Welcome to the UNLV Arboretum Xeric Garden.  The garden is located at the entrance to the Barrick Museum of Natural History and the Harry Reid Center for Environmental Studies.  Completed in February of 1988, this collection of plants is the result of the cooperative efforts of the Arboretum, the Museum and numerous commercial contributors and organizations.

The Xeric Garden is a prime example of how drought-tolerant plants and a water efficient irrigation system may be allied to conserve water, yet create an attractive landscape.  The term xeric comes from the Greek xeros, which means dry.  The word xeriscape is often used to describe a garden of such plants.

Designed by Jack W. Zunino, president of J.W. Zunino and Associates, the one and one-half acre garden features numerous plants introduced from Australia, South America, Mexico and the Mediterranean.  A large variety of plants indigenous to the four desert regions of North America are also displayed.

The garden is designed as an extension of the Museum, creating an outdoor exhibit of plants in a setting that enhances visitor use.  The garden is frequently utilized for education, research and social events.  Currently there are over 9,000 square feet of paved pathways, numerous benches, several covered ramadas and wooden bridges.  The native Aztec sandstone boulders were supplied from the quarry at the base of Mt. Potosi located in the Spring Mountain range.

If the garden were depicted as the crown of the Arboretum, the primary jewel would be the Klinkhammer Bird Viewing Ramada located on the north side of the garden.    Completed in September of 1994, this restful place was a gift from the family in memory of Frank and Alice Klinkhammer.  J.W. Zunino also designed the wall and pool, creating a place of refuge and a supply of water for resident and migratory birds.

The garden will forever serve as a tool for monitoring and evaluating the suitability of old reliable plants, as well as new introductions.  Please enjoy, preserve and protect your garden.