Let it grow
The Durango Botanical Society has received $12,500 in seed money to support its Demonstration Garden at the Durango Public Library. 

The money was a grant from Colorado Garden Show Inc.,  which awarded nearly $402,000 in horticulture-related grants throughout Colorado. Since the 1970s, CGS has awarded more than $5 million using proceeds from the annual Colorado Garden & Home Show.

“We couldn’t be more excited to support Durango Botanical Society’s Library Demonstration Garden,” said Jim Fricke, Colorado Garden Show executive director. “They are a true asset to their community and we hope this grant helps them reach their gardening goals.”

Founded in 2010, the Durango Botanical Society’s mission is to design and develop public gardens throughout town for educational purposes. In partnership with the City of Durango and the Public Library, the group transformed an unsightly weed patch along the river trail into a veritable flora showcase.

The garden was designed by Lisa Bourey, a horticulturalist and DBS Board member. It was built with the help of untold volunteer hours, with local residents and businesses also donating materials and labor. Right now, the garden is in its last stages of completion with a sculpture installation and interpretive signs planned for later this month.

Meanwhile, the Botanical Society is developing a Docent Program and actively looking for their next site. A Corporate Garden?  Another Cityscape?  Another trail enhancement? Ideas are welcomed by Cindy Smart, DBS executive director, at dbs81301@gmail.com

Pause for paws
Local residents have a chance to lend a hand to their furry, foraging neighbors this month. Kroegers Ace Hardware and Bear Smart Durango are teaming up to sell $1 and $5 “bear paws” as a fund-raiser for Bear Smart. Donations will support Bear Smart’s ongoing efforts to educate residents on bearproofing domiciles and coexisting with black bears. Funds will also be used to make bear-proofing more available in the community and find long-lasting solutions to human-bear conflict.

For questions, contact Bear Smart Durango at 749-4262 or bp@frontier.net.