A Note from President/CEO, Jamie Maslyn Larson
May 15, 2025Friends of Tohono Chul,
Forty years ago, Dick and Jean Wilson looked out at a quiet patch of desert and saw something more. They saw a place where people could feel connected to the land, to the culture, and to one another. That vision became Tohono Chul. What started as an act of preservation has grown into something deeply meaningful to the hundreds of thousands of people who, for over forty years, have walked the trails, admired art, sat beneath the trees, and returned again and again to find a sense of belonging.
On April 19th, we gathered to celebrate Tohono Chul’s 40th anniversary. It was a moment of reflection and gratitude—an opportunity to honor all who have contributed to this special place across the decades. To mark the occasion, Pima County and the Town of Oro Valley proclaimed April 19th as Tohono Chul Day, recognizing our enduring role in the life of this community.
Tohono Chul has always been more than a garden. It’s a space shaped by love for the plants we nurture, the stories we share, the culture we showcase, and the conversations we hold. Visitors come for many reasons. What unites us is the sense of peace, wonder, and connection that this place makes possible.
I’ve spent my career designing public spaces, but there’s something different about Tohono Chul. It’s not just the beauty of the desert—it’s how people feel when they’re here. I see it all the time. A child chasing a lizard down a path, an older couple sitting quietly in the garden, soaking in the warmth and stillness. These aren’t grand moments, but they stay with you. That’s what makes our garden special.
That spirit of place is what guides us as we grow. In March 2025, Tohono Chul became an accredited arboretum and botanical garden. This national recognition reflects our deepening commitment to stewardship and education, and it also invites us to think boldly about the future.
One way we’re stepping into the future is through the creation of the Adaptive Arboretum Garden—a garden that will showcase native trees chosen not only for their beauty, but for their ability to thrive in the face of change. It will also serve as a living classroom, where guided tours and hands-on workshops help people across our city learn how to plant and care for trees in their own neighborhoods. Thanks to the incredible generosity of supporters like you, we’ve raised $63,000 to bring this new space to life. It’s a thoughtful response to the challenges ahead and a path toward a cooler, greener future for our desert home.
So, as we celebrate this milestone year, I want to thank you for being part of this story. For helping us protect, nurture, and share something special. Because of you, Tohono Chul continues to grow—not just as a garden, but as a community rooted in care and possibility.
Jamie Maslyn Larson
President & CEO
jamie@tohonochul.org