Where Utahs Future Grows Location The Utah Botanical
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
Mission Statement The Utah Botanical Center will guide the conservation and wise use of plant, water, and energy resources through researchbased educational experiences, demonstrations, and technologies.
Where Utah’s Future Grows. Major Objectives • 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
Current Conditions
Residential Water Use Faucets 5% Showers & Baths 6% Toilets 9% Leaks 5% Clothes Washers 7% Dishwasher & Other Domestic 1% Outdoors 67%
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.
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