Botanical Garden Campaign

A true botanical garden is used to hold collections of living plants for the purpose of scientific research, conservation, display, and education.  Vibrant gardens create transformative experiences that connect people, inspire learning, and deepen appreciation for nature. Ideally, this botanical garden will do just that along with providing a peaceful setting for the community to enjoy access to green space for a positive impact on mental and physical health. A botanical garden can provide opportunities for exercise, stress reduction, and a connection with nature. Amenities might include:

• Education: exhibits, university/higher learning programs, master gardener and garden clubs, school field trips, youth programs & camps, scientific taxonomy, arboretum, plant trials, special animal presentations (e.g. butterflies, raptors, bees), etc.
• Special events: corporate events, celebrations, concerts, fundraisers, garden tours, winter lights display, art, music, etc.
• Features: amphitheater, fountains, ponds, butterfly house, art, railway, aquatics, library, greenhouse conservatory, pavilion, etc.

Around the country you will find examples of gardens that vary greatly in size. There are many small urban “pocket gardens” of an acre or two (e.g.- Duncan Garden in Spokane’s Manito Park) all the way up to the likes of Buchart Gardens in British Columbia at 55 acres or the Fort Worth Botanical Gardens at 109 acres or even the Bernheim Forest and Arboretum in Claremont, Kentucky at 16,137 acres! There really is no “perfect” size for a botanical garden. Any gardener will tell you that the more area available, the more opportunity it presents. For this project, the Club ideally seeks a property of at least five acres, but is open to considering smaller plots, especially if the possibility exists for expansion in the future, Add an answer to this item.

 All property has value and the Club understands that seeking a donation of prime land would be a big ask. However, because the end objective here is to cultivate plants for people to see and enjoy, the garden need not be on property that would otherwise be suited for residential or commercial development. Great gardeners can grow things almost anywhere and the Club is full of great gardeners! Indeed, the ideal property might just be someplace that others would consider useless like reclamation land or other “compromised” ground that has little marketable potential – a capped landfill, a played-out quarry or gravel/borrow pit or perhaps a former mill property.  

Ultimately, we envision the botanical garden to be a place where visitors will come from near and far to enjoy. Therefor a location with easy access, that’s not too difficult to find and proximate to other services (like nearby shops, restaurants, other attractions, etc.) that the Garden’s visitors can patronize are high priorities. Availability of water and power will also be of considerable importance (for obvious reasons). And while not essential to the mission, any property that offers varied terrain and natural features (like rock formations, streams, ponds, some existing mature trees, or lake/territorial views) would truly be ideal. 

The Club is designated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit tax-exempt entity by the Internal Revenue Service. It is eligible to accept tax deductible donations and has established a designated endowment fund for the botanical garden. As such, depending on the donor’s individual situation, the donation of land for the botanical garden may provide that donor significant tax benefits. (*Consult your accountant or tax advisor for details.) Other benefits of this philanthropic opportunity might include naming privileges or dedication rights as well as the opportunity to actively participate in the design and planning process of the garden and to enjoy the legacy it will provide for generations to come. 

There are several legal mechanisms that can be used to ensure that any property donated is dedicated in perpetuity to be used as a botanical garden. One option would be a deed restriction. The property could also be made subject to a conservation easement, a reversionary interest or similar covenant guaranteeing the donor’s intentions regarding the future use of the property is honored.  

The Club has established a dedicated endowment for the botanical garden and has begun to fund that endowment with proceeds from its annual Garden Tour and other donations. While a donation of land for the botanical garden would provide a great head start, if no donation occurs the Club will continue to seek funds (donations, grants, bequests, etc.) to its endowment in hopes of eventually having sufficient financial resources to purchase property. Another option the Club would consider is a long-term land lease (ideally at a philanthropically-reduced rent rate) or a lease with an option to eventually acquire title to the land. (Note – Such an arrangement might also have tax or financial planning advantages to the lessor/landlord.)  

Perhaps you know someone with land and a desire to participate in a true legacy project? If so, let us know so we can reach out to them. Or put them in touch with the Club. You can also help by considering a donation to our Club’s endowment. Every little bit helps! Do you have experience researching and writing grant applications? A donation of your time and skills in that area would be welcomed.

• Donate or lease land
• Donate to the Endowment Fund (one-time gift or recurring monthly donation)
• Planned Giving (planned gift as part of your estate planning)
• Memorials (pay tribute to a loved one or commemorate a special occasion with an engraved bench, pathway brick or tree)
• Volunteer (events, administrative, education & gardening opportunities)

The first, and most critical, step is to find a location. Once the Club has acquired a suitable property the design process will begin in earnest and will largely depend on the size and characteristics of the site. The garden itself will almost certainly be developed in a phased fashion, but based on our research, we believe it is possible to have a well-established, visitable garden in two to three years’ time.The best part? – It’s a garden so it will never be “finished” and will always be growing, changing and improving! 

Yes, there are more than 1,000 botanical gardens across the U.S. Here is a list of just a few we have compiled for you:

• Idaho Botanical Garden (Boise, ID) Opened in 1984, 32 acres on leased land
• Sawtooth Botanical Garden (Ketchum, ID) Established in 1994, 5 acres on leased land
• Dubuque Arboretum & Botanical Gardens (Dubuque, IA) Established in 1975, 51 acres of donated land 
• Northern Plains Botanic Garden (Fargo, ND) Established in 1998, incorporated into existing city park
• Quad City Botanical Center (Rock Island, IL) Opened in 1998, Highlights: Tropical atrium, gardens, greenhouse, train exhibit, rare conifer collection
• Tulsa Botanic Garden (Tulsa, OK)  1999 set the dream in motion; 2004 received donated land. 170 acres (60 cultivated)
• Denver Botanical Gardens (CO) – virtual tour opened in 1978, 24 acres
• Naples Botanical Garden (FL) – virtual tour  opened in 2009, 270,000+ visitors each year