Tohono chul
November 13, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM (MST)
7366 North Paseo del Norte, Tucson, AZ 85704
About
Embrace the authentic beauty of the Sonoran Desert year-round at Tohono Chul, Tucson’s charming crossroads of nature, art, and culture. Deemed “One of the World’s Ten Best Botanical Gardens” by Travel + Leisure Magazine, Tohono Chul has been celebrated by Tucson as one of its “best-kept secrets” for over a quarter of a century.
Set on 49 acres of lush desert, the vibrant offerings at Tohono Chul awaken your senses. Locals and visitors alike delight in the experience of having nature at their fingertips. Stroll along winding paths past soaring Saguaros, through themed botanical gardens, and marvel at a chance encounter with a resident hummingbird. Enjoy a quiet retreat in the artfully designed relaxation spots sprinkled throughout the lush grounds. Various art and garden exhibits reveal the unique qualities of the Sonoran region and renew a deep appreciation for the treasures of the desert.
Focus: Plant Curation, Conservation, and Horticulture
Join Tohono Chul to learn how we are using our Living Collections to create a haven for humans and wildlife in the Sonoran Desert of the American Southwest. This event will be an opportunity to share best practices and tips for getting the most out of living collections at public gardens, and to network with peer institutions facing, and overcoming, similar challenges. The day will focus on four pillars of living collections management:
Horticultural Management: How Living Collections records can be used to shape horticultural management, support high standards of care, and increase the efficiency of horticulture teams
Conservation: Information about the provenance and conservation status of plants in your collection can be used to help guide ex-situ conservation efforts at your garden, and create a basis for collaborating with other institutions to preserve the genetic diversity of plants in arid environments
Data Management: When dealing with living organisms it’s important that data is updated regularly and organized so that it can be accessible in the future. Long-term data sets can help researchers answer important questions about plants such as phenology, biotic and abiotic limitations, horticultural needs, and growth rate.
Public Engagement: Living Collections tools like Hortis, Iris BG, and BG Base can be repositories for information that can be shared with the public and used to create compelling narratives that generate public investment in your living collection.
Event Schedule (subject to change):
10:00-11:00 AM: Tour of the grounds highlighting the ways that living collections records help us understand and manage our gardens
11am-12:00 PM: The story of Living Collection at Tohono Chul, detailing our journey from having virtually no records for our living collection, to having mapped the entire collection of the garden.
12:00-1:00 PM: Lunch (provided) in the Adaptive Arboretum
1:00-2:00 PM: An overview of plant records at Tohono Chul and how long-term data is guiding conservation and research at the garden
2:00-3:00 PM: The role of living collections data in creating public-facing materials and informing engagement
3:00-4:00 PM: Roundtable discussion on using living collections to build partnerships among regional gardens.
5:00-8:00 PM: Participants will have reserved seating for Tohono Chul’s Weekly “Jazz Under The Stars” event at the Garden Bistro (optional)
Hotel: Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort & Spa
A Sophisticated Sonoran Retreat
Welcome to 80 acres of desert oasis in the pristine Sonoran Desert. Originally built as a hacienda-style family home in 1912, the Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort and Spa offers an upscale Southwestern experience with modern conveniences. Each of the hotel’s 241 well-appointed rooms offers a private balcony with breathtaking views of the surrounding desert landscape. Its location near Sabino Canyon, Saguaro National Park, and Tucson Mall puts you in easy reach of many of Tucson’s best attractions.
Indulge in a soothing treatment at the Sonoran Spa or savor local flavors at the on-site restaurants. Refresh in one of three sparkling pools or unwind in the hot tubs after a day of exploring the nature paths on horseback.
Group Rate: $189 USD per night (for a junior suite)
