Vibrante - The Member Magazine of the San Antonio Botanical Garden - '26 Winter

A Season of Growth

What an extraordinary time to be part of this Garden community! As I walk the grounds each day, I’m filled with gratitude for your support and excitement for the transformation unfolding before us. You are the first to see our vibrant new brand identity. This isn’t simply a new look; it’s a reflection of who we’ve always been and a statement of where we’re headed. Our logo features four iconic Garden elements: the Conservatory, a monarch butterfly, hillside, and a stream of water. Conservation of our precious resources is the heart of our mission. Our tagline, ‘Grow curious,’ captures the spirit that has driven us for more than 45 years. We were once known as a “hidden gem,” but now, we shine brightly.

Step inside our newest exhibition, Otherwild (March 7 through July 7, 2026), and experience the intertwined magic of art and nature. This breathtaking installation transforms our landscape into an immersive wonderland, inviting visitors of all ages to see the Garden through fresh eyes.

While Otherwild captures imaginations, our TREES (Texas Recovery for Ecological and Environmental Stability) initiative addresses a critical need in our community. The devastating July 4th flood stripped the Guadalupe River of much of its vital tree canopy. In response, we’ve launched an ambitious effort with over 20 statewide partners to collect seeds and propagate native trees

that will restore this essential ecosystem. Our goal is to plant 50,000 trees in our beloved Texas Hill Country by 2028. Your membership directly supports this urgent mission.

Perhaps most thrilling is the activation of our bold new master plan. After thoughtful planning, we’re reimagining what your Garden can be. From enhanced visitor experiences to expanded conservation programming, we’re building upon a vision that serves our community in profound new ways. None of this would be possible without you. Your membership, volunteer hours, and encouragement fuel everything we do. You understand that botanical gardens are living classrooms, conservation sanctuaries, and gathering places where curiosity takes root.

As we enter a bright 2026, I invite you to ‘Grow curious’ alongside us. Visit often. Explore Otherwild. Experience our master plan unfold. This is your Garden, and this remarkable season of growth belongs to all of us.

See you in the Garden!

Katherine Tumble President & CEO

Winter/Spring 2026

Our Mission

Enriching lives through plants and nature

On the cover

Two young children ‘Grow curious’ in the Garden.

Editor

Cielo Strategy Group

Designer Ashley Colwell

Contributors

Andrew Labay

Michael Eason

Katie Erickson

Hannah Roberts

Chloe Blumenberg

Allison Russell

Jami Jones

Marnie Sehayek

Brand Photography

JoMando Cruz

Membership Manager

Jami Jones

Director of Marketing

Ashley Colwell

Chief Development Officer

Hannah Roberts

sabgtx.org info@sabgtx.org

What’s Happening

✽ Free with Admission or Membership

$ Additional Fee with Program or Event

Experience the Garden through classes and tours offered on a monthly basis.

Culinary Classes

Elevate your culinary skills and nurture your well-being with hands-on Culinary Classes. Prepare delicious dishes using fresh, seasonal vegetables, herbs, and edible flowers harvested straight from the Garden. From farm-to-table creations to herb-infused sauces, these classes celebrate seasonal flavors and connect you with nature’s bounty.

Wellness Classes

Enjoy the beauty of the Garden and immerse yourself in nature with our suite of wellness classes that are free with garden admission and membership. Classes include yoga, chair yoga, meditation, writing and mindfulness, forest bathing, sound bath, and run club.

Guided Tours

Tours are offered regularly throughout the year. Topics range from native plants to ethnobotany to sustainable gardening.

January

Morning Flow with Krystal ✽

Saturdays | January 17 and 31 | 9 – 10 a.m.

Bring your own mat for a rejuvenating stretch flow yoga class taught by Krystal Richmond. This class is suitable for all experience levels to enjoy. Ages 13+.

Family Workshop:

Watercolor Pollinators $

Saturday, January 17 | 12 – 2 p.m.

Unleash your inner artist in this familyfriendly introductory painting class led by Garden educator and artist, Alicia McAllen.

Participants will learn sketching and painting techniques, using their newfound skills to bring a beautiful pollinator design to life on the canvas. Shared supplies will be provided to the class. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Bonsai Workshop with Matt Turner $ Thursday, January 29 | 1:30 – 4:30 p.m.

Explore the fascinating world of bonsai, the centuries-old Asian art of dwarfing trees and shrubs grown in pots—and learn techniques for designing and maintaining these sculptured treasures. Alongside Longwood bonsai grower Matt Turner, watch how a nursery-grown specimen is prepared as a bonsai and discover tools for your bonsai success. Start a bonsai of your own, focusing on design and maintenance, re-potting, and pruning. You’ll take home your own bonsai!

A

New Home for Bonsai at Longwood Gardens

Lecture by Matt Turner ✽ Thursday, January 29 | 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Be transported to the Bonsai Courtyard at Longwood Gardens with Bonsai Grower Matt Turner. Turner will begin with an overview of Longwood Gardens—its seasonal displays and highlights for visitors—before exploring the history and evolving design of bonsai at the Garden, including unique collections

January – February

8 – 9 a.m. | Member-Only Hour

9 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Daily

March – June

7 – 8 a.m. | Member-Only Hour

8 a.m. – 6 p.m. | Daily

8 a.m. – 8 p.m. | Sundays

dating back to 1959. Learn about the ethics of traditional yamadori bonsai collection and the art behind turning raw material into a display-worthy tree. Drawing from years of study with numerous American and international bonsai artists, Turner offers a behind-the-scenes look at bonsai.

About the Speaker

Longwood Bonsai Grower Matt Turner joined the team in 2023 to help care for the Garden’s growing bonsai collection. He previously worked at The Hidden Gardens, one of the largest retailers of yamadori (prebonsai collected from the wild), and studied with several American and international bonsai artists while they worked on private collections in the Chicagoland area.

Presented in partnership with the San Antonio Bonsai Society and Schultz Landscapes. Additional support providedbytheElenitaandDonBarkerfamily.

Healthy Trees and Certified Arborist Prep Course

$

Fridays | January 30, February 6, 13, and 20 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

This 4-session course, totaling 32 hours, is designed to prepare professional arborists for the ISA Certification exam. This course is also ideal for nonprofessionals who want to stay safe while caring for trees. The course covers tree biology, installation, nutrition, and fertilization. It also covers plant disorders, diseases, and worker safety. Participants receive a certificate with continuing education hours after completing the foursession course. Offered in partnership with the San Antonio Arborist Association and Alamo Forest Partnership.

Family Flashlight Night ✽

Saturday, January 31 | 6 – 8:30 p.m.

Bring your flashlights and experience the Garden’s nocturnal side with the whole family. Explore the Garden by moonlight, navigate the giant light maze, stargaze, enjoy campfire stories, and learn about the garden’s animal nightlife with educators. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Summer Camp Registration Opens in February

This year, we have extended our camp offerings to a longer camp day to allow for a more diverse schedule of activities for your camper. Find your inner nature steward this summer at the Garden, where campers can explore the wonders of the outdoors through hands-on art, science, and cooking activities! Camps are available for ages 5-17.

Summer Camp Weeks:

June 8-12 | June 15-19 | June 22-26

July 6-10 | July 13-17 | July 20-24

July 27-31

Wish: Water Lanterns

$ Friday, February 20

5:30 – 6:30 p.m. | 7– 8 p.m.

Set after Lunar New Year, this celebration welcomes guests of all ages to embrace new beginnings and send heartfelt wishes floating across the Garden’s peaceful ponds. Inspired by traditional Japanese floating and hanging lanterns, the evening will shine with thousands of glowing lights, live music, and gently lit pathways lined with luminarias. Enjoy food and beverages, stroll through the Garden, and be part of a magical moment that celebrates the promise of a bright year to come.

TICKET PRICING

• Adult: $18

• Children (3-13): $15

• Children (0-3): FREE

• On-site Guaranteed Parking: $20

• Member Pricing: $5 discount on all ticket options, excluding parking passes.

Each paid ticket includes one lantern; no outsidelanternsarepermitted.

February

Floral Arranging Workshop $

Wednesday, February 11 | 10 – 11:30 a.m.

Learn the techniques to create bright and refreshing bouquets from start to finish. Vase and vibrant flowers will be provided, along with tips to keep arrangements fresh at home.

Family Workshop: Valentine’s Day

Dried Floral Arrangement Tea Party $

Saturday, February 14 | 11 a.m – 12:30 p.m.

Press flowers and leaves to create natureinspired Valentine cards in this hands-on family art workshop. Participants will receive an educator-led tour of the plants on display to gather inspiration. Decaffeinated Boba milk tea will be provided for participants to enjoy while they create a piece of floral artwork to take home. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Children’s Vegetable Garden $

Saturdays | February 14 – May 30

8:30 – 10:30 a.m.

Kids get their hands dirty and grow their own food in this fun, interactive gardening program for ages 7–16. With the support of educators and volunteers, each family tends to their own 3.5′ x 28′ plot and takes home the harvest. Saturday sessions feature planting activities and nature-based lessons that connect young growers to the power of plants, the joy of gardening, and the food on their plate.

Dementia-Friendly

Gardening Workshop ✽

Wednesdays | February 25 - May 27

11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Designed for people living with dementia and their caregivers, please join us for this dementia-friendly gardening class. Come ready to get your hands dirty and learn from caring educators and volunteers. Please bring a water bottle and dress for the weather.

Gardens of Texas: Growing

Resilience Lecture & Book Signing

with Pam Penick ✽

Saturday, February 28 | 1 – 3 p.m.

With the increasing weather extremes Texas is experiencing — ranging from heat wave to deep freeze and drought to flood — how should gardeners adapt? Drawing from the visionary landscapes in her new book, Gardens of Texas, Pam Penick shows how gardeners and designers across the Lone Star

State are embracing change, shifting their plant palette, nurturing wildlife, and finding deeper joy in the process. Discover practical strategies for creating gardens that weather the storms and grow stronger — and how cultivating resilience in your landscape can also cultivate it in yourself. Lecture followed by book signing. Books will be available for purchase.

March

Little Sprout Hike

✽

Thursdays | March 3 – November 17 10 – 10:30 a.m.

Each hike features a different naturebased lesson designed to inspire a love and appreciation of the natural world. All hikes begin at the garden gift shop. Some trails are unpaved; all-terrain strollers are recommended. Ages early childhood, 5 and under.

Nature Exploration in the Family Adventure Garden ✽

Wednesdays and Saturdays

March 4 – November 21 | 10 – 10:30 a.m.

Each week, enjoy a different nature-play activity designed to inspire a love of nature while engaging in sensory experiences outdoors. Explorations start at the lawn near Prickly Pear Pavilion in the Family Adventure Garden, just past the entrance archway. Recommended for early childhood, ages 5 and under.

Storytime in the Garden ✽

Thursdays | March 5 – November 19 10 – 10:30 a.m.

Each session features different naturethemed books designed to stimulate young minds and foster an appreciation for the great outdoors. Families are welcome to bring a blanket to sit on during storytime. Recommended for ages 5 and under.

Celebrate Otherwild ✽

Saturday, March 7 | 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Come for the opening of Otherwild by artist Patrick Shearn. This is a family-friendly, educational event that offers guests a chance to explore our newest exhibit and enjoy a variety of activity stations.

Spring Break Camp at the Garden $

Monday – Friday | March 9 – 13

9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Spring Break Camp at the Garden combines themes of nature, fine art, culinary arts, and exploration within our beautiful gardens. Mornings will be spent hiking and exploring STEM-inspired activities, with afternoons full of crafts and play. Campers will also learn to cook six garden-relevant recipes throughout the week with things they have harvested from our culinary garden. Ages 8-12.

Plant Sale $

Saturday and Sunday | March 14 and 15

Shop 200+ varieties of native plants, succulents, grasses, and pollinator favorites, perfect for refreshing your landscape this season. Reserve your 30-minute shopping window in advance. Plants are restocked throughout the two-day sale, so there’s always something new to discover. Garden admission is not required to attend the sale.

Family Night Hike $

Friday, March 20 | 7 – 9 p.m.

Join us for a guided night hike where we will explore the sights and sounds of nature after dark. Led by Garden educators, this adventure will introduce you to the nocturnal plants and animals that come alive at night. We’ll listen for bats, search for spiders, and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the garden lit by moonlight. Perfect for families, friends, and solo adventurers—don’t forget your flashlight!

April, May, and June

Viva Botanica ✽

Saturday, April 18 | 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Viva Fiesta! Bring the whole family to play, create, and explore as we celebrate San Antonio tradition and nature. Viva Botanica is an official Fiesta San Antonio annual event at the Garden that offers guests a chance to enjoy performances, activities, and concessions.

Family Workshop:

Fiesta Fairy Garden $

Saturday, April 25 | 12 – 2 p.m.

Design, plant, and decorate a Fiesta-inspired fairy garden to take home for fairy friends. Containers, soil, plants, and colorful decor provided.

Celebrate Bugs!

✽

Saturday, May 23 | 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Celebrate bugs with a family-friendly, educational event that offers guests a chance to explore a botanical theme at a variety of activity stations.

Celebrate Soil and Mud!

✽

Saturday, June 6 | 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Inspired by International Mud Day, explore the Garden while learning what is so special about soil and mud through hands-on activities, including a giant mud slide! Families are invited to get dirty in the Garden while enjoying concessions and live music. Celebrate Soil and Mud is a family-friendly event that offers guests a chance to explore a botanical theme at activity stations with Garden educators.

Brews and Blooms

$

Saturday, June 13 | 3 – 9 p.m.

Sip, savor, and stroll through the Garden in an unforgettable evening where craft beer meets natural beauty. Enjoy tastings from favorite local and regional breweries, each pouring their latest seasonal and signature brews. Wander through the lush spring gardens as live music and local artists set the perfect backdrop for flavor, fun, and friends.

Member Events

Otherwild

Member Exclusive Opening ✽

Friday, March 6 | 4 – 7 p.m.

Experience the vivid wonder of Otherwild. Members will be the first to explore an enchanted world of whimsy and color, featuring ten futuristic trees made from various reflective materials and a larger-than-life Skynet flying high above our beautifully refurbished Conservatory. This exhibition will transport members to a different world while on display at the Garden until July 7, 2026. At this exclusive member opening, we will have special tours of this exhibition, hands-on activities, a sip and shop market, and food available for purchase.

Member Exclusive

Easter Bunny Photos

Saturday, March 14 | 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Hop on over to the Garden for your chance to snap a photo with the Easter Bunny this spring. This memberexclusive photo event will feature hands-on Easter-themed crafts, coffee for purchase, and story time with The Twig’s Miss Anastasia.

$30 per session

Member Exclusive

Spring Family Photos

Saturday, March 28 | 9 –11 a.m.

Capture your family among the blooms of spring with our member-exclusive spring family photos. These five-minute sessions will perfectly document this moment in your family’s life against the beautiful backdrop of the Garden.

$25 per session

Member Exclusive Movie Night showing Into the Woods ✽

Saturday, May 2 | 7 – 10 p.m.

Kick off member appreciation month and celebrate the Garden’s 46th anniversary with a movie night under the stars. Nestled underneath the majestic oak trees on The Greehey Lawn, we will show the 2014 musical Into the Woods. Before the film starts, members will enjoy hands-on activities and food options available for purchase.

Culinary Programs

Private Culinary Experiences

Cook, connect, and savor the flavors of the season with an intimate culinary experience set in the heart of the Culinary Garden. Guided by Garden chefs, your group will prepare a curated menu using fresh, seasonal ingredients. Perfect for team building, celebrations, or special gatherings, these exclusive classes offer a memorable and delicious experience. Email mweaver@sabgtx. org with questions or visit sabgtx.org to submit a request.

The Art of Sushi $

Saturday, January 24

12:30 – 2:30 p.m.

Join Chef Erik in the Carriage House to learn the basics of sushi rolls and how each ingredient works together to create bold and delicate flavors. Recommended for beginner and intermediate skill levels.

Mozzarella Mania $

Thursday, January 29 | 6 – 8 p.m.

Pull mozzarella from fresh curds to pair with other wonderful ingredients. Enjoy a glass of wine and some bites while being equipped to make your own fresh mozzarella. Recommended for all ages and skill levels.

Date Night: From Scratch $

Friday, February 13 | 6 – 8 p.m.

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a date night culinary class that blends fresh air, fun, and pasta! With a glass of wine in hand, stroll through the culinary garden, roll out homemade ravioli, and whip up a Caesar Salad from scratch.

Somm Series – Uncorked at the Garden $

Wednesday, February | 6 – 8 p.m. Fabien Jacob, General Manager, Mon Chou Chou, joins us in the Outdoor Teaching Kitchen. As a native of Lyon, France, Fabien brings a hospitality background spanning fine dining, wine cellars, and the classroom, including his time as a professor at the Culinary Institute of America. A Certified Sommelier, he will take guests on an engaging wine tour through the great red wine regions of France, Burgundy, Bordeaux, and the Rhone Valley— sharing stories and approachable tips to help you taste and enjoy wine with confidence. Enjoy perfect paired bites along this Tour de France!

Meet Chef Mark Weaver

When I took on the role of Director of Culinary Programs at the Garden, I stepped into an already solid and thoughtful operation. Chef Erik Perales had laid a strong foundation before my arrival in August, and my goal has never been to reinvent what works—it’s to elevate it, streamline it, and broaden how culinary programming connects with the rest of the Garden.

My own path here has wound through kitchens, classrooms, and plenty of inbetween spaces. I’ve spent over 20 years in the hospitality world—working in kitchens during college for rent money, graduating with a bachelor’s in hospitality management from Texas Tech University, and then earning my culinary arts degree from Le Cordon Bleu. In 2017, I opened Periphery, my former Seasonal American restaurant in Monte Vista, and before that, I worked as chef de cuisine at Tre Trattoria under Jason Dady. Recently, I shifted toward education as a high school teacher (which both of my parents were)

at Brennan High School in Northside ISD— those years cemented my belief that food education should be approachable, handson, and rooted in real ingredients.

The Garden’s culinary programming offers a lively, low-stress learning environment that encourages people to explore, taste, and ask questions—often using ingredients grown close by in the Culinary Garden.

Everything we do connects to the Garden’s mission of “enriching lives through plants and nature,” and my role is to interpret that through a culinary lens. Collaboration is a key part of that vision. We will be working with local chefs, leveraging San Antonio’s UNESCO City of Gastronomy designation, and creating programs that showcase the city’s rich food culture.

My hope is that, through food, we can help more people experience the Garden in a richer, more connected way.

All six San Antonio

Chef Ambassadors will join us as guest chefs in the Garden, celebrating our city as one of only two United States cities designated as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. These chefs represent diverse aspects of San Antonio’s food scene, from institutions like the Culinary Institute of America and Hotel Emma to local favorites.

San Antonio Botanical Garden

The Palm and Cycad Pavilion of the Lucile Halsell Conservatory, 2025

San Antonio Botanical Garden’s Brand Reimagined Tending to Our Brand

By Ashley Colwell, Director of Marketing, San Antonio Botanical Garden

As the Garden enters 2026, we officially unveil our new brand identity, a striking evolution from our beloved past — featuring new welcome signs, vibrant gift shop merchandise, a refreshed website, and more. This is more than a cosmetic makeover; it is a strategic reimagining of our mission in action. To support this reimagined identity, the Garden chose Butler, a brand partner that could honor legacy while pushing toward an ambitious future.

“At Butler, we’re focused on developing brand communications for organizations that steward, protect, and promote the natural world,” said Adam Butler, CoFounder & CEO. “The Garden does this work in profound ways. The master plan and ambition of the leadership team attracted us to this opportunity. We are proud to be a part of enabling a new season in the Garden’s growth.”

SABG has always been a place where imaginations can run wild, whether you’re an eight-year-old who loves bugs or a plant scientist trying to save Texas plants from extinction.

Our partnership began in the heart of the Garden on a rainy February morning when Andrew Labay, Chief Mission Officer for the San Antonio Botanical Garden, welcomed the Butler team to experience the sights and sounds of nearly 40 acres of natural beauty. Even during the quiet of midwinter, they found a Garden full of life and the promise of a lively spring bloom. This first experience was essential — because before the team could begin shaping the brand, they had to understand the essence of the place, its people, and its purpose.

Sowing the Seeds

The first priority was to dig in and listen to staff, volunteers, board members, and visitors to understand what makes the Garden special — and to ask questions that went beyond surface-level observations.

“The Garden has an incredible history and roots in San Antonio. We needed to honor that and the people with existing connections to it,” said Jessica Smith, Strategist, Butler. “That started with meeting and listening to as many people

as possible, and asking, ‘What matters most to you?’”

Next, a full-day brand blitz — a structured workshop led by Butler — was designed to align key stakeholders on the leadership’s future vision, uncover critical obstacles and opportunities for the brand’s evolution, and build deeper empathy for priority audiences, ultimately yielding a clear, inspired narrative for telling the Garden’s story.

A common refrain from the day? The Garden is a “hidden gem” — people who have not visited simply do not know the fun that awaits them. This became a key opportunity for the new brand: how to evoke a sense of wonder and possibility, inviting visitors of all ages and abilities to see themselves enjoying their time at the Garden.

“The new brand needed to be more than just inviting,” said Marty Butler, CoFounder & Chief Creative Officer. “It had to resonate with donors, volunteers, and members; showcase the Garden’s international recognition; and evoke its stunning biodiversity.”

Andrew Labay, Chief Mission Officer, giving a tour to the Butler team to kick off a yearlong collaboration.

“This rebrand brings the scope of the San Antonio Botanical Garden into the light, expressing who we are today and where we’re headed.

Julie Wilkinson, Immediate Past Board Chair, San Antonio Botanical Garden

Our new brand invites those who have yet to discover the Garden and offers a deeper understanding for those who already know us. It brings greater visibility to our commitment to plant conservation, pollinator habitats, and land and water stewardship, and celebrates the Lucile Halsell Conservatory as one of our city’s most iconic and enduring structures.”

Left: SABG and Butler team members work to identify key audiences. Right: Amber Byfield and Hannah Roberts present their group’s work.

Butler and SABG teams together outside the Betty Kelso Center after their day-long blitz workshop.

Let’s dig deeper.

The San Antonio Botanical Garden has a deep history in the region as a leader in innovation, plant and resource conservation, and education. The icons in the new logo represent the pieces of the Garden that make it iconic, from the Lucile Halsell Conservatory, to its physical location in the city and its important work in water conservation. The tagline, ‘Grow curious,’ is an invitation for visitors and staff alike to keep on exploring.

Unfurling the Vision

“There was a lot to work with,” said Barrett Fry, Director of Design, Butler. “We drew inspiration from the land, the history, the Garden’s world-renowned architecture, and its bold vision for the future.”

The logo itself is a masterful example of this. It showcases some of the multifaceted gems the Garden has to offer: the iconic conservatory designed by Emilio Ambasz; a bright orange monarch, symbolizing San Antonio’s status as a Monarch Champion City and the Garden’s official Monarch Waystation; a loamy hillside, evoking the Garden’s topography; and a gentle stream, an homage to our incredible conservation efforts including the Water Saver Community. The new brand’s bright, bold color palette is directly inspired by the flora and fauna of the Garden, from the endangered Zapata bladderpod to the native Texas mountain laurel, and even the plant hybridization work with a color inspired by Moy’s hibiscus.

When a significant change is approaching, honest concerns are natural and expected. Butler’s role as a change leader created space for all conversations, leading diverse perspectives to align around the Garden’s future. Ultimately, the final brand version was embraced as bold, intriguing, and refreshing.

A brand is much more than a logo. It’s a whole identity system that includes colors, typography, a narrative, and a tagline. Butler used all of these elements to help reinforce what makes the Garden so special.

Water: 70% of the Garden’s irrigation systems use recycled water, conserving millions of gallons of drinking water annually while maintaining our collections.

Architecture: SABG’s one-of-a-kind conical shaped conservatory designed by famed architect Emilio Ambasz.

Pollinators: SABG is located along the Monarch butterfly migration path and provides critical habitat.

Our new logo showcases four icons, representing four essential building blocks of our education and conservation work.

Land: SABG is located on a hilltop and is one of the highest points in San Antonio.

From left to right, clockwise: branded signage outside of the gift shop, entrance banner, Broadway banners.

The Future in Bloom

With our new brand identity, the Garden is prepared to dream even bigger, continuing the legacy of inspiring curiosity among visitors of all ages and abilities. This transition is rooted in the Garden’s key audiences and a strong commitment to honoring a rich history and a bold vision for the future. “We take pride in our part in the Garden’s intention to protect the diversity of our great state by showcasing the joy it brings to humanity,” said Amber Byfield, Senio Collaboration Manager, Butler.

“We’re building on 45 years of inspiring curiosity as we step boldly into our next chapter.

Our new brand invites people to discover the wonder waiting for them at the Garden while showcasing the critical conservation work that positions us among the world’s leading botanical gardens. We can’t wait to see how this sparks curiosity in our community and beyond.”

Katherine Trumble, President and CEO, San Antonio Botanical Garden

The Poetics of Possibility

A Decade with Patrick Shearn and Poetic Kinetics

By Marnie Sehayek, Strategy Director, Poetic Kinetics

Patrick Shearn, Visions in Motion

curated by Kuturprojekte Berlin Berlin, 2019

It’s 2019, and the chill in the Berlin air feels sharper on the boom lift platform 144 feet above the city. Patrick Shearn – artist, madman, my boss, and friend – and I are standing at the maximum telescoped height of the machine, just above the Brandenburg Gate. Thirty years earlier, the Berlin Wall stood where we are now, but today, we’ve just finished installing the artist’s 24,000-squarefoot aerial canopy, Visions in Motion, commemorating the anniversary of the wall’s dismantling.

Beneath our feet, this artwork reflects a painful history while serving as a triumphant, peaceful bridge to the future. We laughed and exhaled deeply, savoring a moment of pause amid an otherwise hectic week of installation, meeting dignitaries, press interviews, and working with the State to gather 40,000 messages of hope, peace, and unity from the public to include in the artwork. Made of hundreds of thousands of strips of kite fabric, the installation from the artist’s groundbreaking Skynet Series billowed and wrinkled in the wind like a vast, recurring wave. In quiet moments, visitors could read the words of their peers, from ages five to 85, about what they wished for the world. The overall effect was an artwork that served as an open letter of care, optimism, urgency, and unity. We paused to appreciate just how far we had come. It was a conversation we both keep returning to, the kind that keeps the fire alive in our work to this day.

The Skynet Series

The Skynet Series premiered with Liquid Shard in Los Angeles (2016), which notably transformed an overlooked downtown city park into a vibrant destination where communities gathered, children played, and visitors watched in awe. “We went in guerrilla style and installed it in one night,” Patrick reflects. “The mayor’s phone was ringing off the hook about it.” Rightly so, over its two-week display, approximately 80,000 visitors came to the park, not to mention the tens of millions of views the artwork received

online. Patrick continues, “There was no plaque or clear attribution, and people sincerely wondered how such a thing was possible.” Inconspicuously rigged, the artwork appeared to levitate in midair. With the viral surge into public consciousness, I joined the Poetic Kinetics team to help seize the moment. To date, we’ve exhibited over two dozen of these site-specific artworks worldwide.

A Naturalist, Machine Punk, Survivalist, and Artist

A play-by-play account of Patrick’s life reads like the highlight reel of several different people. As I’ve gotten to know him over the past eight years of working together, it’s become clear how these experiences have shaped his artistic practice and character. He was a natureloving kid who grew up catching tadpoles and building things with his hands from an early age, thanks to creative, outsidethe-box parents in the Black Forest of Colorado. His mother is a prolific maker herself and was the head of the Art Department at Pikes Peak Community College for decades. Playtime was a tangible experience. Build a miniature boat from scratch using scrap wood and scroll saws in the garage—then race them in the pond. In high school, Patrick spent summers as a sea kayaking guide in Baja, where he first came into contact with nature on a monumental scale, swimming with sea lions and following gray whale migrations.

After mule packing in the Baja Sierras and guiding rafts on the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon, he spent his twenties working seasonally in Alaska on commercial construction crews, gaining skills with heavy equipment. He also took on commercial fishing gigs and camped in the woods to avoid rent. Later, he moved to New York City to attend film school, where he immersed himself in practical effects and creature making. Just before graduating, he headed to Los Angeles, where he built animatronics and puppeteered with Stan Winston Studios on Jurassic Park (if you look closely, his hand unintentionally makes the final cut) and created the fire effects in Interview with the Vampire.

“I picked up a sense of having no fear and really learned what a human being is capable of,” Patrick says. In nature, he found no shortage of revelation: “If you pay attention, there are so many little moments. You can stop and watch a whirlpool on the edge of a river. I began finding inspiration in details like that and felt driven to recreate the visceral feeling you have inside when you, for instance, look at an amazing sunset.”

Guests enjoying Enchanted Trees exhibition at the Atlanta Botanical Garden.

“My work seeks to transport people to a ‘child state’ where there is an innocent, expansive feeling of possibility, wonder, and joy.”

In 1999, Patrick attended Burning Man for the first time, marking the beginning of a 25-year tenure at the festival. His first art installations at the festival in the early 2000s shattered the skyline with giant roving tributes to various flora. The Hope Flower and Venus Flytrap sculptures were girded by boom lifts, which earned him an invitation to fabricate, direct, produce, and perform a giant puppet show for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, collaborating with the Beijing Contemporary Dance Company. To take the job, he co-founded Poetic Kinetics, and the team produced 30-foot fully animated puppets controlled by cranes and forklifts.

For the better part of two decades, Poetic Kinetics has set a benchmark for interactive festival art, with larger-thanlife roving figures exhibited at Burning Man, Electric Daisy Carnival, and the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, where the studio remains a fan favorite. With each installation seeking to top the last, pushing the envelope became something of a bread-and-butter operation.

Poetic Kinetics: Studio as Laboratory

With Poetic Kinetics, Shearn has built a studio that treats every project as an experiment in motion, collaboration, and audience engagement. From giant puppets and immersive projections to festival-scale pyrotechnics to artisanal museum installations and kinetic public installations, the studio leverages technology and craftsmanship to create experiences that linger long after a viewer has walked away.

Whether through scale, motion, optical illusion, or more profound meaning, there’s an invitation in this work. Step out of passive consumerism. Experience your senses. Play.

A Philosophy of Life

Back to the boom lift in Berlin. That evening, standing 144 feet above the Brandenburg Gate with our most highprofile installation to date stretching beneath us, I tried to add some levity to the moment. “So, Patrick, how does it feel to be on top of the world?” I asked, half-joking. The artwork was a stunning success, drawing over a million visitors in seven days, making frontpage headlines in several newspapers, and serving as the centerpiece of an international broadcast event featuring Nobel laureates and cultural and political leaders.

“You know, the art is almost a byproduct,” he said smiling. “Creating moments like this is why we do what we do.” His words stayed with me. Not only is the art merely an artifact of a life well lived, but beyond that, the Poetic Kinetics ethos is to, above all else, create, facilitate,

and cultivate awe-inspiring experiences among us. The kind that makes you wonder, “How is this possible?”, and then expands your entire sense of possibility. We both find ourselves reflecting on this conversation often. In this moment of pause, we touched on an essential guiding principle for our collective.

The craft lies in the approach: in the rigorous, collaborative process, and in the intentional moments of connection we create, whether between two friends on a tiny platform in the sky or among thousands of strangers beneath a soaring sculpture that seems to breathe with the wind. Patrick’s character, both as an artist and as a person, is rooted in this core idea. Beyond producing spectacle, his greatest contribution is making space for authentic human experience. It’s not about what we make, but rather what we make possible.

After all is said and done, that is the art.

Patrick Shearn of Poetic Kinetics installs ReflectionRising at Canal Convergence in 2018.

March 7 – July 7, 2026

Otherwild at the San Antonio Botanical Garden invites visitors into a vibrant world where wonder takes root and the sky comes alive. This large-scale immersive exhibit features the visionary work of artist Patrick Shearn and his studio, Poetic Kinetics, known for turning public spaces into areas of magic, movement, and awe.

Otherwild is presented in two parts at the Garden. One is Flora Borealis, a custom Skynet installation that vividly contrasts with the Garden’s lush landscapes as it floats and moves with the breeze. Made from ultra-lightweight materials, it mimics the flowing movement of birds and fish. Second, Shearn presents Enchanted Trees, a sculptural grove featuring ten imaginary species that celebrate the whimsical diversity of nature. Each tree has a unique personality, crafted from shimmering, reflective materials that come alive with the breeze and sunlight. Leaf-like forms flutter, mirrored branches catch fleeting reflections, and translucent canopies cast ever-changing shadows and light across the garden floor.

“These trees are characters,” Shearn reflects. “They have life in them, responding to light, air, and the people moving among them. My goal is for visitors to feel part of the story, to step into a fantastical yet familiar space and discover all the magic hiding in the details.”

Meet the Artist: Patrick Shearn

Patrick Shearn is a Colorado-based artist renowned for his large-scale kinetic installations, which transform public spaces into immersive experiences. Inspired by nature and science, his work evokes a sense of wonder, inviting play and connection. With a 30-year career in the film industry that spanned animatronics and visual effects, Shearn founded Poetic Kinetics, a studio celebrated for its bold, boundary-pushing art. Shearn is best known for his Skynet Art Series, which captures the motion of natural phenomena, such as flocks of birds or schools of fish. Poetic Kinetics is widely known for its iconic works at Coachella and Burning Man, where ten massive, animated sculptures define the visual identity of both festivals.

Otherwild is made possible by the generous support of our sponsors: Elizabeth Huth Coates Charitable Foundation of 1992, Dickson-Allen Foundation, Gretchen Swanson Family Foundation, Nancy Moorman, and William Knox Holt Foundation.

Discovering the Sublime Beauty of Math in Bloom

By Katie Erickson, VP of Learning and Interpretation Andrew Labay, Chief Mission Officer

Math is inherent to nature’s design—from the spiral of a pinecone to the curve of a fern and the pattern in which branches grow. Throughout 2026, the Garden invites you to see the world through a new lens with Math in Bloom, a creative exploration of how mathematics shapes the natural world.

Math in Bloom is supported by the Simons Foundation and is part of “Infinite Sums,” a national initiative that will, among other things, connect people to the mathematics inherent in nature. Each participating botanical garden will create interactive experiences to celebrate mathematical beauty.

Led by the San Antonio Botanical Garden, Math in Bloom includes six botanical gardens across the United

States: Cheekwood Estate & Gardens (Nashville, TN), Denver Botanic Gardens (Denver, CO), Desert Botanical Garden (Phoenix, AZ), Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens (Columbus, OH), Queens Botanical Garden (Flushing, NY), to bring this idea to life through plants, design, and discovery.

Math in Bloom will activate across participating Gardens nationwide around three key dates in 2026: Pi Day on March 14, Infinity Day on August 8, and Fibonacci Day on November 23. Each date activation offers a fresh perspective on how math and plants intertwine.

To shape these experiences, SABG has teamed up with mathematicians from Southwestern University, St. Mary’s University, and Trinity University. Their ideas have sparked creative connections

Artwork is courtesy of the Simons Foundation and is part of its Infinite Sums initiative. Learn more at infinitesums. simonsfoundation.org

between math and nature—from scavenger hunts for spirals and fractals to modeling population balance with native and invasive plants.

Be part of Math in Bloom and join the Simons Foundation’s “Infinite Sums” national initiative that will inspire us to move from the practical to the sublime and broaden our idea of what math is. Together, we will discover that math is more than we realize—inherent to nature—revealing, patterns, balance, and beauty right before our eyes.

(3.14.2026)

For Pi Day, SABG will celebrate circles— the relationship between a circle’s diameter and circumference. Guests will explore circular garden designs, count the rings inside a tree trunk to discover its age, and enjoy a slice of Pi(e) fresh from the Outdoor Teaching Kitchen. It’s a moment to taste, see, and measure how π connects everything round.

(8.8.2026)

Infinity Day turns our focus to cycles— the endless processes that sustain life. From the nutrient and water cycles to pollination and propagation, guests can explore how plants depend on infinite renewal. The Garden will showcase the patterns of infinity in nature with displays of ancient cycads and ferns, along with fractal-inspired patterns. Visitors can get their hands dirty by creating terrariums, making compost, and propagating new plant cuttings—a living lesson in continuity.

(11.23.2026)

For Fibonacci Day, the Garden will showcase the world’s favorite sequence: 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8… From the spiral of a sunflower to the arrangement of leaves on a stem, Fibonacci numbers describe how plants grow efficiently and beautifully. Guests will create Fibonacciinspired cocktails, discover Fibonacci sequence-inspired landscapes, hunt for spirals hidden throughout the Garden, and write a “Fib”—a short poem form that mirrors the famous sequence.

Simons Foundation Science, Society & Culture Leaders and Math in Bloom Collaborative Partners convened at the San Antonio Botanical Garden on October 3, 2025, to connect and plan for 2026 activations.

“Math’s presence in the plant world is unmistakable.

Fibonacci sequences appear across plant biology as a growth pattern that optimizes light, space, and reproduction. Succulents and vegetables, such as broccoli, are brilliant displays of fractals. The propagation of plants speaks to their seemingly infinite ability to regenerate and survive. All of this and more is on display in botanic gardens across the country.”

This work is supported by the Simons Foundation and is part of its “Infinite Sums” initiative. For more information, visit infinitesums.simonsfoundation.org.

The Simons Foundation’s Science, Society & Culture division seeks to provide opportunities for people to forge a connection to science — whether for the first time or a lifetime. Through their initiatives, they work to inspire a feeling of awe and wonder, foster connections between people and science, and support environments

that provide a sense of belonging. The Simons Foundation’s mission is to advance the frontiers of research in mathematics and the basic sciences. Since its founding in 1994 by Jim and Marilyn Simons, the foundation has been a champion of basic science through grant funding, support for research, and public engagement. They believe in asking big questions and providing sustained support to researchers working to unravel the mysteries of the universe.

Excerpt from infinitesums. simonsfoundation.org.

Educate & Inspire

Become a Docent at the Garden

The Garden is a living classroom where every plant, pathway, and display sparks curiosity and wonder. To help grow our mission, we are looking for new volunteers to join our Docent Program. Docents play a vital role in shaping visitors’ experiences. By leading tours, conversations, and programs, you can share knowledge that helps guests learn about the Garden’s history, discover native plants, explore water-saving techniques, and appreciate the importance of plants in our daily lives.

Docent-led tours highlight the Garden’s most engaging areas, from the Conservatory to the Texas Native Trails, and the WaterSaver Community Garden. Docents guide visitors through interactive learning experiences, welcome guests on private tours, or lead drop-in tours.

Tours last one hour or less but leave a lasting impression. Docents also support educational programs by providing information through discovery carts. No previous teaching or tour experience is necessary. What matters most is enthusiasm, curiosity, a desire to share, and love for the Garden. All docents receive specialized training. Before committing to leading one tour per month, docents will shadow each type of tour twice.

Information Session Wednesday, February 18 10 – 11 a.m.

Training Session Thursday, March 5 9 – 11 a.m.

To learn more, contact: Allison Russell, ARussell@sabgtx.org

Chloe Blumenberg, CBlumenberg@sabgtx.org

We look forward to welcoming you into our community of volunteers and docents who inspire a greater appreciation of the natural world and promote stewardship for future generations.

Hidden Gems of the Garden

By Andrew Labay, Chief Mission Officer

While guests often admire our more familiar flora, a quiet walk through the Garden reveals some of our most remarkable and lesser-known treasures. These hidden gems showcase the incredible diversity, beauty, and stories preserved in our collections. Come visit us and discover these hidden gems!

Arroyo Sweetwood (Myrospermum sousanum)

Native to Mexico, the Arroyo Sweetwood is a striking member of the legume family (Fabaceae), best known for its delicate, vanilla-scented blooms that grace the garden each spring. Our most impressive specimen, collected by the noted plantsman Lynn Lowery, grows in the Rare and Endangered Garden. With its graceful form and aromatic flowers, this tree offers a sensory delight to those who seek it out.

Rare & Endangered Garden

Native to Northern Mexico

Montezuma Cypress (Taxodium mucronatum)

The Montezuma Cypress, native to Southern Texas and Mexico, is famed for its massive girth— some of the largest trees in the world belong to this species. Within the Garden, two mature, weeping Montezuma cypresses flanking the Wisteria Arbor are among the most impressive and photogenic specimens in our collection.

On the other side of the Garden, at the East Texas Native Trail, stand two non-weeping Montezuma cypresses—the tallest and broadest trees we cultivate. Together, these ancient giants embody embody strength and serenity.

Greehey Lawn, East Texas Native Trail

Native to Southern Texas and Mexico

Desert Willow (Chilopsis linearis)

Graceful and resilient, the Desert Willow thrives in arid regions from western Texas to California and into Mexico. Highly drought-tolerant and ornamental, this species rewards observers with trumpet-shaped blooms in vibrant shades of pink and purple.

The original ‘Bubba’ Desert Willow—the most popular cultivar in the nursery trade—can be found at the base of the Overlook. For those exploring further, the largest and most stunning specimen resides in the WaterSaver Garden, a living testament to the beauty of adaptation and endurance.

Overlook, WaterSaver Garden

Native to Southwestern United States and Mexico

Living Legacies

Each of these species tells a story of resilience, discovery, and beauty that transcends borders. Together, they form a quiet narrative within the Garden: one that rewards those who take the time to look a little closer.

Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea recurvata)

Despite its name, the Ponytail Palm is not a true palm but a succulent tree native to Mexico. Its bulbous base stores water, enabling it to thrive in dry environments. While often grown indoors as a decorative plant, it is sensitive to frost in our climate.

The Garden is home to an extraordinary Ponytail Palm located in the Palm and Cycad Pavilion. With a base measuring 27 feet in circumference, it ranks among the largest cultivated specimens in the world, estimated to be over 50 years old—a true botanical marvel.

Palm and Cycad Pavilion (Lucile Halsell Conservatory)

Native to Mexico

Frankincense (Boswellia sacra)

Few trees carry as much cultural and historical weight as Frankincense. Native to Northeastern Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, Boswellia sacra has been prized for millennia for its fragrant resin—used in incense, perfume, and spiritual rituals.

Today, the species faces threats from habitat loss and overharvesting, and is considered nearthreatened to endangered in its natural range. Its presence in the Garden is therefore both rare and symbolic—a living reminder of nature’s deep connection to human history.

Robert and Helen Kleberg Desert Pavilion

Native to Northeastern Africa and the Arabian Peninsula

Camphor Tree (Camphora officinarum)

Native to China, the Camphor Tree is a resilient evergreen known for its fragrant foliage and distinctive aroma. Our specimen, located in the Sensory Garden, is one of the original plantings in that space and has withstood numerous freeze events over the years.

A rare tree for South Texas, this camphor has become a symbol of endurance and adaptation— offering visitors both a sensory and historical connection to the early days of the garden’s development.

Sensory Garden

Native to China

A New Era Under Glass

The Lucile Halsell Conservatory Evolves

By Hannah Roberts, Chief Development Officer

Andrew Labay, Chief Mission Officer

Sam Hogg, Vice President of Operations

This spring, the Garden will complete a two-and-a-half-year restoration project to enhance the Lucile Halsell Conservatory and ensure the safety of our collections, marking a bright new chapter for the Garden. All laminate windows across the five houses of the Lucile Halsell Conservatory have been replaced with nearly 37,000 square feet of custom-cut glass. The Conservatory shines with renewed brilliance—thanks to the generosity of the City of San Antonio, whose investment is restoring the architectural landmark to its original splendor.

We are now moving forward with the next phase of transformation—two extraordinary capital projects that bring renewed vitality and purpose to the space: the Napier Family Orchid Pavilion and the Gretchen Northrup Tropical Conservatory, both scheduled to open in the Fall of 2026.

Together, these initiatives embody the heart of the Garden’s 10-Year Master Plan, guiding future growth through innovation, education, and community connection.

28 San Antonio Botanical Garden

Workers placing the original glass in the Lucile Halsell Conservatory, 1975-1980.

The Napier Family Orchid Pavilion

A Cloud Forest Comes to Life

Within the Conservatory’s collection of glass houses, the former Exhibit Room is being transformed into the Napier Family Orchid Pavilion. This world-class environment will position the Garden as the premier orchid collection in the Southwest.

“The Exhibit Room was originally designed as the grand entrance to the Lucile Halsell Conservatory—a dynamic space for rotating botanical exhibits and seasonal displays. Over time, its purpose evolved. We continued to draw more visitors with a popular tropical plant installation featuring a striking artificial tree draped with epiphytes. Bromeliads, aroids, and orchids clung to its branches, transforming the room into a lush tribute to the tropics. As interest in the display grew, so did the Garden’s orchid collection,” says Chief Mission Officer, Andrew Labay.

In 2019, volunteers from the Alamo Orchid Society expanded the collection through generous donations and expert

guidance. One year later, the Garden launched its first Orchid Weekend, celebrating orchid diversity and culture. The event quickly expanded to Orchid Month, featuring creative floral displays, living orchid walls, educational classes, and guided tours.

When the full Conservatory renovations began in 2024, an ambitious vision came to life—reimagining the Exhibit Room as a permanent tribute to orchid diversity and conservation supported by companion plant families such as bromeliads, aroids, and begonias.

The Napier Family Orchid Pavilion is designed to emulate a tropical Orchid Cloud Forest, one of the most threatened ecosystems on Earth. The Pavilion recreates the cool, misty, highaltitude locations where clouds touch the trees, in places such as Costa Rica and Southeast Asia.

This immersive new habitat will support the expansion of the Garden’s orchid collection from approximately 150 species and varieties to over 600,

Beallarasp. ‘Hawaiian Nights’

significantly increasing the Garden’s horticultural and educational impact. The focus is not only on threatened cloud forest species but also on exceptional cultivated orchid varieties known for their form, fragrance, and

Rendering of future Napier Family Orchid Pavilion by Reed Hilderbrand.

blooms. The center of the pavilion will also be opened to accommodate larger gatherings, educational programs, and seasonal exhibits.

vines,” says President and CEO, Katherine Trumble.

The Kukana Naylor Orchid Waterfall: A Cascade of Beauty Inspired by Island Splendor

with our San Antonio community, creating a space to escape to nature’s beauty right here in our beloved city,” says Susan Naylor.

“We are deeply honored to partner with the Garden on this transformative initiative,” says Dacia Napier. “Orchids represent beauty, resilience, and the power of nature—qualities that exemplify the Garden’s mission. We believe it is imperative to support efforts that preserve the planet’s biodiversity. With orchids thriving in ecosystems worldwide, this initiative positions the Garden as a leader in their conservation. Through scientific research, education, and immersive experiences, the Orchid Pavilion will not only protect these extraordinary plants but also inspire our community to appreciate and safeguard the natural world.”

“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Dacia and Lanham Napier, whose leadership, generosity, and passion for orchids inspired their visionary investment in this exceptional project. We are thrilled to name the Napier Family Orchid Pavilion in their honor. Our guests will experience an environment of rare and spectacular orchids, suspended epiphytes, and walls adorned with

As a highlight of the Napier Family Orchid Pavilion, we are delighted to announce a generous gift from Susan Naylor to create the Kukana Naylor Orchid Waterfall—a breathtaking, cascading display where orchids flourish among flowing waters. The name “Kukana,” meaning Susan in Hawaiian, symbolizes her deep connection to the Hawaiian Islands, where some of the world’s most extraordinary orchids grow in the wild.

Susan’s generosity reflects her enduring commitment to enriching San Antonio’s cultural landscape and her passion for creating spaces of restoration and joy. The Kukana Naylor Orchid Waterfall will transport visitors to a tropical paradise while remaining firmly rooted in Texas— an experience that will inspire and delight generations to come, honoring her beautiful legacy of community investment.

“The wild orchids and waterfalls of Hawaii have always taken my breath away. Through this gift, I hope to share that same sense of wonder and tranquility

The 2nd Annual Bubbles & Blooms Luncheon, held March 31, 2025, and co-chaired by CeCe Frost Griffin and Joannah Pickett, gathered more than 400 guests who celebrated the diversity and wonder of orchids while raising funds for this landmark initiative.

When complete, the Napier Family Orchid Pavilion with the Kukana Naylor Orchid Waterfall will not only enchant visitors—it will also advance the Garden’s conservation mission, nurturing the species that represent some of the most captivating and delicate plant life on Earth.

Beallarasp. ‘Chocolate Drop’

The Gretchen Northrup Tropical Conservatory

A Celebration of Human Ecology

Just steps away, another transformation is taking shape within the Lucile Halsell Conservatory: the Gretchen Northrup Tropical Conservatory, also known as the Tropical Room.

The Tropical Room has long been a magical space that transports visitors from South Texas into a lush, vibrant tropical forest. When it reopens in Fall 2026, guests will enjoy a celebration of edible and useful tropical plants. The Tropical Room will showcase the connections between people, plants, and the foods that nourish, heal, and sustain communities worldwide.

A new elevated steel walkway will guide guests through zones of botanical discovery, offering a fresh perspective and view of the tropical canopy from above. A revamped water feature, expanded vertical plant installations, and a majestic tamarind tree (Tamarindus indica) will anchor the space. In Southeast Asia, tamarind trees often mark the center of a community — offering shade,

fruit, and a gathering place adorned with ribbons that symbolize unity between people and nature. This is the heart of the Garden’s mission: to bring people together through nature.

Along the path, visitors will encounter plants long cherished by cultures around the world for their culinary and practical uses. Displays include ginger (Zingiber officinale) and black pepper (Piper nigrum), revealing the roots and vines behind familiar flavors. Nearby, cinnamon (Cinnamomum spp.) and cacao (Theobroma cacao) showcase the origins of common cooking ingredients, connecting everyday experiences to their tropical roots. Throughout the conservatory, vertical plantings and trellises will surround visitors in lush growth, creating an enveloping sense of exploration.

Around every turn, plants tell stories of culture and flavor. The dragon fruit

Tamarindus indica

Tamarindus indica fruit

Rendering of the transformed Gretchen Northrup Tropical Conservatory by Reed Hilderbrand.

(Selenicereus spp.) will climb vertically on trellises, its sculptural stems and brilliant blooms adding surreal elegance. Nearby, passion fruit (Passiflora spp.) vines will cascade with tendrils and intricate flowers, symbolizing both beauty and abundance. The coffee tree (Coffea spp.) will evoke familiar daily rituals, while papaya (Carica papaya) and banana (Musa spp.) lend tropical vibrancy and nourishment. Finally, the star-shaped fruits of carambola (Averrhoa carambola) will shimmer among glossy leaves, a playful reminder of nature’s artistry.

Together, these plants will form a living tapestry—a space where every scent, color, and texture rekindles wonder and invites guests to reconnect with the tropical world.

Honoring a Vision, Inspiring a Future

The Lucile Halsell Conservatory is a symbol of innovation in San Antonio—a place where visitors can experience the extraordinary diversity of global ecosystems within a single, artfully designed landscape. The Ewing Halsell Foundation’s extraordinary vision brought this architectural masterpiece to life. Today, the generosity of donors, volunteers, and community champions keeps the dream alive, evolving the Conservatory into a dynamic, living classroom that bridges art, ecology, and culture.

As the mist rises over the new Napier Family Orchid Pavilion and the canopy walkway weaves through the Gretchen Northrup Tropical Conservatory, the Lucile Halsell Conservatory begins its next luminous chapter—one that celebrates both the legacy of the past and the promise of what is yet to bloom.

Tuesday, March 31, 2026

The transformation of these two Conservatory houses is more than a renovation—it is a catalyst for the Garden’s 10-Year Master Plan, which envisions expanded learning spaces, greater conservation impact, and unforgettable visitor experiences rooted in sustainability and community connection. These projects showcase how the Master Plan is brought to life through collaboration, creativity, and generosity.

The 3rd Annual Bubbles & Blooms Luncheon will celebrate the inspiring transformation of The Gretchen Northrup Tropical Conservatory. The luncheon, co-chaired by Rebecca Nathan and Angela Rabke, will once again bring together supporters and advocates who believe in the Garden’s power to educate and inspire through beauty, science, and storytelling. Visit sabgtx. org or contact Gabrielle ZamoraEverett at geverett@sabgtx.org or 210.536.1339 for all the event details and to secure your sponsorship.

The Gretchen Northrup Tropical Conservatory, 2025

The Gretchen Northrup Tropical Conservatory, 2025

Pollinator Gardens

By Andrew Labay, Chief Mission Officer

Pollinator gardens serve as vital havens for wildlife and ecosystem health. They offer food and shelter for bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other key pollinators. Even a small backyard can make a lasting difference.

The most crucial element of any pollinator garden is diversity—a variety of native plants that bloom from spring through fall provides a steady supply of nectar and pollen. Adding larval host plants, nesting sites, and water sources further boosts habitat value, supporting pollinators at every stage of their life cycle. By planting native species and avoiding pesticides, you can create lively, sustainable landscapes that nourish both pollinators and people.

Anisacanthusquadrifidusvar.

Ready to create your own pollinator paradise?

Our Pollinator Garden Starter Kits make it simple! Each pollinator kit includes six different native plants, a seed packet with six more native species, and an educational guide to help you design and care for your garden. Available exclusively at our Plant Sales! For $30, you will have an easy jump start to providing pollinators with a home—and adding vibrant color and life to your landscape. Pollinator Kits are generously sponsored by H-E-B Our Texas, Our Future.

Engelman’s Daisy Engelmanniaperistenia

Purple Coneflower Echinaceapurpurea

Fall Aster Symphyotrichumoblongifolium

Scarlet Sage Salvia coccinea

Texas Lantana Lantana urticoides

Lemon Beebalm Monarda citriodora

Texas Bluebonnet Lupinustexensis

Mealy Blue Sage Salvia farinacea

Gregg’s Mistflower Conocliniumgreggii

Indian Blanket Gaillardiapulchella

Flame Acanthus

wrightii

By Michael Eason, VP of Conservation and Collections

In some areas, over ninety percent of mature trees were destroyed.

When the July 4, 2025, flood swept through the Texas Hill Country, the landscape and the lives of so many were forever altered. The Guadalupe River— famous for its towering Bald cypresslined banks—lost much of its canopy and stability. In some areas, over ninety percent of mature trees were destroyed. The damage went beyond scenery; it was an ecological and cultural loss that reverberated throughout the region.

The San Antonio Botanical Garden quickly recognized both the need and the opportunity to lead a restoration effort grounded in science, collaboration, and community action. From that vision, the TREES Initiative—Texas Recovery for Ecological and Environmental Stability—was established to help heal the Guadalupe and its tributaries.

A Vision Rooted in Restoration

The Garden team turned devastation into determination, launching an initiative that channels the Garden’s conservation expertise and expansive horticultural network toward a singular mission: restoring the native tree cover stripped from the Guadalupe River’s riparian corridors.

By using only locally collected seed from the Guadalupe River watershed, TREES ensures that every new generation of trees maintains the unique genetic characteristics of Hill Country populations—preserving both ecological function and regional identity. This locally focused approach aligns with global best practices in plant conservation and ecological restoration, emphasizing adaptation, resilience, and biodiversity.

Aftermath of July 4th flooding at the South Fork of the Guadalupe River.

The TREES Initiative will gather, grow, and plant more than 50,000 native trees along the Guadalupe River and its watershed.

From Seed to Seedling to Riparian Woodlands

Over the next three years, the TREES Initiative will gather, grow, and plant more than 50,000 native trees along the Guadalupe River and its watershed. The main target species are the dominant canopy trees, including Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum), Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis), Ash (Fraxinus spp.), Black Willow (Salix nigra), and Chinquapin Oak (Quercusmuhlenbergii).

Secondary target species include other tree species, such as Soapberry (Sapindus drummondii) and Pecan (Carya illinoinensis), as well as understory plants such as Red Buckeye (Aesculus pavia), Walnut (Juglans nigra), and Button-bush (Cephalanthus occidentalis).

The process began with wild seed collection during the fall of 2025, carefully timed to coincide with natural fruiting cycles. Michael Eason, Vice President of Conservation and Collections, oversees the seed collection program, ensuring it follows established conservation protocols. No more than twenty percent of available seed is gathered from any one site, protecting the integrity of existing tree populations and ensuring continued regeneration. Each collection is documented to maintain full provenance, providing traceability for all future plantings.

Volunteers began cleaning seeds in the fall, and we continue to host seed

cleaning sessions now through March 2026, held on Mondays. Throughout the project, TREES Inititative volunteer opportunities will align with the seasonal needs of the three-year project, from seed collecting and processing to planting and after-care. Learn more about volunteering by visiting sabgtx.org/trees.

Collected seed is transported to the San Antonio Botanical Garden for processing and cleaning, where it is prepared for distribution to partner nurseries. Under Andrew Labay’s guidance, these nurseries will germinate and grow the seedlings to planting size, usually in plugs or one-gallon containers. This partnership model increases propagation capacity while ensuring that each plant maintains accurate source documentation.

Planting and Stewardship

By the winters of 2026 and 2027, the first seedlings will be ready for outplanting along prioritized stretches of the Guadalupe. Site selection is based on ecological needs—focusing on erosion control, canopy recovery, long-term watershed stabilization, and access for aftercare.

The planting phase will be volunteerled, involving community members, landowners, and conservation partners in hands-on restoration work. Participants will receive training on proper planting and maintenance techniques to improve

Quercus sinuata acorns

Scott Litchke and Doug Elkins collecting seeds at Verde Creek.

survival rates. Besides restoring canopy cover, these activities will strengthen soil stability, enhance water quality, and create essential habitat for wildlife.

The Garden will also coordinate longterm monitoring to evaluate success, including tracking seedling survival, canopy recovery, and habitat use over time. The data will inform adaptive management strategies and ensure that restoration goals are achieved sustainably. Trained volunteers will assist and, in some cases, lead monitoring efforts during the years following the initial plantings.

Science, Education, and Community Engagement

At its heart, the TREES Initiative serves as a model for community-based

conservation. It combines professional expertise with public participation, enabling individuals to directly support the ecological recovery of one of Texas’ most valued waterways.

The program’s outreach component will include training workshops on conservation seed collection, propagation, and planting best practices, equipping volunteers and local partners with the knowledge to support similar efforts. By fostering understanding of native ecosystems and conservation methods, TREES aims to not only restore trees but also promote long-term environmental stewardship across the Hill Country.

Partnerships for a Living Legacy

The TREES Initiative is supported by a

broad coalition of partners, including the Hill Country Alliance, Texas Parks and Wildlife, Texas Forest Service, Schreiner University, Hill Country Conservancy, Native Plant Society of Texas, Riverside Nature Center, City of Kerrville, Kerr County Water Alliance, TreeFolks, and numerous local nurseries and landowners.

By 2028, tens of thousands of young trees will once again line the banks of the Guadalupe River. Each tree symbolizes progress toward recovery— an investment in the resilience of the Hill Country landscape and the communities that rely on it.

San Antonio Botanical Garden conservation team sorting through seeds at Verde Creek.

Blanton’s Longleaf Container Nursery • Bluejay Tree Farm • Casey Williams • City of Austin • City of Kerrville

Habitat Select Nursery • Hill Country Alliance • Hill Country Conservancy • Kerr County Water Alliance Manchaca Bees and Trees • Medina Garden Nursery • Mosty Brothers Nursery • Native Plant Society of Texas

Patrick Kirwin • Rennerwood Tree Farm • Riverside Nature Center • Schreiner University • TerraNative Texas A&M Forest Service • Texas Parks and Wildlife • TreeFolks • Twinwood Farms

With the support of more than 20 partners and local landownders, TREES is working to rebuild a stronger, more resilient river system for communities, wildlife, and generations to come. William & Louree Greehey • The Greehey Family Foundation • The Ewing Halsell Foundation • Don & Lou Celia Frost Whataburger • Barbara & Michael Gentry • Pamela Harte • Jim & Karen Greenwood • Jana Orsinger & Bill Orr Along with many other generous contributors.

TREES is a five-year project with an estimated budget of $5 million. Generous donors have made it possible to kick start TREES at this critical time, allowing the project team to collect over 250,000 native seeds immediately following the Kerr County flood. With continued support, at least 50,000 native trees will be planted along the Guadalupe River in Kerr County bringing ecological and environmental stability to the Texas Hill Country.

Donate, volunteer, or offer your land. Visit sabgtx.org/trees to learn more and get involved.

Donors Make TREES Possible With Major Support From TREES Partners

The Chang Family

By Jami Jones, Membership Manager

Patricia Arriaga Chang, her husband Pei-Li, and their two young children, Mikayla, age 6, and Preston, age 4, joined the Garden’s family of members one year ago. Since then, they have made many memories, nurturing a curiosity for the wonders of nature. I had the privilege of interviewing Patricia about why and how the Garden has become such an important part of her family’s life.

Jami: Why did your family decide to become a member of the Garden?

Patricia: We have several friends with children who are long-time members of the Garden. Last year, each of them mentioned to us the wide array of activities their families enjoy at the Garden, such as Garden Nights, early member hours, and summer camp. This convinced us to join, and it has exceeded our expectations. We have now become the family that recommends Garden membership to others.

J: How has the Garden become an important part of your family’s life?

P: Spending time at the Garden is always a wonderful way for our family to relax and unwind, but it also serves as a place where we can stay active. Our children love playing in the Family Adventure Garden and splashing in No Name Creek. We have invited our parents to join us, making it a fun and stress-free day where our children and their grandparents can create special memories together. The first time we visited the Garden was with my 76-year-old mother, who, despite her mobility issues, was able to enjoy the Garden — a pleasant surprise for all of us. It was such a special day where everyone was able to have fun. My mother was able to take frequent breaks in the beauty of the Garden while still watching her grandchildren play.

J: What role has the Garden played in cultivating a curiosity for nature in your children?

P: Our children really enjoy playing outdoors, and the Garden provides a fun and beautiful

environment for them. They love watching the butterflies flutter through the Garden and often have questions about the wide variety of flowers across the grounds. This summer, both kids will be old enough to attend the Garden’s summer camp program, and we’re excited to sign them up. Many of our friends have sent their children there in the past and rave about the curriculum, so we look forward to experiencing it firsthand.

J: Where is your family’s favorite Garden spot for exploring and spending time together?

P: We love taking nature hikes around the entire Garden and always end up in Family Adventure Garden, building sandcastles and

splashing around in the water!

J: What do you hope your children take away from their experiences as they grow up and engage in all the Garden has to offer?

P: We want our children to enjoy playing outside in a screen-free environment. The Garden lets them create memories and spend quality time with us and their grandparents in a space where everyone can have fun. We’re excited for them to learn and grow during the summer camps and other events offered at the Garden

In Appreciation

$100,000+

Amy McNutt Endowment Fund for the Gardens of the Southwest City of San Antonio

Elma Dill Russell Spencer Foundation

Estate of Mary Marshall Sidorsky

Louree and William Greehey

H-E-B

Nancy Smith Hurd Foundation

Dacia and Lanham Napier

Susan Naylor

Simons Foundation

The Ewing Halsell Foundation

The Greehey Family Foundation

Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts

$50,000–$99,999

Betty Stieren Kelso Foundation

Daniel J. Sullivan Family

Charitable Foundation

Elizabeth Huth Coates

Charitable Foundation of 1992

Lou Celia and Don Frost

Gretchen Swanson

Family Foundation

International Motors

Elizabeth and Robert Lende

John R. and Greli N. Less Charitable Trust

Mays Family Foundation

Nancy Moorman

William and Salome Scanlan Foundation

The TND Family Foundation

Bonnie and Stephan Tompsett

Valero

Whataburger

$25,000-$49,999

Capital Group-San Antonio

Dickson-Allen Foundation

Robert J. Kleberg, Jr. and Helen C. Kleberg Foundation

Joannah and Christopher Pickett

Candace Andrews and Uwe Pontius

Louis Herbert Stumberg Jr. Fund

Louis H. and Mary Patricia Stumberg Foundation

The Amini Family Charitable Fund

The Brown Foundation, Inc.

The Carroll and Marguerite Wheeler Foundation

Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Texas, Inc.

$10,000–$24,999

Anonymous 80|20 Foundation

Claire and John Alexander

Alamo Colleges District

Ann and Forrest Word Family Foundation

Bank of America

Bexar County Master Gardeners

Tisha and B. Kyle Beck

Carla and John Brozovich

Cavender Auto Family E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation

Frost Bank

Joan Cheever and Dennis Quinn

Karen and Jim Greenwood

Pat and Hall† Hammond

Pamela Ann Harte

H-E-B Tournament of Champions

Charitable Trust

Joan and Herb Kelleher

Charitable Foundation

James A. “Buddy” Davidson

Charitable Foundation

Margaret and Bill Klesse

Barbara Kyse

Carolina and AJ Lewis

Susan and Steve Lewis

Rick Liberto

Madelline Mathis

Marcia and Otto Koehler Foundation

Melody P. McMahon

Judy N. Morton

Lisa and Mitch Nichols

Barbara and Thomas O’Connor

Anne and Jeff Rochelle

Heather Sargent

Laurie and William Scanlan

Marguerite Scanlan-Ogata

Sallie and Jonathon Schneider

Scott Petty Family Foundation

Shield-Ayres Foundation

Kay and Dennis Stein

Megan and Tres Steves

Paula and Herb Stumberg

Sandra and Scott Teeter

The McCombs Foundation

The Harvey E. Najim

Charitable Foundation

The John and Florence Newman Foundation

The Pat and Tom Frost

Charitable Foundation

The Suzanne Allford Wade Foundation

Claire and George Vaughan

V.H. McNutt Memorial Foundation, Inc.

Donations made December 2024 – November 2025

William Knox Holt Foundation

Julie and Warren Wilkinson

Jenny and Will Wood

$5,000–$9,999

Anonymous

Julie and Barclay Adams

Leslie and Adam Ausburn

Shelley and John Bass

Cielo Strategy Group

Robin Clayton

Anita and John Comander

Dixie Starnes Wenger Foundation

Environmental Fund of Texas

Gayle and Walter Embrey

Faye L. and William L. Cowden

Charitable Foundation

Kelly and Carl Fellbaum

Lisa Furrh

Barbara and Michael Gentry

Gunn Family Foundation

Hixon Properties Incorporated

Jefferson Bank

KGF Law

KSL Family Foundation

Brian T. Kelleher

Jamie and Wes Kimball

Brenda and Eric King

Jessica and Claude Koontz

Cally and Will Kothmann

Yvonne La Vaude

Carrie Gray and Christopher Lefelhocz

Luther King Capital Management

Elizabeth and Hunter Houston

Martha Mares Lebo

Children’s Education Fund of the San Antonio Area Foundation

Carol and John McGuire

Vicki L. McLaughlin

Claire and Easton McNab

Cynthia and Forrest Miller

Whitney Solcher and Joe Miller

Military-Civilian Charitable Foundation

Mission Restaurant Supply

Moontower Entertainment

Meredith K. Morrill

Linde and Dean Murphy

Rebecca and Scott Nathan

Nelson Puett Foundation

Noisy Trumpet Communications

Jana Orsinger and William T. Orr III

Londi Paige

Patricia and Henrik Palme

Catherine and Ben Payer

Petty Hefte Family Foundation

Allison and Alan Pyle

Angela and Earl Rabke

Marianne Rhea Hileman

San Antonio Area Foundation

San Antonio Water System

Serrano Wine LLC

Sunbelt Waterproofing and Restoration LLC

SWBC PEO

The Lisa and Mike Kelleher Fund

The Meredith and Mike Howard Family Fund

The Muriel F. Siebert Foundation Inc.

The National Society Ladies of the Thistle

The Smothers Foundation

Rajia Tobia

Susan and Larry Todd

Dina and Jeff Tom

Trudy and Ed Moore

Charitable Fund

Lisa Uhl

Ulrich Investment Consultants

Catharine and Jeff Vexler

Suzanne and Dick Wade

Lorien and Marc Whyte

Mary Wieser

Stephanie and Christopher Wilde

Joan and W. Reed Williams

Patrick Williamson

John Wombwell

Juliet and Peter Zacher

$1,000–$4,999

1900 Wealth Management

S M Hixon Family Foundation

Lyn and Omar Akhil

Alamo Area Beekeepers Association (ABBA)

Alamo Heights-Terrell Hills

Garden Club

Caroline Alexander

Helen C. Alexander

Amazon

Deborah and Rex Amini

Molly and Michael Amini

Amy Shelton McNutt

Charitable Trust

Kennedy Hatfield Asel and Aaron Asel

Ann Ash

Lara and Sheridan August

Ruth and Edward Austin

Katy Bader

Margie and Morton Baird

Matthew Ballard

Mary Bancroft

Martha and Carlos Bazan

Katie and Tyson Becker

Eveline Bethune

Susan and Navin Bhatia

Michelle Menchaca

Holly and Philip Miller

Susan Moczygemba-McKinsley Janet Montagne

Ana Leah and Sergio Montemayor Motorola Solutions Foundation Matching Program

Ana Montoya

and Ed Moore Laura and Lewis Moorman

Morrow Barbara and Jeffrey Moss

Bonnie and Mark Muecke

Charles Parrish

Kirti and Mahendra Patel

Carolyn and Allan Paterson Susan Mooberry and Gregory Patterson Kris and Bruce Petersen Emilie and Christopher Petty Eleanor and Scott Petty Alice and Pete Pfeiffer

Quandt

and Jimmy Rabinowitz

Ramanath Jane and Brooke Rames Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union

Rialto Studio, Inc.

Rikli Family Foundation

Candy Roach

Rochelle and Manuel Rodriguez

Harriett and Ricardo Romo

Lisa and Jeff Rosenbloom

Heather and Rollins Rubsamen

Lewis Russell Jr. and Jan Jarboe Russell

San Antonio Audubon Society, Inc.

Sapele and Hide

Jenny and Rick Schimpff

Henriette and Josef Seiterle

Lyn and Peter Selig

Sendero Wealth Management

Meagan and Adam Shadfan

Stephanie Bowen and Tylden Shaeffer

Cindy Simpkins

Deb Sovereign

St. Luke’s Episcopal Church

Starbucks Foundation, Neighborhood Grants Fund

Johnise and Scott Stamper

Steves & Sons

TBG Partners

Donald Test

The Arch and Stella Rowan Foundation, Inc.

The Barbara and William Sullivan Charitable Fund

The Tim and Karen Hixon Foundation

The Vaughan Foundation

Weston Miller and Ryan Theuninck

Thomas Charitable Fund

CeCe and Will Thompson

Carolyn and Mark Thornton

Patricia and Patrick Tobin

Alisa Travis

Kimberly and Matthew Traxinger

Alice and John Troy

Katherine and Kristopher Trumble

Reagan Tucker

Anne and Robert Tucker

Lorrie and Arthur Uhl

UT San Antonio

Elky and Mark Van Es

Bette and Jack Vexler

Jordan Vexler

Dawn and Bruce Walker

Franze and Chuck Wall

Robin and Jason Warman

Kelsey and Bryan Waters

AnaPaula and Mark Watson Ann B. Watson

Roberta Churchin and Bob Webster

Ellen and Don Weinacht

Amanda Whalen

Heidi and Mac White

Whole Foods Market

Susan Wilkins-Geery

Bartholomew Wilson

Melinda Winn

Jessica and Robert Clinton Worth

Sarah Elaine Kearney and Ryan Yaden

Mollie Zachry

The Perennials Giving Circles

Members

December 2024 –November 2025