I have often said that the Idaho Botanical Garden is a jewel in the crown of Boise, Idaho. Its east foothills' setting adjacent to the old Idaho State Penitentiary is reason enough to visit, but its displays of Idaho's botanical riches will keep you coming back through the cycle of seasons -- its Winter Garden Aglow is absolutely breathtaking. As its website so succinctly describes it, the Idaho Botanical Garden is "a lush, 15-acre tapestry of dappled shade and vibrant splashes of color." It's a place that, once you arrive, makes it very difficult to leave. The term "sanctuary" comes to mind.
For lovers of the history of the Corps of Discovery, one particular section of the Idaho Botanical Garden offers a unique insight into the scientific aspect of its mission: the Lewis & Clark Native Plant Garden. The objective of this garden is to display a selection of plants that were collected during the expedition, with a specific focus on the 145 species collected between Great Falls, Montana and The Dalles, Oregon. A series of interpretive signs inform visitors about the significance of the expedition and how Native Americans contributed to its success. Ethnobotanical uses of the plants are also highlighted, as are the contributions of two members of the Corps of Discovery in particular: Captain Meriwether Lewis and Sacajawea.
In this "Core of Discovery" podcast, I interview botanist Ann DeBolt, who was instrumental in the Lewis & Clark Native Plant Garden's creation, which was inspired by Idaho's celebration of the Lewis & Clark bicentennial. We'll learn about Ann's background and how she came to be involved in the Idaho Botanical Garden project, how the Lewis & Clark Native Plant Garden was designed, and what it has to teach us about the Corps of Discovery's contributions to botanical science.
