Shaw Nature Reserve

This article does not cite any sources. Please help by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources:  –  ·  ·  · scholar · JSTOR (October 2021) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)

Magnolia groves and daffodil fields grace the reserve in the spring.

The Shaw Nature Reserve lies south of I-44 at Gray Summit, Missouri.

Shaw Nature Reserve, formerly known as Shaw Arboretum, is a 2,400 acres (9.7 km²) private nature reserve located in Gray Summit, Missouri, that is operated as an extension of the Missouri Botanical Garden.

The first piece of land, 1,300 acres (5.3 km²), was purchased in 1925 when pollution from coal smoke in St. Louis threatened the Garden's live plant collection, especially the orchid collection. The orchids were moved to what was then known as the Gray Summit Extension in 1926. The pollution in St. Louis decreased with the waning use of coal for heat, making it unnecessary to move the rest of the live plant collection. The Garden made five more land purchases between 1926-1977 amounting to the Nature Reserve's current size of 2,444 acres (9.89 km²).

Shaw Nature Reserve has several historic homes (including the Joseph H. Bascom House), a large tallgrass prairie, and a wetland blind from which herons can be observed. The Nature Reserve is also home to the Whitmire Wildflower Garden, a 3 acres (0.012 km²) Missouri native garden with over 500 native plant species. Over 17 miles (27 km) of hiking trails run through the Nature Reserve.

Shaw Nature Reserve is open year-round, 7-days a week, but is closed on some major holidays.

External links[]

• Shaw Nature Reserve Homepage

Coordinates: 38°28′55″N 90°49′27″W / 38.482032°N 90.824103°W / 38.482032; -90.824103

This Franklin County, Missouri state location article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by .

• v
• t

This article related to a garden in the United States is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by .

• v
• t