Visitors to the Idaho Botanical Garden in the spring through fall will find new enrichment experiences available, Family Backpacks and Interpretive Station carts. The Family Backpacks will help adults with children aged 12 and younger to explore the Garden grounds and learn together. The backpacks will have suggestions for what to see and do in each Garden area and items such as nature guide books, a magnifying lens, binoculars, and a scavenger hunt activities. The Family Backpacks may be borrowed at the admission kiosk in exchange for a driver’s license.

Interpretive Station with in-depth information regarding specific Garden areas will allow visitors to learn more about the different plant displays. The first stations will address xeric gardening, carnivorous plants and vegetable gardening. New topics will appear over time. These carts will offer demonstrations, hands-on activities and informational hand-outs.

The Garden hopes these new education components will make visitor experiences more rewarding and valuable. These opportunities are made possible by grants from the John William Jackson Fund and Sara Maas Fund in the Idaho Community Foundation, the Simplot Foundation, and donations from individuals.