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Wild Chile Botanical Area 25th Anniversary
October 29 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Wednesday, October 29th | 6 – 8 pm | Pavilion
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Wild Chile Botanical Area, home to over 25 different crop wild relatives, including some of the northernmost populations of chiltepin (Capsicum annuum var. glabriusculum) in the world. These wild cousins of domesticated crops carry valuable genetic traits, such as drought tolerance and disease resistance, that are essential for resilient foodways. This reserve is more than a protected landscape, it’s a story of people coming together. Scientists, land stewards, and local partners.
The wild chile connects us across cultures and across borders. It is food, medicine, and cultural heritage. Join special guests from the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, New York Botanical Garden, Borderlands Restoration, and the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum for a one night only salon-style discussion exploring the past, present, and future of the Wild Chile Botanical Area. Together we can better understand, protect, and celebrate this remarkable plant. This exciting program will open with a short visual storytelling piece and close with a live audience Q & A.
This program is a collaboration between Tohono Chul and the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. Special thanks to the Lovejoy Center at the University of Arizona for making this important event possible.
$10 Members | $15 General Public
Beverages and non-alcoholic drinks will be available for purchase.
The Lovejoy Center advances the science and practice of biodiversity conservation through research, education, and cross-sector collaborations. Ahead of the Wild Chile Botanical Area 25th Anniversary public program at Tohono Chul, panelist Joshua Tewksbury (Ira Rubinoff Director of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute) will be giving a special talk at the Lovejoy Center on Tuesday, October 28 at 10 am. Click here for more information.