The Garden is OPEN Wednesday-Monday 9AM-5PM | Last Admission is 4PM | Closed Tuesdays | Free Admission for Flower Power Happy Hour 10/9, 4-7pm | Scarecrow Stroll is now open 10/4-11/2.
Boise, Idaho — October 9, 2025— The Idaho Botanical Garden has expanded its growing and educational capabilities with the acquisition of two greenhouses previously operated by the College of Western Idaho. Through a new long-term lease agreement, the Garden will utilize these facilities to expand its in-house growing operations, support educational programs, and enhance community access to nature-based learning.
The greenhouses will:
“This is an incredible step forward in our ability to serve the growing Boise community,” said Erin Anderson, Executive Director of the Idaho Botanical Garden. “These greenhouses will help us cultivate more plants, knowledge, and connections both within our Garden and throughout the region.”
In addition to the greenhouse expansion, the Garden has received a $400,000 grant from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust to support the development of new outdoor programmatic spaces for education and gathering. These areas will increase educational and recreational opportunities for students, families, and the general public, while also helping make healthy food more accessible.
These new investments directly support the Idaho Botanical Garden’s ongoing Community Grows Here expansion project, which will transform 10 acres of undeveloped land into new garden spaces designed for learning, reflection, and connection. The project includes the creation of accessible walking paths, outdoor classrooms, and garden spaces for horticulture therapy, as well as gathering areas for families, students, and visitors to engage with nature year-round. Together, the greenhouse acquisition, the Murdock Trust grant, and the 10-acre expansion reflect the Garden’s commitment to meeting the Treasure Valley’s growing need for educational, wellness, and community spaces.
Located in the heart of Boise, the Idaho Botanical Garden cultivates a love of nature through plant collections, education, art, and community events. The Garden serves as a living museum and a gathering space that inspires connection to the natural world. Learn more at https://www.idahobotanicalgarden.org/.
Created by the will of the late Melvin J. (Jack) Murdock, the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust provides grants, programs, and initiatives to nonprofit organizations across the Pacific Northwest, including Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. The Trust seeks to strengthen the region’s educational, social, spiritual, and cultural base in creative and sustainable ways. Learn more at https://murdocktrust.org.
