Vallarta Orchid Conservatory Fundraiser at VBG Bob Price - Vallarta Botanical Gardens
go to original December 4, 2013

Vallarta Botanical Gardens Orchid Conservatory (nmcclearn)

Dear Friends of the Gardens,

Since our September announcement of the new matching-gift program for the Vallarta Conservatory of Mexican Orchids, we have already received nearly $60,000 USD, which the matching funds will double to nearly $120,000. If this swell of support builds to a crescendo by the December 31 deadline, we can meet our goal of raising $350,000 USD and begin construction in January 2014. WE CAN STILL USE YOUR HELP!

The generous donors who have sponsored the matching-gift program wish to join us in thanking all who have contributed to this project so far and to encourage those who have not yet contributed to do so during this unique window of opportunity.

I’d like to reiterate how the citizens of Vallarta will benefit from this new conservatory. Garden visitation is one of the largest and fastest-growing sectors in tourism. Many people are surprised the first time they hear the now-often-quoted statistic that annually, in the United States, more people visit public gardens than Las Vegas — or even Disneyland and Disney World combined.

A famous, award-winning garden in a region is a powerful draw for new and returning visitors. Whereas the VBG has already been the grateful recipient of many awards, certifications, and accolades, we know that the addition of an iconic structure stocked with the best examples of Mexico’s native orchids will place us in a new tier as a garden destination. This will provide new and increased livelihoods to many of the tourism providers in our region, who will benefit from increased travel to Vallarta as a garden tourism destination.

Watch our newly released promotional video for the Vallarta Conservatory of Mexican Orchids (above), featuring three-dimensional animations of the design that will place you right inside of this building. You’ll also enjoy viewing an appeal for the orchid conservatory that our friend Paco Ojeda of VirtualVallarta and Vallarta LifeStyles recorded. These and other downloadable resources including a printable orchid conservatory brochure and to-scale site plans are posted on our conservatory project webpage. We hope exploring these resources entices you to join us in the excitement of this campaign.

All donations are greatly appreciated. We will be recognizing those who donate at higher levels during two exclusive events to be held at the Gardens this December. We will host a Curator’s Sunset Cocktail Social on December 19 and an Orchid Conservatory Gala on December 28 (both events are from 6 to 8:30 pm). Entry to each is limited to Copa de Oro Members, Trustees, and those who contribute 6,500 pesos or more ($500 or more Canadian or US dollars) to this campaign.

To make your contribution online, please go to (preferably) our Conservatory Campaign Page or (second choice) our FundRazr Campaign through Facebook. (Our preference reflects the high fees subtracted by the second venue for its service.) Our printable orchid conservatory brochure also includes instructions on how to donate by check, by direct deposit, or via stock or IRA distributions. The amount shown on our fundraising thermometer includes accounts for this campaign in Canada, the United States, and here in Mexico.

Without the direct government funding that many of the other “TOP 10 Gardens in North America Worth Traveling For” receive we thank our members and donors for allowing us to continue our mission, “to create Mexico’s foremost botanical garden for the discovery, study, propagation, conservation and display of native and exotic plants for the enjoyment of Puerto Vallarta’s residents and our visitors.”

To those of you in Puerto Vallarta, please come up to the mountains and visit us soon; to those of you in other places, we’re well worth the travel!

From the Gardens,

Bob Price, Curator and Founder

  Learn about Vallarta Botanical Gardens

  Check out Timothy Real Estate Group