Explore the desert in a new light! The Native Plant Oasis is a recently renovated education garden at Veterans Oasis Park, focused on showcasing native plant growth. In 2024 the Chandler Nature Center received grant funding from the Gila River Indian Community to transform a former community garden into the new oasis. The Native Plant Oasis emphasizes the biodiversity of our desert environment, promoting conservation and the value of native desert plants.
The area includes educational display garden beds, native seed harvesting beds, and a plant nursery section.
Why Native Plants?
Sonoran Desert plants enrich the soil, provide shelter for wildlife, conserve water, and support pollinators. Adapted to extreme heat, native plants can reduce water usage by up to 85% compared to non-native plants.
The Native Plant Oasis highlights some of the desert’s most popular plants. In addition to exploring each plant’s unique characteristics, visitors will learn how they were used by Indigenous people for thousands of years.
You Can Help!
The Native Plant Oasis is a community-driven garden, made possible by passionate volunteers who tend to the plants throughout the year. Volunteers are needed to help with year-round maintenance, and all levels of experience are welcome.
Volunteer sessions occur on the first and third Fridays of the month from October through May. For more information call 480-782-2890.
Explore the Native Plant Oasis
Learn about some of the unique plants that call the Native Plant Oasis home.
