Photo from the Idaho Botanical Garden Groundbreaking Ceremony - 09/08/2025

Boise, Idaho — Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 20, 2025, when the Idaho Botanical Garden invites families to embark on an unforgettable, bug-themed adventure—Bug Day, returning “bigger and buggier than ever!" This one‑of‑a‑kind celebration transforms the Garden into a buzzing wonderland, offering more than 20 hands‑on stations brimming with science, art, and garden fun. It’s truly an experience you can’t find anywhere else in the Treasure Valley. Family Fun, Tiny Encounters, and Giant Fun Get Up Close & Personal with InsectsPeer through microscopes, meet live creatures, and encounter marvels like observation bee hives, carnivorous plants, and Bitsy the giant praying mantis (she’s huge!). Explore Through Play & CreativityFamilies can unleash their imaginations at creative stations like build‑a‑bug challenges, macroscopic art projects, insect‑inspired printmaking, dragonfly building games, and face painting. Learn from ExpertsDive into discovery with “Ask an Entomologist,” Insect Camouflage & Mimicry demos, citizen‑science activities, and macroinvertebrate investigations that…

Boise, ID – May 16, 2025 – The Idaho Botanical Garden’s signature summer concert series, Great Garden Escape, returns for 2025 with a renewed focus on accessibility, atmosphere, and authentic connection. The series runs Thursday evenings in June and late August through September, intentionally pausing during the hottest weeks of summer to offer guests a more comfortable and enjoyable experience—one that sidesteps the high heat and seasonal smoke that can settle into the Treasure Valley. Held from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM, each evening offers live performances set against the beauty of the Garden’s blooming grounds. Whether you come with friends, a picnic, or simply the need to unplug, Great Garden Escape promises a weekly tradition of presence, relaxation, and shared joy. “This series is more than a concert—it’s an invitation to breathe deeply, connect with your community, and enjoy the simple joy of an evening in the Garden,” said Erin Anderson, Executive Director…

Boise, ID – June 2, 2025 On the evening of Thursday, September 11, 2025, the Idaho Botanical Garden will unveil an unique vision for what a fundraising event can be. With the return of its annual Farm to Table(aux) soiree, the Garden invites guests into "Beastly Botanicals"—an immersive, theatrical experience where the natural and surreal entwine.  Unlike traditional benefit dinners, Farm to Table(aux) has built a reputation as a bold fusion of art, performance, and philanthropy. This year’s theme, "Beastly Botanicals," promises an enchanted exploration into the darker, wilder side of nature. Attendees will be surrounded by towering flora, carnivorous plants, jewel-toned beetles, and mysterious creatures, all brought to life through a meticulously curated production that spans visual installations, live performances, and culinary storytelling.  “This isn’t just another gala—it’s a portal into a world of living art, storytelling, and shared purpose,” said Erin Anderson, Executive Director of the Idaho Botanical…

Boise, ID – April 1, 2025  – Shade City Brewfest is back and groovier than ever. Set to take place on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at the Idaho Botanical Garden, the fourth annual event brings together craft beer lovers, sustainability advocates, and the greater Boise community for a one-of-a-kind celebration that’s as environmentally responsible as it is fun. Presented by Lost Grove Brewing, Treasure Valley Canopy Network, and the Idaho Botanical Garden, Shade City Brewfest is Boise’s premier sustainable beer festival. With a focus on environmental impact and waste reduction, the event sets a new standard for what it means to gather responsibly. In 2024, the festival welcomed thousands of guests and produced just one bag of trash—a nearly zero-waste achievement made possible by intentional planning. All food packaging was either compostable or reusable, and the event offered water refill stations, compost drop-offs, and clearly marked waste sorting areas. “We’re…