BOYCE THOMPSON SOUTHWESTERN ARBORETUM

BOYCE THOMPSON SOUTHWESTERN ARBORETUM IS ARIZONA'SOLDEST, LARGEST AND MOST SPECTACULARLY SITUATED BOTANICALINSTITUTION. IT WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1924, BY THE FOUNDER OF MAGMA MINING COMPANY, WILLIAM BOYCE THOMPSON, FOR THE PURPOSE OF "INSTILLING IN PEOPLE AN APPRECIATION OF PLANTS". THE ARBORETUM IS NOW VISITED BY OVER 75,000 PEOPLE ANNUALLY. FOSTERING EDUCATIONAL, RECREATIONAL AND CONSERVATION OPPORTUNITIES ASSOCIATED WITH ARID LAND PLANTS, THE BOYCE THOMPSON ARBORETUM WORKS DAILY TOWARDS FULFILLING THE MISSION SET FORTH BY ITS FOUNDER OVER 90YEARS AGO. LOCATED AN HOUR EAST OF ARIZONA'S STATE CAPITAL, BOYCE THOMPSON ARBORETUM COVERS 392 ACRES. ITS FIFTY ACRES OF CULTIVATED GARDENS ENCOMPASS GREAT BIODIVERSITY - WITH 150 PLANT FAMILIES REPRESENTED BY OVER 600 GENERA AND 3,300 PLANT SPECIES.THE ARBORETUM'S ACTIVITIES ARE COOPERATIVELY MANAGED BY BOYCE THOMPSON SOUTHWESTERN ARBORETUM, INC., ARIZONA STATE PARKS, AND THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA.