BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — Bowling Green will now participate in a new tourism project known as the Kentucky Garden Trail.

The passport program encourages Kentuckians to explore 12 different gardens across the state. One of those gardens is the Baker Arboretum in Warren County.

Dennis Williams has been a horticulturist at the Baker Arboretum for years, and says it’s one of Warren County’s best-kept secrets.

Williams said, “There are 15 acres of land with incredible pathways with lots of art, fountains, conifers, gingkoes, all kinds of great plants that you don’t normally see. It’s kind of like a hidden gem.”

The nonprofit may soon turn from a hidden gem to a popular place for tourism, after the launch of the new passport program.

Williams said, “I think it’s amazing because it’s going to bring people to us that haven’t been here before.”

Marissa Butler, the hospitality services director for the Bowling Green Convention and Visitors Bureau, is excited about the new opportunity.

Butler said, “There are 12 gardens and arboretums available across nine communities, and so they can go to any of the gardens and pick up their passport. From there, they can travel to the individual locations. Once they are at the garden, they can go see the personnel there and ask to get one of the stamps.”

After a visitor completes their sixth stop, they’ll get a garden seed mix. If they complete all 12, they can turn in their form to receive a t-shirt or canvas tote bag.

Williams said this will not only make a statement for the Baker Arboretum, but will also help people enjoy nature.

Williams said, “Be serene, reflect [and] learn. It’s a tool that you can utilize for calming and all kinds of things.”