resources : Online Resources

Online resources for native plants and more…

Native Plant Information

Flagstaff Native Plant and Seed. Local nursery with descriptions of hundreds of wildflowers, grasses, trees, and shrubs native to the region.
USDA PLANTS Database. With more than 45,000 species found in the U.S.
NAZ Flora. Photographic, annotated catalog of northern Arizona vascular plants arranged by scientific name for use by professional botanists and serious amateurs.
Center for Plant Conservation. National coalition of private and public organizations with the goal of preserving and restoring our native plant populations. A good resource for researchers and professionals.
NatureServe. Database of more than 50,000 species of North American flora and fauna, focusing on ecological communities. Of special interest to researchers and ecology practitioners.

Arizona Native Plant Society. Membership, publications, and other valuable info on native plants.
New Mexico Native Plant Society. Sources for native plants and seeds, lists of low-water-use plants.
Colorado Native Plant Society. List of activities in six chapters including field trips, workshops, etc. Photographs and info on native plants of Colorado.

Colorado State University Cooperative Extension. Practical tips and articles for high-elevation gardeners
Master Gardener Training Course. Training course offered in Flagstaff through the Coconino County Cooperative Extension. To download the complete training manual, click here.
Yavapai County Cooperative Extension. Resources that include the Backyard Gardener weekly newsletter, gopher control, and plant climate-zone map with brief descriptions of growing conditions.
Home Gardening Advice. The Utah State University Extension Service’s advice for homeowners on many topics.
Native Seeds/SEARCH. Nonprofit organization that preserves native crops and culture. Seeds, crafts, books, for sale.

Desert Botanical Garden (Phoenix). “One of the world’s finest collections of desert plants.” Displays the beauty, color and diversity of wildflowers in North American deserts, and how they play a role in the desert’s ecosystem.
Tucson Botanical Gardens. A 5-acre collection of 15 specialty gardens. Over 4,200 individual plants. Tours. Design ideas for residential gardens.
Tohono Chul Park (Tucson). Park that allows visitors to explore the flora and fauna of the natural and cultural heritage of the Sonoran region.
Arizona Sonora Desert Museum. Zoo, natural history museum, and botanical garden outside Tucson. Exhibits re-create the natural landscape of the Sonoran Desert region. Live displays of more than 300 native animal species and 1,200 plant species.
Boyce Thompson Arboretum. A 320-acre collection of desert plants near Superior, AZ. 3,200 desert plants, 230 bird species, and 75 terrestrial species.
American Public Gardens Association. Gardens to visit in your travels, calendar of special events in member gardens, info on specialty plant organizations. Membership and employment info for gardening professionals.

A “Grand Tour.” The environmental history of the Colorado Plateau, including native people, flora and fauna, etc., from a historical perspective. Maps, photographs, and links to further articles.
The Grand Canyon Trust. Advocacy group dedicated to preserving the environmental integrity of Colorado Plateau. Get involved through their Volunteer Program.

Rocky Mountain Research Station, Flagstaff Laboratory. Concentrates on Flagstaff and northern Arizona forest health.
The Nature Conservancy. Organization aimed at “preserving the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive.” Currently has 1,400 nature preserves.
Building Wildlife Habitats. National Wildlife Federation education programs for families and schools. Offers instructions for building backyard habitats.
Highlands Center for Natural History.Serves central Arizona with environmental education classes, publications, tours, and hands-on activities.
Willow Bend Environmental Education Center. Nonprofit environmental education center in Flagstaff. It is dedicated to nurturing a sense of place through hands-on educational programs.

Northern Arizona Audubon Society. A website listing birding activities and information in northern Arizona and beyond.
White Mountains Audubon Society. Contacts and resources for birding in east-central Arizona; also, meetings and field trips.
The Hummingbird Society. Offers membership, photographs, information, and links.
Monterey Bay Spice Company: Herbs and flowers that attract hummingbirds. A special thanks to Taylor and the Jericho, VT 4-H Club for sharing this link with The Arboretum.
Arboretum bird list . Names of 100 species sighted in the gardens

Museum of Northern Arizona. Gateway to the Colorado Plateau.
Lowell Observatory. Info about public tours and scientific research.
Flagstaff area national monuments. Info about Sunset Crater Volcano, Wupatki, and Walnut Canyon — archaeological sites and geologic wonders.
Coconino National Forest. Info about the national forest surrounding Flagstaff.
Flagstaff National Weather Service. Weather forecasts; temperature and precipitation data.