Our Vision
The unique scope of the Sonoran Desert Florilegium Program is to encourage and focus a multiplicity of efforts toward the promotion of traditional and contemporary botanical illustration. It is the premier effort of its kind designed to create, collect, exhibit and store botanical images
for research, education, documentation and aesthetic appreciation.
Recognizing the significant value of many disciplines working together, ours is a community-wide approach. It encourages artists, educators and scientists in their efforts to display botanical images so that the general public may have the opportunity to appreciate the aesthetic values and scientific need for this florilegium program as an aid
to conserve and protect our Sonoran Desert Flora.
The Florilegium Program envisions the creation of a collection of botanical art of the Sonoran Desert region. The word florilegium originates from the Latin word florilegus which means "gathering flowers".
To accomplish our goals we will:
- Work with institutions, organizations and individuals in the community to create this collection and sponsor exhibits
- Educate organizations, scientists and the general public about botanical images and their proper preservation
- Work with art educators and institutions to train artists in traditional and contemporary techniques of botanical illustration
- Engage in fundraising activities to provide grants and to publish as our abilities grow
- Provide funds, venues and volunteers necessary to achieve our mission
We look to the future and hope that through the combined efforts of dedicated individuals and institutions, the Sonoran Desert Florilegium Program will prove to be a significant catalyst to the conservation and protection of our flora in all its complexity for generations to come.