The following is a letter to members from BIll LeMaire, newly elected president of the Durango Botanic Gardens.

Since 2010, our lovely public gardens at the library and along the Animas River Trail, have been identified as the Durango Botanical Society.  In August of this year, the board of directors took the decision to change our name to the Durango Botanic Gardens—with the accompanying new logo, seen here on this letterhead.  After considerable discussion about our future, and as we embark on a new decade, it was decided that our communications and branding will be better served by focusing on our actual product—gardens.  The gardens are the same, the people are the same, the mission to build gardens that inspire, demonstrate, and educate, remains the same--only the official name of our endeavor has changed.  

We have come so far since 2010.  Our founding members looked upon a weed-infested wasteland behind the library and did something remarkable with that space.  And, we have continued to add to that vision, with additional gardens and themes.  However, the next decade for our gardens will be equally exciting.  We intend to develop additional space at the library, add outdoor art, and make our gardens the envy of Colorado and an even more remarkable destination.

So thank you members, thank you partners and supporters.  We could not have built the Durango Botanic Gardens without all of you and we cannot build this future without you.    

In further news, the DBG board recently elected new officers.  Bill LeMaire is our new president, replacing John Anderson, who accomplished so much in the past three years.  Drew Currie was elected vice president which fills a position that had remained vacant.  Theresa Anderson was elected secretary, replacing Drew Currie in that position.  Connie Markert remains our treasurer.  Annette LeMaire was elected to the board.

We will begin work this fall on the new Elevated Grass Collection, between the Crevice Garden and the Rosie-the-Riveter Garden, and this work will be completed in the spring. 

We intend that 2021 will be a very active year with a number of events planned, as pandemic restrictions permit.  

Thank you for your membership, exciting times and benefits lie ahead which will add further value to your membership.

Thanks for your support and stay well,

Bill LeMaire

President, Durango Botanic Gardens