Accept: Credit Cards, Cash, Checks
PRIVATE ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS—parrots back! PRIVATE ENCOUNTERS now for longer time periods, either parrots or reptiles! Small groups can enjoy fun interactions with either THREE parrots or THREE reptiles with guests holding each animal, giving them snacks, taking photos in private setting. A great party, birthday, anniversary, or friend treat! Funds go to Animal Enrichment and Emergency Funds.
H-E-B and H-E-B Tournament of Champions “Explore More” program provides free
admission to the Botanical Gardens & Nature Center FRIDAYS this November and
December, beginning November 7! This support aims to promote educational
experiences and cultural arts by providing local families and visitors ways to enjoy
attractions during the holidays. H-E-B remains committed to making educational
enrichment and discovery more accessible—when it comes to Texans helping Texans,
learning should be within everyone’s reach. “Explore More” also includes three other local and five Gulf Coast region museums.
“HAY MAZE” opened October 18-dressed for HALLOWEEN, for children to navigate, co-sponsored and decorated by Ocean Drive Garden Club, included in admission (SEE MORE for pictures!). It changes to Christmas décor right after Thanksgiving, and will be lighted during Holly Days evenings!
Four weekends of lights, trees, hay rides, s’mores & cocoa & SANTA beginning the day after Thanksgiving features a huge fresh-cut lighted fir tree, and “Emerald Forest”– an 18 foot lighted tree of green plastic bottles plus four smaller ones created by environmental artist Shelia Rogers! Great for friends, family, date-night, holiday house-guests. Fridays & Saturdays, 5:30-7:30 pm, Nov 28/29, Dec 5/6, 12/13, 19/20. SEE MORE for details and fun photos.
MOONLIGHT & MARIPOSAS in the GARDENS entertained more than 500 people, with comments like: “This is my all-time favorite event;” “What a perfect, enjoyable evening;” “So glad we came again after missing a couple of years;” “Congratulations, you did it again;” “We’ll definitely be back next year!” The Botanical Gardens thanks Presenting Sponsor CITGO, plus dozens of supporting sponsors you’ll see on large signs in the Gardens until MOOONLIGHT ‘26! Click SEE MORE for those generous sponsors, entertainers, our Event Chair Kitty Hommer, restaurant and beverage sponsors, plus volunteers. . . with new Moonlight slideshow in the works!
For your convenience, we’re providing a schedule of SATURDAY MORNING Horticulture & Environmental Education classes! All begin at 9:30 am, Education Station classroom, with spaced seating for 40. Unless noted, all are covered by that day’s general admission, membership, or $5 each. Educational, fun, meet new friends. Make your reservation at 361-852-2100.
This is a first! The Botanical Gardens is looking for VOLUNTEERS to work with Grounds Staff helping with daily hand-watering, mowing, weeding, edging! Coastal rains made the grass grow, and watering restrictions still make us hand-water! We’ll work with your schedule, except (watering must be done before 10 am), other work between 9 and 6. Please call Kathie for details, 361-852-2100, x 225.
Guests visiting Saturdays or Sundays are treated to REP-TALES,10:30 am, on the Festival Lawn. Meet and learn about some our Reptile Animal Ambassadors including tortoises, iguanas, snakes and other creatures (specific animal ambassadors and species vary daily). Included with membership or general admission. Feed these reptiles for additional fee.
…bloom-filled conservatories, majestic rose pavilion,
butterfly house, architecturally-unique garden design, tropical plumeria grove—plus mesquite-lined nature trail, rustic Palapa Grande and wetland boardwalk. You’ll love the beauty-versus-beast contrasts at this 182-acre botanical and nature domain, like our parrots and reptiles.
…through field trips, nature camps, birdwatching, animal interactions, horticulture classes and workshops, winter lectures, “Blooming in the Gardens,” plant and landscape displays, family visits! Environmental education through nature tourism explains benefits of learning to better share our ecosystem with plant and wildlife.
…our urban oasis of native habitat and natural wetlands on Oso Creek. Our conservation programs involving plants, wildlife and water, include: Endangered Slender Rush Pea, Black-Laced Cactus colonies, Pockets of Wildlife Habitat along Oso Creek, Native Grasses: Highly Structured, Managed & Natural.
…both scenic floral, or more casual outdoor venues—
as well as comfortable indoor spaces are available for MEMBERS to rent throughout the year. Rental occasions have included weddings, bridal and baby showers, birthdays, grad parties, corporate or club meetings, team-building functions, local events, lectures or classes, memorial services, during or after regular hours!
A botanical garden cannot thrive or grow, without members!
Personal and corporate memberships
supply substantial annual operating funds.
In return, members get valuable benefits
which outweigh yearly dues contribution—
like RECIPROCAL FREE ADMISSION to 340 other gardens,
14 of them in Texas!
for Categories and amazing benefits!
There are many ways to donate and support your Botanical Gardens—
from Unrestricted Gifts, Current Needs, sponsoring an event,
funding an exhibit, a water feature—or even a building!
Most donations are given in the present; while some are planned
as a legacy gift, or “Planned Giving.”
No matter the size or timing, every contribution improves visitor experience, brings more visitors, more donors, and GROWS your Gardens!
easy ways to give; or donor suggestions to discuss
with your tax consultant, financial advisor or estate attorney.
