. Established in 1977, it is renowned for its high-altitude horticulture, pioneering sustainable practices, and extensive community outreach programs. The gardens serve as a vital green space and educational resource for the High Plains region, operating under the guiding principle that "a community grows better when it grows together."

History

The origins of the gardens trace back to the early 1970s, when a group of local citizens, including members of the Laramie County University of Wyoming Master Gardeners program, envisioned a public horticultural space. With initial support from the Cheyenne City Council and the Wyoming State Legislature, the first greenhouse was constructed in Lions Park. The facility officially opened to the public in 1977 under the direction of its first horticulturist. A significant expansion occurred in 2006 with the opening of the Grand Conservatory, a landmark solar-heated structure that transformed the site's capacity. The gardens have since evolved through partnerships with entities like the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources.

Features and gardens

The grounds encompass several distinct garden areas designed to thrive in the challenging climate of the Rocky Mountains. The **Shane Smith Grand Conservatory** serves as the central hub, housing tropical and arid plant collections. Outdoor features include the **High Plains Alpine Garden**, showcasing native and adapted species, the **Pioneer Garden** with historic heirloom plants, and the **Peace Garden**, a contemplative space dedicated to international friendship. The **Wyoming Veterans Memorial Garden** honors the state's service members, while the **Botanic Gardens Plaza** hosts seasonal displays and public events. These landscapes are integrated with works from regional artists and educational signage developed in collaboration with the University of Wyoming Extension.

Paul Smith Children's Village

A cornerstone of the gardens' educational mission, the **Paul Smith Children's Village** is a two-acre interactive landscape designed for hands-on learning. Opened in 2013 and named for a longtime supporter and former director of the Wyoming Department of Agriculture, the village features themed areas such as a dinosaur dig pit, a sensory garden, a giant bird's nest, and a functioning child-sized greenhouse. This space is integral to the gardens' youth programming, which includes summer camps and school field trips aligned with Wyoming State Board of Education standards. It embodies the philosophy that early engagement with nature fosters lifelong environmental stewardship.

Solar Conservatory

The **Solar Conservatory**, part of the Grand Conservatory complex, is a nationally recognized model of renewable energy application in public horticulture. The passive solar structure, designed by architect James R. Becher, uses a south-facing glass wall and a thermal mass rock bed to capture and store heat from the sun, significantly reducing reliance on fossil fuels. This innovation has earned awards from the American Society of Landscape Architects and the EPA. The conservatory maintains a diverse collection of plants from global Mediterranean climate zones, demonstrating sustainable cultivation at an elevation of over 6,000 feet.

Community programs and sustainability

The gardens operate extensive outreach initiatives, including the **Greenhouse Therapy** program, which provides vocational horticulture training for seniors and individuals with disabilities. The **Youth Farm** project teaches sustainable agriculture to teenagers, with produce donated to local food banks like Needs Inc.. A strong emphasis on xeriscaping and water conservation is evident across the grounds, utilizing techniques endorsed by the Colorado Water Conservation Board. The gardens also host major community events such as the **Fall Festival** and **Holiday Lights Show**, drawing visitors from across the Front Range Urban Corridor.

Governance and funding

The gardens are operated by the private, non-profit **Cheyenne Botanic Gardens, Inc.**, which manages the facility through a cooperative agreement with the City of Cheyenne and its Cheyenne Board of Public Utilities. Funding is derived from a mix of municipal support, private donations, grants from organizations like the Wyoming Community Foundation, membership fees, and revenue from special events. The **Board of Directors** oversees strategic planning and fiscal management, ensuring the institution's alignment with its public service mission and long-term sustainability goals.

Category:Botanical gardens in Wyoming Category:Tourist attractions in Cheyenne, Wyoming Category:1977 establishments in Wyoming