About

About

Named one of the World’s Great Botanical Gardens by Travel + Leisure Magazine

Embrace the authentic beauty of the Sonoran Desert year-round at Tohono Chul, Tucson’s charming crossroads of nature, art, and culture. Deemed “One of the World’s Ten Best Botanical Gardens” by Travel + Leisure Magazine, Tohono Chul has been celebrated by Tucson as one of its “best-kept secrets” for over a quarter of a century.

Set on 49 acres of lush desert, the vibrant offerings at Tohono Chul awaken your senses. Locals and visitors alike delight in the experience of having nature at their fingertips. Stroll along winding paths past soaring Saguaros, through themed botanical gardens, and marvel at a chance encounter with a resident hummingbird. Enjoy a quiet retreat in the artfully designed relaxation spots sprinkled throughout the lush grounds. Various art and garden exhibits reveal the unique qualities of the Sonoran region and renew a deep appreciation for the treasures of the desert.

Be inspired by the collection of artwork in the Exhibit Galleries and Gift Shops. From artisanal to avant-garde, the creations by local artists are influenced by the wonders of the region.

Renowned for its spectacular view of the Santa Catalina mountains and regionally inspired fare, indulge in the fresh Southwestern flavors of the Garden Bistro — treasured among locals as a favorite dining spot.

The Tohono Chul experience goes beyond one of relaxation to deliver an engaging learning experience. Discover the secrets of the desert and gain knowledge of the natural and cultural heritage of the region through a variety of lectures, guided tours, workshops, concerts, and special events year-round.

Tohono Chul is a private non-profit 501©3 whose mission is to enrich people’s lives by connecting them with the wonders of nature, art, and culture in the Sonoran Desert region and inspiring wise stewardship of the natural world.


Our Vision

Core Values

  • Love of the Sonoran Desert region: its natural history and it cultural heritage.
  • Love of Tohono Chul and respect for what it means to visitors, supporters, and staff.
  • Responsible use of all-natural, human, fiscal, and temporal resources.
  • Respect for all people, their beliefs, and their cultures.
  • Excellence and integrity in all undertakings of Tohono Chul.
  • Dedication to lifelong learning, with a special focus on living with the Sonoran Desert and the interactions of people with their environment.
  • Accessibility and outreach to the community in experiencing the resources of Tohono Chul.

Mission Statement

The mission of Tohono Chul is to enrich people’s lives by connecting them with the wonders of nature, art, and culture in the Sonoran Desert region and inspiring wise stewardship of the natural world.

Vision Statement

Tohono Chul’s vision is to be recognized internationally as the premier center for understanding and appreciation of the Sonoran Desert region through its fusion of nature, art, and culture. Tohono Chul seeks to be an indispensable resource for helping people learn about, celebrate, and conserve our region’s natural and cultural heritage, and to be a model institution for other unique regions around the world. Every element of Tohono Chul will reflect excellence and beauty, creating a pleasurable, inspiring, and enlightening experience for all.

Diversity and Land Acknowledgement

As an organization, Tohono Chul strives to uphold the values of diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion.

Our 49-acre grounds sustain thousands of native and desert-adapted plants and are home to a wide range of Sonoran Desert animals whose lives are inextricably linked to that flora.  Complementing this natural diversity, our staff and volunteers are people whose differing races, ethnicities, gender identities, ages, religious beliefs, physical abilities, and world views contribute to a shared vision to preserve this “desert corner”. Tohono Chul also respectfully acknowledges that it is on the traditional lands of Indigenous peoples of greater Tucson, the Tohono O’odham, and Yoeme.  

Everyone is welcome at Tohono Chul and we are committed to every aspect of a positive guest experience. We will continue to model our values through exceptional programming that promotes the nature, arts, and culture of our region.