Idaho Botanical Garden embarks on sustainable expansion

The Idaho Botanical Garden is undergoing a 10-acre expansion, designed to enhance visitor experience and promote sustainability.

Idaho Botanical Garden Horticulture Director, Colin Lyman explained, “The first phase of this expansion is increasing our parking and to have a parking experience as people enter in our parking garden, a new entrance, as well as adding a teaching arboretum and a therapeutic garden.”

The expansion aims to be sustainable, with Lyman noting, “What’s super unique and cool about gardens, is it’s not like a building. You build a building, you’re done, you come back in 40-50 years and you redo it, but a garden is always growing, it’s always changing it’s an ecosystem.”

The project will also be ADA compliant, featuring accessible grow boxes and raised beds. “Right below that, will be an open area about 10,000 sq feet that has a lot of grow boxes, raised beds, ADA beds, beds that will allow people in wheelchairs to be accessible,” Lyman said. The garden, a nonprofit, is seeking community support through donations, with $50 able to buy a tree. Donations can be made via the Idaho Botanical Garden website.