Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center and Botanical Gardens
Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center and Botanical Gardens is a nonprofit nature center and botanical garden on the grounds of the parent organization Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute in Texas , United States .
location
The botanical garden is located on Texas State Highway 118 about 4 mi (6 km) south of Fort Davis . The park spans 507 acres (205 hectares) of grassland, oak- lined hills, volcanic mountains, canyon streams and temporary wetlands in the Chihuahua Desert . The garden is located on a volcanic plateau north of a mountain foot.
The adobe visitor center is located at an altitude of 5040 ft (almost 1 mi = 5,280 ft; 1540 m ) above the sea . The mountains of the Davis Mountains in the area form a Sky Island with lower temperatures and, with increasing altitude, also increasing annual precipitation in relation to the surrounding desert plain.
garden
There are exhibits on the geology and history of the Davis Mountains and the link between culture and history and geology; there are also exhibits on the history and culture of mining in the desert.
The park offers hiking trails with a total length of almost 8 km, which lead to springs and ponds and allow the geology to be experienced, as well as offering panoramic views. Particularly noteworthy examples of the local flora are some specimens of strawberry trees (madrone), which are the largest of their kind in Texas, majestic specimens of late flowering bird cherry (Prunus serotina, Southwestern chokeberries) and hawthorns (Tracey hawthornes); seventeen species of ferns live in the crevices of the canyon walls, as well as many succulents and cacti .
The park also provides habitat for numerous bird species from the turkey vulture and turkey to the hummingbirds that winter in the area and resting places for migratory birds such as Montezuma quail , racing cuckoo and Trupiale (New World oriole).
The botanical section of the park covers 20 acres (8 hectares) and is home to 165 species of trees, bushes and perennials from the Chihuahua Desert in the arboretum .
A cactus and succulent collection with 200 species is housed in the greenhouse . Many of these species bloom in March and April.
A “wildscape garden” was laid out around the visitor center in 2004 to offer birds, small mammals and other animals places to eat, water and rest.
In Pollinator Garden especially hummingbirds, butterflies, bees, wasps and are since 2007 hoverflies (flower flies) are attracted. In the neighboring Moon Garden , the scents of night-blooming plants attract nocturnal pollinators. This project was funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services .
In 2004, the Chihuahuan Desert Field School was founded, originally aimed at students from Brewster County , Jeff Davis County, and Presidio Counties . It has now expanded its catchment area far beyond the Big Bend region . A life-long learning program is also offered, which has been recognized by the Texas Education Agency as a Continuing Professional Education Provider since 2008 .
See also
Individual evidence
Web links
Coordinates: 30 ° 32 '25.4 " N , 103 ° 50' 14.3" W.