ZooNews

Next time you are planning a "Walk on the Wild Side" consider a "Walk on the Blooming Side" to complete your visit!  Read on to see what the Botanical Society at ZooMontana has been up to!

If you see flowers blooming and the absence of weeds growing then you know the volunteers belonging to The Botanical Society at Zoo Montana have been hard at work! Our members love the changes at Zoo Montana and we are determined to have the gardens bursting with beauty this summer. In November we managed to plant hundreds of new spring bulbs visualizing the coming of spring and the hopes of a spectacular showing of our early Montana favorites. Here it is May and they are making an appearance! Crocuses, daffodils, tulips, irises, primroses, hyacinths, and of course the reappearance of our Montana perennials make a walk in the gardens very exciting as we welcome spring to Zoo Montana!

The Botanical Society at Zoo Montana has some exciting goals for the gardens! last summer we continued reclaiming work in the Sensory Garden and began the work needed to reclaim the Children's Garden, located in the area around the large ceramic animals across from the main entrance to the grounds. During the winter we have spent many hours planning the season ahead and we are already cleaning and raking in preparation for may planting! Three new areas will be exciting to watch. First, Dottie's Garden, a memorial garden in honor of dottie Barnett, has been cleared of weeds and work has already begun to make this garden an excellent example of successful Montana xeriscaping. The garden along the walkway near the eagles has been cleared and we are currently planning what will successfully grow in that area. We will also have a vegetable garden growing near the barn planted by Zoo Preschool! Watch these area grow throughout the season.

Would you like to become part of the Botanical Society at Zoo Montana and help the gardens thrive? Teresa Miller Bessette at 969-3477 and Joann Glasser at 652- 8734 would love to talk to talk to you! The volunteers work in the gardens together on Monday mornings but once a volunteer becomes familiar with the gardens, working is welcome at anytime that is available to the individual. We plan to have an evening time for volunteers to work together this summer. We meet the first Thursday of every month and discuss our progress, make new plans, and enjoy sharing our passion for making the Botanical Gardens at Zoo Montana the best in the state!

Watch this site for pictures, news, and updates!