Steamboat Springs, Colorado-January 29, 2026-The Yampa River Botanic Park in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, has been awarded Level I Accreditation by the ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program and The Morton Arboretum, recognizing its commitment to professional standards in arboriculture and tree conservation. This distinction places the Botanic Park among a global network of arboreta dedicated to advancing tree science, education, and stewardship.
“ArbNet accreditation affirms our commitment to tree conservation, education, and best practices in arboriculture,” said Yampa River Botanic Park Executive Director Jennifer MacNeil. “As a public garden in a demanding high-elevation climate, being recognized as a Level I Arboretum helps us share the importance of resilient, native, and climate-adapted trees while connecting our local work to a global network dedicated to the care and understanding of trees.”
Located at an elevation of approximately 6,800 feet, the Yampa River Botanic Park is a six-acre public garden showcasing the resilience of trees in a high-altitude, cold-climate environment.
The arboretum features nearly 200 evergreen coniferous trees representing 16 species and approximately 300 deciduous trees representing 20 species, with native and regionally adapted species forming the backbone of its collection. Prominent evergreens include Colorado blue spruce, Engelmann spruce, lodgepole pine, ponderosa pine, bristlecone pine, Douglas fir, and subalpine fir. Deciduous highlights include quaking aspen, narrowleaf cottonwood, water birch, chokecherry, and crabapple.
Growing conditions at the park are notably challenging, with winter temperatures plunging to minus 40°F, heavy snow loads, low humidity, and intense ultraviolet light. Annual precipitation averages just 27 inches, much of which evaporates before trees can utilize it. Despite these conditions, the park’s collections thrive through thoughtful species selection and expert care.
ArbNet is an interactive, collaborative, international community of arboreta. The ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program, sponsored by The Morton Arboretum in cooperation with American Public Gardens Association and Botanic Gardens Conservation International, is the only global initiative to officially recognize arboreta based on professional standards.
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Contact
Email Jennifer MacNeil, Executive Director, or call 970-846-5172
Email Emily Hines, Marketing & Communications Supervisor, or call 970-871-7031