This week on Cultivating Place we continue our high-elevation garden view, now in Vail, Colorado at The Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, leaders in the research and conservation of North American alpine plant communities.

The Alpine Zone has long been one of interest to plant enthusiasts worldwide across time and space for the sheer admiration for and interest in these rugged and resourceful plants and wildlife who’ve evolved to endure and thrive in the Alpine’s extreme conditions – extreme cold, wind, sun, heat, drought and/or snow and ice. As the conditions of our generous planet change with the climate crisis, the Alpine Zones around the globe become a last refuge for plants and wildlife migrating in search of cooler conditions.

As a result, the Alpine Zone is of great interest to researchers looking not only preserve the beauty, diversity, and integrity of these highly sensitive environments, but also looking to them for lessons on adaptation for us all.

Nicola Ripley is the Executive Director and Nick Courtens is the Curator of Plant Collections at The Betty Ford Alpine Gardens. Nicola and Nick join me this week in a conversation about their high-elevation enthusiasm and efforts.

For more information and many more resources and images, please see the full post at www.cultivatingplace.com under the Podcast tab.

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