United States Botanic Garden

• Pages: 45-46

LEGISLATIVE BRANCH 45

Capitol Visitor Center; conservation

of murals and decorative paintings in

the Capitol; improvement of speech-

reinforcement, electrical, and f‌ire-

protection systems in the Capitol and

congressional off‌ice buildings; work on

security improvements within the Capitol

complex; renovation, restoration, and

modif‌ication of the interiors and exteriors

of the Thomas Jefferson and John Adams

Buildings of the Library of Congress and

provision of off-site book storage facilities

for the Library; and facility management

of the Thurgood Marshall Federal

Judiciary Building.

For further information, contact the Off‌ice of the Architect of the Capitol, U.S. Capitol Building, Washington,

DC 20515. Phone, 202–228–1793. Internet, http://www.aoc.gov.

UNITED STATES BOTANIC GARDEN

Off‌ice of Executive Director, 245 First Street, SW.,Washington, DC 20024

Phone, 202–225–6670. Internet, http://www.usbg.gov.

Conservatory, 100 Maryland Avenue, SW.,Washington, DC 20001

Phone, 202–226–8333.

Production Facility, 4700 Shepherd Parkway,SW., Washington, DC 20032

Phone, 202–226–4780.

Director (Architect of the Capitol) STEPHEN T. AYERS, Acting

Executive Director HOLLY H. SHIMIZU

The United States Botanic Garden informs visitors about the importance and value of

plants to the well-being of humankind and earth’s ecosystems.

The United States Botanic Garden

(USBG) is one of the oldest botanic

gardens in North America. The Garden

highlights the diversity of plants

worldwide, as well as their aesthetic,

cultural, economic, therapeutic, and

ecological signif‌icance. The USBG

encourages plant appreciation and

the growth of botanical knowledge

through artistic plant displays, exhibits,

educational programs, and curation of a

large collection of plants. It fosters plant

conservation by serving as a repository

for endangered species. Uniquely situated

at the heart of the U.S. Government, the

Garden seeks to promote the exchange

of ideas and information relevant to its

mission among national and international

visitors and policymakers.

The Garden’s collections include

orchids, epiphytes, bromeliads,

carnivorous plants, ferns, cycads, cacti,

succulents, medicinal plants, rare and

endangered plants, and plants valued

as sources of food, beverages, f‌ibers,

cosmetics, and industrial products.

The U.S. Botanic Garden’s facilities

include the Conservatory, the National

Garden, Bartholdi Park, an administration

building, and an off-site production

facility. The Conservatory, one of the

largest structures of its kind in this

country, reopened on December 11,

2001, after undergoing major renovation

that required more than 4 years to

complete. In addition to upgraded

amenities for visitors, it features 12

exhibit and plant display areas.

The National Garden opened on

October 1, 2006. Located on three

acres adjacent to the west side of the

Conservatory, the National Garden

comprises a First Ladies Water Garden,

a Butterf‌ly Garden, a Rose Garden

celebrating our national f‌lower, a Lawn

Terrace, a Regional Garden of native

Mid-Atlantic plants, and an amphitheater

where visitors may relax and enjoy the

stunning views of the U.S. Capitol.

Outdoor plantings are also showcased

in Bartholdi Park, a home-landscape

demonstration area located across from

the Conservatory. Each of the displays