Hi, I’m Juliana. Help Us Grow the Adaptive Arboretum Garden!
March 26, 2025Update as of April 25, 2025:
We’re so grateful for the support we’ve received so far—thanks to you, we’ve raised $27,589 of our $30,000 match! We still need to raise $2,411 to reach the full $30,000 match, and every dollar you give will be doubled. Altogether, we’ve raised $55,178 toward our $63,000 goal.
Your gift will help us build the Adaptive Arboretum Garden—a new garden filled with climate-resilient trees that help keep our park (and you) cool. We’ll host guided tours and hands-on workshops so Tucsonans can learn how to choose, plant, and care for native trees.
Thank you for helping us make this garden a reality!
March 26, 2025
Dear Tohono Chul Family,
I’m Juliana Ahumada, Living Collections Coordinator at Tohono Chul, and I’m thrilled to be reaching out to you for the first time! I have some exciting news to share, but first, I’d love to introduce myself and tell you why I’m writing this letter.
I’ve been passionate about nature ever since I studied Wildlife Conservation at the University of Arizona. I even had the chance to explore the Amazon rainforest, which really opened my eyes to how plants and animals rely on each other. After college, I worked as a wildlife technician and discovered that protecting wildlife starts with protecting the habitats they depend on—particularly native plants. That’s what led me to Tohono Chul.
I joined Tohono Chul in 2022, working in the Desert Corner Nursery, where my background helped me teach visitors about the vital role of native plants. In 2024, the American Public Gardens Association awarded me a scholarship to attend their annual conference in Boston, where I learned new methods for plant conservation and collection management.
When I returned to work, I put those insights into action—mapping and cataloging our entire plant collection and leading the development of our Living Collection Charter. These key steps helped Tohono Chul achieve something incredible: official accreditation as an arboretum! That’s right—Tohono Chul is now recognized as an official arboretum!
Help Support the New Adaptive Arboretum Garden
Now, I’m excited to introduce you to our newest project: THE ADAPTIVE ARBORETUM GARDEN. This new garden will feature climate-resilient trees that will help keep our park (and you) cool. We’ll host guided tours and hands-on workshops so Tucsonans can learn how to choose, plant, and care for native trees.
Our goal is to raise $63,000 to bring this garden to life. We have two generous donors who will match every gift up to $30,000, doubling your impact!
I’m reaching out because we’re raising funds for this new garden addition, and we need your help to make it a reality! This project is especially meaningful as Tohono Chul celebrates its 40th anniversary on April 19, 2025. Your gift will be a lasting contribution to the garden’s future, ensuring its beauty and impact for the next 40 years and beyond.
I’m so thankful for all Tohono Chul has given me, from real-world conservation experience to the chance to share my passion for nature with our visitors. I hope you’ll join me in supporting this new garden. Thank you for taking the time to read my story and learning why I’ve reached out to you. We’re so grateful to have you as a part of our community.
Together, we can make a greener, healthier future for many generations to come.
Here’s to a greener future,
Juliana Ahumada
Living Collections Coordinator
To make a gift, click here to donate directly to the Adaptive Arboretum Garden fund. Your support will help bring this project to life!
If you have questions or need assistance, contact our Development & Membership Manager, Frank Vidal, at fvidal@tohonochul.org or call (520) 742-6455 x261.