Boyce Thompson Southwestern Arboretum

The Boyce Thompson Southwestern Arboretum (BTSA) is Arizona's oldest and largest botanical institution. BTSA was founded in 1924 by william Boyce Thompson, a mining magnate who understood the importance of plants as the ultimate source of our survival and well-being. That legacy continues today as BTSA offers tours, classes and events, bringing a wide community together in appreciation of the astounding diversity of its growing collection. Located an hour east of Arizona's state capital, BTSA holds collections of desert plants from the United States, Mexico, Australia, madagascar, india, china, japan, israel, South America, the Middle East, Africa, the mediterranean, and the arabian peninsulaall told 4,025 taxa and 20,000 plants within 135 acres of gardens. Situated on 372 acres of scenic upland sonoran desert with nearly five miles of trails, BTSA is Arizona's oldest and largest botanical garden and one of Arizona's top tourism sites.