 The botanical garden, proposed in 1959, was endorsed by the Council of Higher Education of Puerto Rico on 12 September 1969.On the initiative of Mr. Arturo Roque and supported by the President of the University, Dr. Jaime Benítez, the Botanical Garden was inaugurated on March 10, 1971.Administratively, it functions as a part of the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez campus.