Causes: Botanical Gardens & Arboreta, Environment

Mission: To inspire people to connect with the plant world and understand the importance of plants in our lives.

Programs: The garden engages visitors in the natural world through a variety of popular community events, exhibits and educational programming. Approximately 150,000 visit the garden annually.

Education programming emphasizes hands-on nature experiences. Participants in our children's vegetable garden program grow fruits, vegetables, and flowers through a 15-week program. Parents and children enjoy hands-on nature play side by side in the 2.5-acre Family Adventure Garden. Students on field trips experience the Garden’s terrarium ecosystem program, and available funds help offset transportation costs for title 1 schools. Culinary staff partners with the CHEF (Culinary Health and Education for Families) program to teach families how to prepare healthy, affordable meals with freshly grown food. Summer camps engage students in botany, chemistry, biology, cooking and conservation.

Community events such as Viva Botanica and BOOtanica include nature activities and performing arts. Garden exhibits such as Nature Connects, Art with LEGO© sculptures, Storybook Houses, and sculptures featuring local and world renowned artists complement the Garden and inspire visitors.

Climate-appropriate plants sold at the garden are propagated and marketed by a dedicated team of volunteers led by a part-time paid coordinator who is an expert in the field of drought-tolerant plants and low-water landscapes.