Conservation At Betty Ford Alpine Gardens

Plant conservation is a very important part of the role of the Betty Ford Alpine Garden. We strive to educate our visitors about the loss of plant biodiversity around the world and about the importance of our local mountain environment

The International Agenda for Botanic Gardens in Conservation

This global conservation initiative for botanic gardens was developed by BGCI (Botanic Gardens Conservation International) in July 2000. The Board of Directors and staff incorporates it into our planning and program development.

Adopt A Rare Plant Program

In partnership with the Colorado Natural Heritage Program (CNHP) volunteers from the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens monitor the status of local rare plant populations and look for new unknown populations. The CNHP uses the information to keep a current database of all rare plants in the state. Plants that we monitor in the county include,

• Aquilegia saximontana - Dwarf Rocky Mountain columbine
• Cypripidium fasciculatum - Purple lady's slipper orchid
• Listera borealis - Northern twayblade
• Penstemon harringtonii - Harrington's penstemon
• Platanthera sparsiflora var ensifolia - Canyon Bog orchid

Habitat Preservation

Volunteers at BFAG recognized the damage that a trail through a valuable subalpine wetland was having on the wetland. To save the wetland, volunteers made a board walk to keep traffic out of the wetland and confined to one trail. The wetland recovered quickly and is now back in it's original pristine condition.