South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center
Virtual Tour of Exhibits
Physical Expansion of the Botanical Gardens & Nature Center
Maecenas
The Corpus Christi Botanical Society, Inc., formed in 1983, was a grass-roots effort by a small group of horticulturally inclined citizens. Opening in 1987, the Corpus Christi Botanical Gardens, included a “preliminary “ one-acre “cottage” garden, small farmhouse Information Center and a nature trail--through 1995.
In early 1996, the Botanical Gardens officially opened its 180-acre permanent site at 8545 S. Staples, rich with preserved natural wetlands and pristine natural habitat along Oso Creek. Significant by-laws changes occurred in 1999. The Botanical Society changed its name to the Botanical & Nature Institute of South Texas, Inc. The membership also voted to increase the number of potential board positions from 15 to 50 to enhance the board’s community profile and increase its fundraising capabilities. A high-profile advisory board also was added.
Upon opening the permanent site in 1996, the Children’s Garden, picnic/play area, Bird & Butterfly Trail, Palapa Grande on Gator Lake, dirt parking area and compact but intimate Visitors Center was all that greeted visitors. But Fall of 1996 brought dedication of the four-winged lathe-constructed Exhibit House, as well as one of CCBG’s cornerstones, the Don Larkin Memorial Orchid Greenhouse. The Orchid House--built with wet wall, heaters, fans, rainwater collection system assisted by a reverse osmosis system—now houses nearly 2500 orchids, curated and maintained by the South Texas Orchid Society.
In 1997, the construction of Sensory Garden infrastructure began. An additional $45,000 phased “artscape” project, begun in 1999, is now nearly complete. Also in 1997, the Plumeria Collection was installed surrounding the Exhibit House. Now in excess of 100 plants, the collection is curated and maintained by the Plumeria Society of South Texas.
The large, unique Rose Garden was designed in 1998, built in 1999 and planted January, 2000. The massive Rose Garden Fountain was added in 2001. The 30 x 40-foot Rose Garden Pavilion was completed Summer, 2002. The Rose Garden’s 300 roses are curated and maintained by the Corpus Christi Rose Society.
In 1999, the Hibiscus Garden opened, followed by a Water Garden. Construction projects in 2000 included widening and resurfacing of the Bird & Butterfly Trail; adding 500 feet to the Wetlands Awareness Boardwalk; and creating an earthen levee in the large wetlands to help maintain water levels. The wetland exhibit was nationally recognized for outstanding partnerships in conservation and education by USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service during National Wetlands Month in May, 2005.
The Arid Garden was built in 2001; and construction began on the Tree Demonstration Garden. Also that year, the interior parking area was converted to a grassed festival site. Paved parking for 33 vehicles was built along the entrance road.
In 2002, a Hummingbird Garden was funded and built; construction began on phased, decorative wood security fencing; and a grant for the final 17 parking stalls was received.
A new master plan developed by Richter Architects was adopted in November, 2004. In 2006, the Plumeria Collection got a permanent home with the construction and dedication of the Plumeria Garden and Willoughby Viewing Platform. In October, 2006, the first phase of the Earthkind Demonstration and Trial Garden was opened.
A butterfly garden was planted in March 2007. In 2008, a compact Military Rose Garden, funded by the Corpus Christi Rose Society, was built just inside the main entrance. Also in 2008, a generous Board member purchased a two-plus acre commercial building site adjacent to the STBGNC which provides more expansion area, and the opportunity to relocate the entrance to a safer, more visible location.
A screened live Butterfly House, and the Anderson Bromeliad Conservatory, home for 800 bromeliads, will both open in 2009. Both facilities are part of a $3 million capital campaign which will fund a new visitors center, education facility, entrance, dancing waters, children’s play area and more.
In early 1996, the Botanical Gardens officially opened its 180-acre permanent site at 8545 S. Staples, rich with preserved natural wetlands and pristine natural habitat along Oso Creek. Significant by-laws changes occurred in 1999. The Botanical Society changed its name to the Botanical & Nature Institute of South Texas, Inc. The membership also voted to increase the number of potential board positions from 15 to 50 to enhance the board’s community profile and increase its fundraising capabilities. A high-profile advisory board also was added.
Upon opening the permanent site in 1996, the Children’s Garden, picnic/play area, Bird & Butterfly Trail, Palapa Grande on Gator Lake, dirt parking area and compact but intimate Visitors Center was all that greeted visitors. But Fall of 1996 brought dedication of the four-winged lathe-constructed Exhibit House, as well as one of CCBG’s cornerstones, the Don Larkin Memorial Orchid Greenhouse. The Orchid House--built with wet wall, heaters, fans, rainwater collection system assisted by a reverse osmosis system—now houses nearly 2500 orchids, curated and maintained by the South Texas Orchid Society.
In 1997, the construction of Sensory Garden infrastructure began. An additional $45,000 phased “artscape” project, begun in 1999, is now nearly complete. Also in 1997, the Plumeria Collection was installed surrounding the Exhibit House. Now in excess of 100 plants, the collection is curated and maintained by the Plumeria Society of South Texas.
The large, unique Rose Garden was designed in 1998, built in 1999 and planted January, 2000. The massive Rose Garden Fountain was added in 2001. The 30 x 40-foot Rose Garden Pavilion was completed Summer, 2002. The Rose Garden’s 300 roses are curated and maintained by the Corpus Christi Rose Society.
In 1999, the Hibiscus Garden opened, followed by a Water Garden. Construction projects in 2000 included widening and resurfacing of the Bird & Butterfly Trail; adding 500 feet to the Wetlands Awareness Boardwalk; and creating an earthen levee in the large wetlands to help maintain water levels. The wetland exhibit was nationally recognized for outstanding partnerships in conservation and education by USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service during National Wetlands Month in May, 2005.
The Arid Garden was built in 2001; and construction began on the Tree Demonstration Garden. Also that year, the interior parking area was converted to a grassed festival site. Paved parking for 33 vehicles was built along the entrance road.
In 2002, a Hummingbird Garden was funded and built; construction began on phased, decorative wood security fencing; and a grant for the final 17 parking stalls was received.
A new master plan developed by Richter Architects was adopted in November, 2004. In 2006, the Plumeria Collection got a permanent home with the construction and dedication of the Plumeria Garden and Willoughby Viewing Platform. In October, 2006, the first phase of the Earthkind Demonstration and Trial Garden was opened.
A butterfly garden was planted in March 2007. In 2008, a compact Military Rose Garden, funded by the Corpus Christi Rose Society, was built just inside the main entrance. Also in 2008, a generous Board member purchased a two-plus acre commercial building site adjacent to the STBGNC which provides more expansion area, and the opportunity to relocate the entrance to a safer, more visible location.
A screened live Butterfly House, and the Anderson Bromeliad Conservatory, home for 800 bromeliads, will both open in 2009. Both facilities are part of a $3 million capital campaign which will fund a new visitors center, education facility, entrance, dancing waters, children’s play area and more.
Organizational Growth of the Botanical Gardens & Nature Center
Gardens weren’t the only things growing during the initial development of the 180-acre site. Personal memberships rose from approximately 350 in 1996 to over roughly 900 in 2009. An innovative corporate membership program was introduced in 2000, with seven major corporations in the Coastal Bend leading the way. Education programming and workshops, taught by local experts volunteering their time, originally numbered two classes per month; but currently have more than doubled in both number and attendance.
STBG/NC also has developed excellent working relationships with the local Convention & Visitors Bureau, Chamber of Commerce and local media making tourism dollars a significant part of its revenue, while at the same time giving back to the community in horticultural education, economic growth and quality of life. Additionally, the Botanical Gardens & Nature Center often works with the Texas State Aquarium, USS Lexington Museum, Corpus Christi Museum of Science & History and the Art Museum of South Texas in reciprocal membership and joint marketing efforts.
In 2003, the Botanical Gardens became the Corpus Christi Botanical Gardens & Nature Center, recognizing its vast native habitat and natural wetlands. The regional influence and mission of the Gardens & Nature Center was recognized in Fall 2006 by changing the name to South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center.
The Botanical Gardens & Nature Center is considered one of the City’s five major visitor attractions; is positioned as a major environmental education and nature tourism destination; and helps makes the Coastal Bend and South Texas a more attractive region for business development, tourism/economic growth and quality of life.
This heightened level of visibility, public awareness and credibility has led to grants and donations allowing rapid exhibit growth, steady increases in visitor counts, increases in seminar/workshop attendance, plus a stronger, larger board of Directors. Since 1996, the Botanical Gardens & Nature Center has received nearly $2.3 million in foundation, corporate and private grants and donations of $1000 and up.
The South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center is operated by the Botanical and Nature Institute of South Texas, Inc., a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization. By mission, the Institute is dedicated to advancing the knowledge and appreciation of plants and the environment, in relation to personal and community education, well-being and scientific understanding. The Botanical Gardens & Nature Center is the facility which conserves, preserves, displays and interprets native and adapted flora and fauna of South Texas. Revenue sources are personal and corporate memberships; admissions, grants and donations; Garden Shoppe sales; fundraisers; and education program fees. Although the STBG/NC leases its site from the City, and beginning in 2007-8, will receive approximately 6% of its operating budget local hotel-motel tax.
Our facility strives to offer an ever-growing source of beauty, information, environmental learning and entertainment, while benefiting local quality of life and economic development through tourism.
The Botanical Gardens has four paid staff, one of which is part-time. It relies heavily on its board of Directors, volunteers, Nueces County Master Gardeners, and Community Service program.
STBG/NC also has developed excellent working relationships with the local Convention & Visitors Bureau, Chamber of Commerce and local media making tourism dollars a significant part of its revenue, while at the same time giving back to the community in horticultural education, economic growth and quality of life. Additionally, the Botanical Gardens & Nature Center often works with the Texas State Aquarium, USS Lexington Museum, Corpus Christi Museum of Science & History and the Art Museum of South Texas in reciprocal membership and joint marketing efforts.
In 2003, the Botanical Gardens became the Corpus Christi Botanical Gardens & Nature Center, recognizing its vast native habitat and natural wetlands. The regional influence and mission of the Gardens & Nature Center was recognized in Fall 2006 by changing the name to South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center.
The Botanical Gardens & Nature Center is considered one of the City’s five major visitor attractions; is positioned as a major environmental education and nature tourism destination; and helps makes the Coastal Bend and South Texas a more attractive region for business development, tourism/economic growth and quality of life.
This heightened level of visibility, public awareness and credibility has led to grants and donations allowing rapid exhibit growth, steady increases in visitor counts, increases in seminar/workshop attendance, plus a stronger, larger board of Directors. Since 1996, the Botanical Gardens & Nature Center has received nearly $2.3 million in foundation, corporate and private grants and donations of $1000 and up.
The South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center is operated by the Botanical and Nature Institute of South Texas, Inc., a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization. By mission, the Institute is dedicated to advancing the knowledge and appreciation of plants and the environment, in relation to personal and community education, well-being and scientific understanding. The Botanical Gardens & Nature Center is the facility which conserves, preserves, displays and interprets native and adapted flora and fauna of South Texas. Revenue sources are personal and corporate memberships; admissions, grants and donations; Garden Shoppe sales; fundraisers; and education program fees. Although the STBG/NC leases its site from the City, and beginning in 2007-8, will receive approximately 6% of its operating budget local hotel-motel tax.
Our facility strives to offer an ever-growing source of beauty, information, environmental learning and entertainment, while benefiting local quality of life and economic development through tourism.
The Botanical Gardens has four paid staff, one of which is part-time. It relies heavily on its board of Directors, volunteers, Nueces County Master Gardeners, and Community Service program.