Santa Fe, NM: On Thursday morning, June 4, Santa Fe Botanical dedicated the future site of the Barbara Goede Children’s Discovery Garden. Over 100 guests including Barb herself, elected and appointed officials, Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce, founding members and major donors, and programming partners joined the Board and staff for a celebration of this new garden space. Over 40 children from 5 – 11 years-old were an integral part of the morning. They were engaged in activities – from mud play to building an insect habitat – throughout the site as a demonstration of the kinds of experiential, nature-based programming the Children’s Discovery Garden will offer for children, youth, families and school groups.

During the ceremony, a special announcement was made: A group of donors including Kimberley and Scott Sheffield, have pledged $1.25 million to the Garden as a community challenge. Gifts to the “Rooted in Place, Growing Forward” Campaign will be matched dollar for dollar. Scott and Kimberley Sheffield share that, “We are excited to contribute to outdoor education at the Garden and hope others will participate in this challenge match.”

Laura Leach, Executive Director, says, “This is an incredible opportunity for the Garden to complete the first phases of the Children’s Discovery Garden. It also allows us to build operational capacity so that we can fill the Garden with events and programming that better serve multigenerational families, youth, and
our school children. The Children’s Discovery Garden will be an important resource for our community. Leach adds “More than a garden, this is where Santa Fe’s upcoming generation will develop curiosity, confidence, and a lasting connection to the living landscape, laying the foundation for lifelong environmental stewardship. Where better than at the botanical garden in the capital of the fourth most biodiverse state in the nation!”

For more information about the Children’s Discovery Garden: VisitSFBG.org/childrens-discovery-garden