Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Mexico's National Botanical Garden Day will be celebrated this year on July 2nd. Created in 2006 by the National Association of Botanical Gardens (AMJB), whose main objective is to raise awareness about botanical gardens and their role in the conservation and protection of the environment, the event, which takes place simultaneously in cities across the country, is a day to enjoy the gardens, to enjoy the beauty of plants, and to understand the role they play in our lives.

For the 10th annual National Botanical Gardens Day, the AMJB council has chosen the theme "Ex situ conservation and its integration with in situ conservation, two fundamental pillars for continuing the continuation of Mexico's biological diversity."

Ex situ conservation is the cultivation and care of species outside of their native habitat and the mainstay of nearly every botanical garden's role in protecting plant diversity for the future, and this year's theme draws attention to the fact that this work needs to always link back to in situ conservation — maintaining healthy and diverse populations of species in the wild.

The Vallarta Botanical Garden is celebrating National Botanical Gardens Day by offering a morning of complementary activities on Thursday, July 2, 2015 beginning at 8:00 am:

Guided Birding and Epiphyte Discovery Hike
8:00 to 10:00 am
There's a hidden world up above our heads that few beyond the birds ever get to observe. In our tropical forests the upper reaches of the canopy can be filled with fascinating epiphytes (air plants) including orchids, bromeliads, ferns, and even cacti! Learn about these plants through your binoculars in the early morning light and experience our avian fauna during their most active time of the day. Binoculars are available for rent if you don't have your own.

Orchid Care Workshop
10:00 to 11:00 am
Whether getting into orchid care for the first time or just hoping to deepen the shade of green on your thumb, join us in repotting orchids and learn some tricks of the trade from our horticultural staff and garden volunteers.

Tour of the Vallarta Conservatory of Orchids and Native Plants
11:00-11:45 am
Here's a great opportunity to learn more about the incredible collections of the Garden's most popular attraction. This facility was awarded the "Initiative of the Year" last fall at the conference Jardins San Limits (Gardens Without Limits) in Metz, France by an international panel of garden experts. But don't just take it from the experts — experience it yourself!

The Gardens showcase a large collection of native Mexican flora and fauna, so if you've even wondered what this flowering vine is called, or the name of that big tree with orange blossoms, the Puerto Vallarta Gardens may reveal the answer. There are plenty of places to explore, like a restaurant, a gift shop, a swimming hole in the river, a number of trails through the jungle areas, and shade houses where young plants get their start. Join us for an unrivaled botanical experience!