For the past several years, the Garden has been purchasing parcels of conservation land that adjoin the VBG, thanks to the generous donations of some of our members and benefactors. These land purchases are not intended for an expansion of the Garden, but are a buffer zone that will forever remain in its pristine state for wildlife and not open to the public.

We have installed camera traps to photograph the wildlife living in these areas, and are overjoyed with the surprising results, photos of native animals can be seen on other pages of this magazine. We have also hosted scientific surveys of these areas, to document the plants and other creatures living in these areas. A floristic study in 2010 discovered over 50 species of native orchids within a 4 km radius of the garden, attesting the this area’s  rich biodiversity which must be preserved.  

In 2020 the garden purchase 87 forested hectares near the botanical garden where an Ocelot Sancturary has been established.  These lands host an amazing array of local wildlife including jaguars, otters and macaws.  

These land purchases will provide a safe haven for animals and plants, safe from the incursion of civilization, and allow these creatures to live their lives in a manner nature intended for them. Any donation that you can make to the Garden’s conservation land purchase fund will be greatly appreciated and will benefit creatures like the ones seen in this magazine and their offspring