Beyond the blooms

World Nature Conservation Day falls on July 28 every year, marking the anniversary of the 1972 United Nations Conference on the Human Environment in Stockholm, where world leaders first came together to prioritize protecting our planet's natural resources. Nearly 50 years later, that mission is just as urgent, and just as personal, right here in Janesville. At Rotary Botanical Gardens, conservation isn't just a once-a-year conversation. It's the work we do every single day. F

Since October 2024, visitors to Rotary Botanical Gardens have been able to enjoy a striking metal sculpture created by local artist Jason Harvey and dedicated by the Bower City Garden Club of Janesville. The piece depicts a fern grotto, complete with some of the small creatures you might find tucked among the ferns, like centipedes and grasshoppers. Now, we're excited to share some updates that make the area even more special. We've added an accessible path leading right up t

Rotary Botanical Gardens is buzzing with some exciting news. In partnership with the Rock County Beekeepers Association, three bee box houses were installed along the fence line near the labyrinth on May 8 and 9, bringing a new level of pollinator activity to the gardens. Bees are among the most important contributors to a healthy garden ecosystem. They pollinate flowering plants, support biodiversity, and play a direct role in the growth and reproduction of many of the bloom

We are thrilled to share the opening of the Potts Living Lab, a new on-site greenhouse facility made possible through the generosity of long-time supporter Ruth Ann Potts. The Potts Living Lab marks an exciting new chapter for our horticultural future, and we celebrated its opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony on May 17, 2026. As a working greenhouse, the Potts Living Lab will strengthen our ability to steward and expand our living collections. The facility will allow our s

Rotary Botanical Gardens History Founders and Volunteers: Dolores Dilley Rotary Botanical Gardens history has always been shaped by people who were willing to jump in before there was much to see. One of those people is Dolores Dilley a behind the scenes force whose steady work helped carry the Gardens from an idea to a thriving community treasure. Delores Dilley Dolores first heard about the idea for a public garden while working at Parker Pen. Her supervisor knew Dr. Robert