Prickly pears and their relatives are an important economic plants which are used for food by humans and many animals and insect species, landscape material for the southwestern environment, medicinal and cosmetic purpose and more.

Brief description:
A several acre facility to highlight opuntias and related genera. This would be a public demonstration garden, a research garden, an educational facility and small nursery facility.

Support:
Land would be leased from local, state or the federal government at a very nominal cost. No additional taxpayer support would be required and funds for development would come from grants, gifts, the TCSS and other supportive organizations. The facility would support the introduction and care of all forms of this group of plants including many hybrids. It would also support hybridization of this group to fill the needs of a diverse group of constituents.

Events to support this might include the following type:
• Blooming open house
• Fruit tasting and selection
• Chefs and food preparation event
• Landscape demonstration event
• Plant sales

Facilities:
• Educational displays demonstration area
• Botanical garden planting
• Nursery growing area
• Introduction area
• Visitor Ramada
• Gift shop, restrooms etc

Source of Material:
• Cactus Rescue
• TCSS and other Society Donations
• Nurseries and Landscapers.
• Purchased specimens

Related activities:
• Web and email site
• Online publishing

Tucson would be great environment to have this dedicated facility.