CONNECTING PEOPLE TO PLANTS
By maintaining a living collection of plant species, the Quad City Botanical Center is helping sustain a living store of genetic diversity that supports conservation. We are able to work with other gardens anywhere around the world as part of a network that shares information and expertise. Botanical gardens play an important role in conservation of both plants and animals through their collections, genetic research and education.
Our mission guides us in educating children and adults on the importance of conserving plants and how to actively participate.
Our Pollinator Habitat Garden represents plants that were part of the natural prairie that covered the state of Illinois. Showcasing prairie plants that are indigenous to our region helps preserve local knowledge and encourages sustainable gardening with plants that will thrive naturally in Zone 5. This 1,000 sq ft garden includes plants that support pollinators and includes educational signage appropriate for all ages. The Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation funded this habitat.
In the gardens, we grow several varieties of milkweed to support monarch butterfly migration. We tag these butterflies as part of a citizen science program and educate the public on how they can get involved at their homes. We collect eggs and caterpillars and raise and release butterflies as part of the Monarch Watch program and use a small glass enclosure in our lobby as a microhabitat where guests can watch the four stages of a butterfly life cycle.
The Quad City Botanical Center is located along the Mississippi River flyway, which is a major route for migrating birds. We have a diverse variety of shrubs and trees that provide seeds and berries for these birds. Our gardens have been a host site for the World Migratory Bird Day event that gives us the opportunity to teach the public about conservation efforts to help birds locally and globally.
In our tropical Sun Garden, we showcase plants from around the world right here in the Midwest. Our conservation efforts in this garden reach well beyond the plant and animal world. During our 20th anniversary year, we improved our energy imprint with major infrastructure repairs including adding new LED lighting, new heating unit and fans for better air circulation, more insulation and a new roof membrane. These projects not only reduce energy consumption, they protect the plants living in the Sun Garden and reinforce our position as environmental stewards.
Our mission guides us in educating children and adults on the importance of conserving plants and how to actively participate.
Our Pollinator Habitat Garden represents plants that were part of the natural prairie that covered the state of Illinois. Showcasing prairie plants that are indigenous to our region helps preserve local knowledge and encourages sustainable gardening with plants that will thrive naturally in Zone 5. This 1,000 sq ft garden includes plants that support pollinators and includes educational signage appropriate for all ages. The Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation funded this habitat.
In the gardens, we grow several varieties of milkweed to support monarch butterfly migration. We tag these butterflies as part of a citizen science program and educate the public on how they can get involved at their homes. We collect eggs and caterpillars and raise and release butterflies as part of the Monarch Watch program and use a small glass enclosure in our lobby as a microhabitat where guests can watch the four stages of a butterfly life cycle.
The Quad City Botanical Center is located along the Mississippi River flyway, which is a major route for migrating birds. We have a diverse variety of shrubs and trees that provide seeds and berries for these birds. Our gardens have been a host site for the World Migratory Bird Day event that gives us the opportunity to teach the public about conservation efforts to help birds locally and globally.
In our tropical Sun Garden, we showcase plants from around the world right here in the Midwest. Our conservation efforts in this garden reach well beyond the plant and animal world. During our 20th anniversary year, we improved our energy imprint with major infrastructure repairs including adding new LED lighting, new heating unit and fans for better air circulation, more insulation and a new roof membrane. These projects not only reduce energy consumption, they protect the plants living in the Sun Garden and reinforce our position as environmental stewards.