Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - In addition to exploring the 64 acres of native tropical plants and flowering trees, there's always something new to discover at Vallarta Botanical Garden! Founder Robert Price brings us up to date on some of the Garden's projects and tells us about some upcoming events you won't want to miss.

Guacamaya Update

The Vallarta Botanical Garden has now sponsored four nest boxes for wild Military Macaws, the largest and most colorful parrots of our region. The latest boxes that we sponsored were just installed in the Emiliano Zapata Ejido, just a few kilometers from the Garden. By doing our little part, we can help improve the chances that these magnificent birds will remain wild in our region and grace our skies with their beauty for many years to come.

Additional nest box sponsorship opportunities, along with guided tours of these birds in their habitat are available through El Rancho el Santuario, a local natural bird sanctuary. If you're interested, please contact our friend Jorge from El Rancho el Santuario at (322) 223-6234 or novoapv(at)hotmail.com.

Peacewalk

The Garden thanks Cheryl L. Wheeler for her generosity in funding the new Peacewalk through the Cheryl L. Wheeler International Peace Garden of Mexico. Construction is underway now and scheduled for completion soon.

Construction Continues on the Cactus and Succulent Plant Project

Mexico leads the world in cactus and agave diversity and is home to a wealth of other succulents. The state of Jalisco is home to a vast number of these incredible plants. Upon successful completion of the Cactus and Succulent Plant Project, we will cultivate these plants to their full potential to create inspirational displays for our visitors to enjoy. In late 2016 the Vallarta Botanical Garden received a grant of $15,000 USD from the Stanely Smith Horticultural Trust (SSHT) to begin this project. Since then, the scope and grandeur of the project have grown with our vision for what we can do in this area. We invite you to join us as one of the first visionary contributors toward the Cactus and Succulent Plant Project. Your tax-deductible gift will create a legacy of cactus and succulent plant cultivation and display at the Vallarta Botanical Garden. Together we will also create a powerful new attraction for our visitors.

Vallarta Botanical Garden Volunteer Training

Calling all volunteers at the VBG! We are delighted to inform you there will be a volunteer training day and breakfast at the Vallarta Botanical Garden on Saturday, December 2, 2017 starting at 9 am and lasting until 2 pm. In addition to inviting new volunteers, all past volunteers are also welcome and encouraged to attend. Starting with a complimentary orientation breakfast (pre-registration requested), we'll share knowledge of the Garden and present opportunities for service toward our mission and vision. For more information, please contact VBG Volunteer Coordinator Keith Richert by email at: educadorambiental(at)vbgardens.org. Also, new volunteers are asked to please read over our information for volunteers on our website.

Come celebrate a Thanksgiving Feast in the Country at Vallarta Botanical Garden!

On Thursday, November 23, 2017, a Traditional Thanksgiving Feast will be served from 11 am until 6 pm. Reservations are highly recommended, and can be made by emailing admon(at)vbgardens.org, or calling (322) 223 6182.

Thanksgiving at the Garden Menu

First Course
• Hot rolls and butter
• Puréed sweet potato soup
-or-
• Seasonal Garden Salad

The Feast
• Stuffed Roast Turkey with homemade gravy, mashed potatoes, artisanal stuffing, ginger glazed carrots, stewed fresh cranberries and green bean casserole

Dessert
• Choice of pumpkin pie or pecan pie with vanilla ice cream
• Coffee (cafe de olla)

Beverages
Choose from: 1 Cocktail, 1 glass of wine, 1 soft drink or 1 agua fresca

All for just $500 MXN per person (approx. $28 USD) Tip not included.

Please Note: Entrance to the Garden is free for members, general admission costs $150 pesos per person, for non-members. Corkage fee of $350 MXN per bottle for those who bring their own wine.

2018 Vallarta Bird Festival, March 9–11
Article and photo by Nancy Holland

Mark your calendars for the 2018 Vallarta Bird Festival, March 9, 10, and 11, hosted by the beautiful Vallarta Botanical Garden. The Vallarta Botanical Garden is situated on 64-acres at 1,300 ft above sea level in bird-rich Cabo Corrientes, just a short drive from Vallarta.

With excellent birding opportunities, guided birding tours in the Garden will be offered each morning along with guided tours every afternoon of the Garden's incredible array of native Mexican flora and exotic delights. Within the Garden alone over 200 different species of birds have been observed and documented by enthusiastic local residents and international visitors.

Bird photography workshops and educational seminars will be offered, along with exhibits, music, native dancers, and fun, all included with a daily general admission of 150 pesos or with a 3 day Happy Wren Pass (price to be determined). For an additional cost, professional birding tours will venture from the coastal habitats to the upper elevation forest habitats in search of endemic specialties among the over 400 bird species found in this diverse region of Jalisco.

There is no registration required for Garden activities but we would love to hear from you if you plan on coming. The professional birding tours do require advance registration.

The festival does not provide transportation. but there are buses and taxis available in Puerto Vallarta that can take you directly to and from the Garden. The Hacienda de Oro Restaurant, on site, is open from 9 am to 5 pm serving breakfast and more, including oak-wood-fired brick-oven pizza and authentic Mexican cuisine. Bring water, sunscreen, insect repellant, binoculars, and if you want to take a swim in the river, then bring a bathing suit and towel.

For more information, contact us by email at nancycholland(at)gmail.com or info(at)vbgardens.org.

For more November news from Vallarta Botanical Garden, Click HERE to download this month's issue of The Leaflet. (pdf)