where utahs future grows.. location the utah botanical center is located 20 miles north of salt lake...

Where Utah’s Future Grows.

Location

• The Utah Botanical Center is located 20 miles north of Salt Lake City in Kaysville

• Moved from Farmington location that had been in use since 1902

• Highway construction forced relocation

• Kaysville site adjacent to existing Agricultural Experiment Station farm

Aerial Photo - June 2004

The Utah Botanical Center will guide the conservation and wise use of plant, water, and energy resources through research-based educational experiences, demonstrations, and technologies.

Mission Statement

• Conservation & Preservation - Open space, plant conservation, etc.

• Sustainability - Sensitive architectural and landscape design, economically sound

• Education & Extension - Education is the single most valuable , compelling and attractive service the Center can provide to stakeholders

• Community & Economic Development - Supporting the community

• Research - Furthering mission-appropriate research areas, sharing information

Where Utah’s Future Grows.

Major Objectives

Current Conditions

Residential Water Use

Outdoors 67%

Showers & Baths 6%

Dishwasher & Other Domestic 1%

Toilets 9%

ClothesWashers 7%

Leaks 5%

Faucets 5%

Site Overview

• UBC site covers 100 acres and includes four ponds that cover 23 acres

• Ponds provide a unique resource for classes, field trips, and demonstrations

• Site adjacent to Kaysville Research Farm that covers 60 acres

Aerial Photo - June 2004

Greenhouse

• First facility constructed on site• Completed in 2001• 2000 SF propagation area• 2000 SF production area• 4000 SF headhouse and offices

Facilities: Greenhouse/Nursery

Youth fishing camp

Fishing Camp Photo

Fishing Camp Curriculum

• Camp is held one day a week for 6-8 weeks in the evening

• Each day starts with a 30 minute lesson followed by 90 minutes of fishing on the ponds

• Topics covered include casting, knots, equipment, fish and aquatic biology, the water cycle, ethics, and rules

Ready to fish!

I got one!!!

Fishing Camp Supper

Boy Scout Merit Badge Classes

• Environmental Science

• Energy• Landscape

Architecture• Bird Study

Scout birding merit badge class

Girl Scout Badge Classes

• Initial class on Plant Science

• Other classes to be added

• Adventure packs on birding, horticulture, and recycling can be checked out for leader-directed activities

Master Naturalist Program

• A new program starting in the fall of ’07

• Includes 40 hours of instruction in the classroom and on field trips

• Goal is to develop volunteers who provide education on natural and cultural resources in the local area

• Junior master naturalist segment of program is planned in the future

Master Naturalist

• First module will cover Aquatics and Wetlands

• Second module on Arid Lands• Third module on Alpine and Montane

Systems

Facilities: Utah House

Energy Star certified home (30% reduction in energy use over state building codes

Currently 60% more energy efficient than a comparable home (use of photo-voltaics)

Currently 50-60% reduction in water use than a comparable home (rainwater collection system)

As waterwise landscape matures, water savings will increase

Finishes and materials were selected that are low in chemical off-gassing (VOC, formaldehyde, etc.)

The Utah House is fully accessible to people of all ages and physical abilities - ADA

House was constructed to increase sustainable and efficient use of natural resources (recycled products, waste reduction, etc.)

Facilities: Utah House

Facilities: Utah House

Facilities: Utah House

Facilities: Trailhead Pavilion

Adventure Summer Camps

Summer Camps

• Camps are designed for a particular age group and are held in the morning during four consecutive days

• Pirates of the Ponds is for grades 5-6 and includes water experiments, pond exploration, and hidden treasure

• Crazy as it sounds, unique titles help with registration

Summer Camps

• Other camps include Artistic Adventures for grades 3-6 and focused on using various art media

• Owls, Spells, and Potions for grades 3-4 and focused on fun science experiments

• Slimy, Gooey, Gross for grades 1-2 and focused on worms, bats, and icky stuff

Summer camp activity

Ice Blocking Activity

School Field Trips

• For both elementary and secondary grades, K-12

• Focus on hands-on experiences at the Utah House, around the ponds, and at the greenhouse

• Correlated with state core curriculum

School Field Trips

• Grade 1 discusses ways plants and people use water

• Water Appreciation Activity focused on all the ways we use water during the day

• If there was no water, what are some things we could no longer do?

School Field Trips

• Grade 4 trip discusses wetlands, the water cycle, and adaptations to wet and dry environments

• Interactive game that asks how many gallons of water are used for different activities such as teeth brushing

• Demonstration of landscape irrigation using sprinklers and drip tubing

Youth Service Projects

• Initial projects focused on cleaning up debris around the ponds

• Juvenile Court community service youth pulled over 120 cubic yards of tires, trash, and barrels from the water

• Church youth groups removed old fences and built gravel walkways around the greenhouse

Facilities: Pond Rehabilitation

Eagle Scout Projects

• Since 2001, a total of 37 Eagle Scout service projects have been completed

• Projects included installing a flag pole, building 20 bat houses and 77 bird houses, and cleaning up weeds around the ponds

• Youth volunteers have donated over 4000 hours over the last six years

Youth volunteers planting trees

Master Plan - Bird’s Eye View

Home & Garden Neighborhood

Visitor’s Plaza – Café, Gift Shop

Wetland Education Center

Where Utah’s Future Grows.