The Gardens at the Colorado State University Extension Office - Mesa County

Placed on the Internet October 13, 2004 10:59 PM; Updated July 5, 2010

Introduction: Concept and Purpose

Why an Arboretum?

How can you get involved?

Introduction:

An arboretum is a “place where trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants are cultivated for scientific and educational purposes.” The purpose of the Colorado State University Extension is to disseminate and generate research-based information; consequently an arboretum fits the mission of Extension extremely well.

The demonstaton and research gardens at the Mesa County Arboretum at The Gardens extend along a narrow strip of previously undeveloped property at the Mesa County Fairgrounds on the south edge of the main parking lot and adjacent to the BMX racing complex and B road. This portion of the site is nearly 600’ long and over 50,000 square feet in size.

An additional 26,000+ square feet of manicured gardens are located on the east, south and north sides of our office complex and extend into the parking lot to provide additional space for horticultural education activities for the region. The Grdens will always be a place to visit and learn about water-wise gardening.

The newest section of the Mesa County Arboretum is the Ute Ethnobotany Learning Garden. Located west of our office complex, this set of gardens and structures provides a place where one can learn about the life of Ute Indians and the plants they used prior to Europeans moving into western Colorado. This series of gardens represent the life zones of Western Colorado from the Desert to the Montane Zone. This project is a joint effort of Colorado State University Extension, the Bureau of Land Management, US Forest Service, Ute Indian Tribe and Mesa State College.

Why an Arboretum?

An Arboretum is:

  • A living library of trees, ornamental grasses, shrubs and other plant material relatively unfamiliar but adapted to western Colorado and eastern Utah.
  • A demonstration area for plant lovers, school groups and others to enjoy and learn about new plants and trees adapted to Western Colorado and how native plants were used by the American Indians.
  • A location for people to commemorate a great occasion or achievement, or to honor a loved one
  • A wheelchair friendly environment with walks constructed in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act
  • An amphitheater with seating for up to 200 people for environmental and educational programs
  • A research facility where plant water use is studied

To learn how to get involved contact with The Garden and it's activities, contact Dr. Curtis E. Swift Curtis.Swift@colostate.edu