On the Roof of the Rocky Mountains: The Botanical Legacy of Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, Vails Alpine Treasure

(Hardback)

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Description

Alpine conservation, rare and endangered species, and biodiversity are the focus of world-renowned Betty Ford Alpine Gardens in Vail, Colorado.

2021 Foreword Indies, GOLD: Nature

On the Roof of the Rocky Mountains presents an informative narrative and photographic journey through of one of the most beautiful and distinguished high altitude (8,200 feet) botanical gardens in the world. Throughout the pages garden and flower pictures taken by noted professional photographers showcase several hundred of the more than 3,000 plant species in its vast collection. The Gardens are a respected leader in research and propagation, conservation, and education.

Reviews

"This book is a beautiful memory of a unique high alpine garden in Vail, Colorado. It is also an important conduit into the vitally important work of botanic gardens whose work increasingly extends far beyond the garden walls to support, care for, and restore wild places both locally, regionally, and globally." -- Sara Oldfield, past Secretary General of Botanic Gardens Conservation International
"The Betty Ford Alpine Gardens are a staggeringly beautiful treasure. On the Roof of the Rocky Mountains aims to do a lot [by] educating the reader on what the alpine regions are, the risks they face, and how botanic gardens can be key in efforts to understand and preserve delicate alpine ecosystems. -- Joseph Tychonievich * Rock Garden Quarterly *
Shaws descriptive writing is accompanied by captivating photography of landscapes that few visit and even fewer inhabit. it's sure to be a hit with garden lovers. * Western Art & Architecture *
While at times ominous, On the Roof of the Rocky Mountains is mostly a celebration, filled with images showcasing the vast beauty of what is billed the worlds highest botanical garden. -- Seth Boster * The Gazette *
Compelling text, accompanied by masterful plant portraits take readers on an inside tour of the Gardens, one of the most diverse living alpine plant collections in North America. Shaws new book is a tribute to the world of alpine plants and the vital work the Gardens is doing to promote research and conservation of global alpine environments in one of Americas premier resort destinations. * Botanic Gardens Conservation International *
This book is a beautiful memory of a unique high alpine garden in Vail, Colorado. It is also an important conduit into the vitally important work of botanic gardens whose work increasingly expands far beyond the garden walls to support, care for, and restore wild places locally, regionally, and globally. -- Sara Oldfield * Botanic Gardens Conservation International *
Our robust gardening community will be enthralled with the photos and text that talk about gardens we can relate to up here in the Mountain West. -- Cathy Click, Community Engagement Director * Basalt Regional Library *
It is a gorgeous book, and I am happy to add a copy to our collection. I know our library members will enjoy and use it for years to come! -- Barb Walter, Reference Librarian * Longmont Public Library *
BEAUTIFUL. Our local library received a treasure this week and I am lucky enough to be one of the first to borrow the book. -- Lisa Scalise, Patron * Crestone Baca Library *

Author Bio

Western Coloradobased writer and landscape architect Sarah Chase Shaw has authored two garden books: Garden Legacy: The Residential Gardens of Design Workshop and New Gardens of the American West. Her most recent book, Living Beneath the Colorado Peaks: The Story of Knapp Ranch, received the 2018 National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museums Wrangler award for Outstanding Art/Photography Book.