San Antonio Botanical Gardens

By: Kelly Holton

Animal Botanical

I spent my community service working the Animal Botanical event. I worked with special needs kids to be their buddy for the day.

Organizational structure
A public/private partnership between the City of San Antonio (Parks and Recreation Department) and the 501(c)(3) non-profit organization San Antonio Botanical Garden Society, Inc.

The Botanical Society takes charge of Marketing/public relations, communications, programming initiatives, and educational funding for classes and camps.

Goals/mission
Goal: To inspire people to connect with the plant world and understand the importance of plants in our lives.

The tagline for the Botanical Garden is cultivate yourself.

Services provided
The many parts of Botanical Garden.

Community events and exhibits sponsored by the Botanical Society.

Amenities operated by the Botanical Society.

Funding Structure
Funded by both the City of San Antonio and the nonprofit organization. The City primarily funds operating/maintenance expenses and garden/horticultural staffing. The Botanical Society funds programming and development.

Impact: on children, families, and the

community
Educational classes are offered to both children and adults. Children represent one-third of the visitors to the Garden. By introducing them to the world of plants, they give children the opportunity to learn to love nature and to become its stewards in the future. Water saver demonstration gardens.

Teaches to embrace art, music, and theater.

The Botanical Garden enhances quality of life for all who reside in or visit San Antonio.