Zilker Botanical Garden Conservancy 2023 Impact Report

REPORT IMPACT

2023

The MISSION of the Zilker Botanical Garden Conservancy is to cultivate community and foster life-long learning that inspires an appreciation of the botanical world.

Holly Hawk Executive Director director@zbgconservancy.org

As a native Texan and longtime Zilker resident, I grew up walking the paths of the Zilker Botanical Garden. Now, my daughter tells friends and strangers alike that I “work at the fairy garden”. Joining the Zilker Botanical Garden Conservancy is a dream realized and I am so proud of all that we have accomplished in the past year. In 2023, the Conservancy received a generous donation by way of a magnificent cacti and succulent collection, broke ground on our first capital project, and established a fund to support an annual internship in perpetuity.

Zilker Botanical Garden came to fruition through partnership nearly 60 years ago, and none of the milestones that occurred this past year would have been possible without the continued partnership of those who believe in our mission. Within the Garden’s gates are countless memories shared with the community and my hope is that as our city grows, our little Garden will grow and evolve alongside it – to remain a historic space to continue creating memories.

I hope to see you in the Garden soon!

Holly Hawk Executive Director Favorite Plant: Larrea tridentata

By the Numbers

718

Members by EOY 2023

6,044 Free Day Attendees

7,052 Educational Program Attendees

113,734 Visitors in 20

$319,752 Dollars Raised!

Zilker Botanical Garden: A 3-Way Partnership

In 1964 the Garden opened to the public, as a result of dedication from the Austin Area Garden Council and collaboration with the City of Austin. The Zilker Botanical Garden Conservancy was formed in 2015 and has since established annual admissions, educational programming, and partnerships to support the garden.

The Conservancy partners with the City of Austin Parks & Recreation Department to manage Zilker Botanical Garden. The Conservancy is currently responsible for the operations of all guest services, programming, fundraising, and membership programs. The Parks & Rec. team manages horticulture, ongoing maintenance, and rentals. As the Conservancy increases its capacity, ZBGC will eventually take on rentals, maintenance, and horticulture with the long-term goal to preserve and evolve the Garden’s 28 acres. The AAGC continues to host many plant sales and garden club meetings, all open to the public. The 25 garden clubs of AAGC also provide additional educational garden-centered programming.

Zilker Botanical Garden Conservancy Impact Report

(Left) 1964 ribbon cutting with AAGC members and Austin Mayor. (Below) 2023 planning meeting onsite for ZBGC lead Butler Window restoration project.

PARKnership

The Zilker Botanical Garden Conservancy is working towards a Partnership A agreement with the City of Austin Parks & Recreation Department. Through Partnership A, ZBGC is strategically expanding it’s role in the thoughtful stewardship of this public asset.

What is PARTNERSHIP A?

Programming, Operations, and Maintenance partnerships -

Partnership A, otherwise known as Partner Operations and Management Agreement (POMA), is a document that outlines the roles, responsibilities, and rights of the owners and managers of a partnership. These partnerships successfully combine the assets of the public and private sectors in novel ways to create new and refurbished parks, greenbelts, trails, and other public assets in our community.

School Tours & Continuing Education

In 2023, the Zilker Botanical Garden Conservancy waived admission and programming costs for over 2,700 students and teachers from 45 Title 1 schools.

The Conservancy’s school programs engage students with hands-on experiences in the Garden covering topics from plant life cycles to plant identification. These inquiry-driven garden adventures follow the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills state guidelines, so teachers know that the topics discussed are in line with their own educational goals.

The Garden is proud to be a resource for the Austin Community, especially to students and educators. While nearly 90% of our student groups are Austin ISD affiliates, we also serve Del Valle ISD, Round Rock ISD, and Pflugerville ISD. On average, 45% of the students served are from Title 1 schools where 40% or more of the students in the school receive free or reduced lunch.

2,577

Guests participated in Docent-led Tours

Tours

4,221

Guests participated in Self-led Tours

Self-guided tours are offered to school groups and community members. In 2022, the Conservancy began developing downloadable lesson plans and activity guides like the ones shown, which are free to access at zilkergarden.org.

On the second Saturday of each month, Garden tours are offered to the public at 11 am. No advance registration is necessary!

Summer Internship

Each Summer, the Garden Club of Austin sponsors a horticultural intern in partnership with the Conservancy. The internship provides hands-on experience in horticulture and grounds maintenance at the Zilker Botanical Garden as well as program and event preparation to create a well-rounded public garden experience.

The 2023 summer intern created a Weed Guide for garden volunteers, designed a garden bed along the Trail of Passages, and collaborated with the Austin Herb Society to develop interpretive signage for the Herb Garden.

296.56

Intern hours recorded from May- August 2023

Community Impact | Programming

79 faerie homes built by the community

7 annual community programs offered to the public

4,320 community program attendees

485 wellness registrants

760 theater performance attendees

Increasing Art in Public Spaces

In 2022, Khristian Mendez Aguirre approached the Garden in search of a venue to offer bi-lingual theater accessible to the underserved Latinx community. His vision started with the production of Estado Vegetal/Vegetative State, a play by Chilean Playwright Manuela Infante (in collaboration with Teatro Espacio), a botanical drama about a community rocked by a calamity triggered by overgrown trees. The Conservancy warmly welcomed the idea and the show allowed over 300 guests to enjoy a donation-based, bi-lingual play in February 2023.

Fast-forward to December 2023 and Khristian named his own theater company, Teatro de la Tierra, which in all of its translations from Spanish means of the planet, of the dirt, of the soil, of the land, of the homeland. Teatro de la Tierra offered its second show, Beto, Beto el Abeto-a playful adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Fir Tree, tinted with memories of Nochebuena – Christmas Eve in Spanish-speaking, Latin American countries– and just the right amount of science. The project received support via funding from the City of Austin Economic Development Department through the Elevate Grant Program. Khristian is a theater artist/scholar, focusing on the relationship between environmental injustice and theater. B.A.: Human Ecology, College of the Atlantic; M.F.A.: Performance as Public Practice, UT Austin.

First Annual Dîner en Blanc

In November 2023, the Conservancy marked a milestone by hosting its first major fundraiser since 2019. The inaugural Dinner in White was a splendid occasion dedicated to celebrating the Garden's recent acquisition of a stunning cactus and succulent collection. Embracing a captivating High Desert theme, the event paid homage to the new collection. The event garnered attention from over 250 guests, creating a vibrant atmosphere that translated into a remarkable $62,000 raised toward the Conservancy’s mission.

Newly Acquired Cactus & Succulent Collection

The collection came to Zilker Botanical Garden Conservancy through a generous donation from the estate of Robert Hood Barth, Jr. PhD, and was accompanied by a generous donation to hire a curator to care for the collection through 2025. It was officially unveiled for the first time at Dîner en Blanc, and tours to see the collection will be available in 2024!

Robert Hood Barth, Jr. PhD passed away on September 26, 2022. Bob was a founding member of the Austin Cactus & Succulent Society, a long-time member of the Travis Audubon Society, and an assistant professor in the Department of Integrative Biology at the University of Texas until he retired in 2003.

Throughout his life, Bob curated an impressive collection of cacti and succulents from around the world, and the Conservancy is honored to continue his legacy through the stewardship and growth of his collection.

Meet The Garden’s Curator!

Jeff Pavlat has been working in horticulture for 18 years and is an expert on succulent flora. He is the VP of Education for the Austin Cactus and Succulent Society and serves as the Immediate Past President of the Cactus and Succulent Society of America. In 2015, he helped found the Conservancy and was Interim Executive Director from 2018 to 2020.

Jeff's journey with succulents traces back to a serendipitous encounter in 2004. Inspired by the succulents he had seen in California, he sought out Oracle Gorge, Bob Barth’s home nursery, and embarked on a journey that would shape his expertise. Bob's invitation to join the Austin Cactus & Succulent Society marked the beginning of Jeff's active involvement in the realm of succulent care and conservation.

In April of 2006, Jeff took on a pivotal role, assisting Bob with the nursery and the collection. This collaboration continued until Bob's passing in 2022, providing Jeff with invaluable insights into succulent plant care, propagation, and scientific classification. Jeff's commitment to succulent conservation extended beyond local societies, as he assumed leadership roles in the Austin Cactus and Succulent Society and the Cactus and Succulent Society of America. His term as President of the latter, from January 2019 to January 2023, emphasized active participation in conservation projects and public education on pressing conservation challenges. His involvement with the Austin Area Garden Center (AAGC) Horticulture Committee further exemplifies his dedication. Chairing the committee from 2016 to 2018, Jeff played a crucial role until responsibility shifted to the Conservancy. Jeff was a key contributor to the formation of the Conservancy throughout 2014, serving on the board from 2015 to 2023. His leadership as Interim Executive Director from January 2018 to July 2020 showcased his commitment to the organization's growth and mission.

What does a curator do exactly?

The ZGBC Garden Curator is responsible for the maintenance and development of the living collections at Zilker Botanical Garden. The curator is also responsible for periodic review and maintenance of garden design in the context of an overall plan. Though not currently on permanent public display, this botanical collection is brought to life during educational programs and exclusive tours. The Garden's visionary ambition includes the construction of a dedicated permanent facility to showcase this remarkable collection.

In the face of climate change, succulent habitats worldwide are under threat, becoming hotter and drier, challenging the very existence of these unique plants. Moreover, the surge in global succulent popularity has given rise to an illicit market, wreaking havoc on natural populations. Recognizing the urgency of ex situ conservation, Jeff endeavors to expand and elevate the conservation value of the succulent collection.

Butler Window Restoration Broke Ground in December 2023

The Butler Window Restoration Project stands as a significant milestone for the Conservancy, marking its first major Capital Project. The Butler Window is one of the most popular spots in the Garden, but intense usage has resulted in soil compaction that is leading to erosion on the hillside below. The project’s goal is to improve and stabilize the landscape around the window, while also enlarging the gathering space.

Because of its location on a slope, the project is challenging and therefore costly. When complete, the surrounding areas of the arch will be level and terraces will accentuate the window’s beautiful curved pink granite.

Over $127,000 has been raised to restore the Butler Window as of December 2023

SPECIAL THANKS TO PROJECT SUPPORT:

The support walls can serve as terrace separations or double as visitor seating. The investment to terrace the landscape, including a defined walking path, helps preserve the window by stabilizing the ground with the bonus of enhanced visitor interaction.

And the generous support of many community donors!

Community Impact: A story of healing in Zilker Botanical Gardens

“We’re going to need to emergency admit you to the hospital as you’re going into very pre-term labor,” Phylicia Teymer recalls her physician saying in the best possible bedside manner after her 24-week ultrasound in July 2021.

The rest of her physician’s words faded out as Phylicia, and her husband, Nathan, quickly tried to understand the implications and immediate next actions required. This was the beginning of the miraculous survival story of their baby boy, Ethan, born 4 months early at only 1 lb 11 oz, and a family’s love, doctors’ dedication, along with the nurturing emotional full-circle support of the Zilker Botanical Gardens (ZBG) grounds along their harrowing journey.

“I’ve always felt serenity and uplifted at ZBG and recall many moons ago walking the Japanese, Rose, and Butterfly Trail Gardens praying for the day I’d be able to bring our child to the gardens throughout seasons to enjoy admiring the cycles of life in nature,” recounts Teymer, who struggled with a long infertility journey and sought solace amongst Zilker Botanical early on.

After their traumatic birthing experience and throughout the distressing 5month Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) journey of survival filled with jagged highs and lows, Phylicia remembers how much she relied on the Zilker Botanical Garden and many outdoor locations around Austin, Leander, & Cedar Park to practice mindfulness and to focus on abundance while reducing stress and anxiety while also trying to gradually boost mood after daily NICU visits.

“I didn’t lose sight of the dream of being able to hold, stroll, or walk him through the gardens - even if it meant only in my heart. I even had our ‘mustsee’ spots that I couldn’t wait to show him, like the Dinosaur Sculpture in the Hartman Prehistoric Garden, the swimming Koi or the famous city skyline viewpoint from the Taniguchi Japanese Garden. All of this while trying to hold on to faith he’d survive,” says Teymer as she calls back the memories.

The Teymer Family dreams came true in late November 2021, as Ethan was officially released after 5 months of intensive care and meeting all the critical milestones – and Phylicia was beyond overjoyed with every fiber of her being to be able to hold, stroll, and eventually walk Ethan through her favorite spots in the Garden.

“The experience made me deeply realize how vital Zilker Botanical Gardens and other outdoor gardens, parks, and green spaces are to human and environmental sustainability. Whether someone is navigating grief, sadness, shame, anxiety, or happiness and joy, providing a space to find peace amongst the storms and sunny days of our lives is so vital. This led me to create Inner North Outer Experiences, LLC to help empower personal and professional leadership development, well-being, connection, and growth, for individuals and organizations, in partnership with nature, for the greater sustainability of humanity and our environment.”

Volunteer Highlight : Judith Craft

In August 2023, Judith Craft received the RecognizeGood Legend award for her selflessness in volunteerism at the Garden. The RecognizeGood Legends program highlights individuals who go above and beyond for others and is only awarded 9 times each year.

Judith has dedicated over 30 years of her time to volunteering at Zilker Botanical Garden and there isn’t anyone more worthy of the title "Legend." She has volunteered as a docent, horticulturalist, garden greeter, and board member and according to our education director (and probably everyone who has crossed her path) "she is and has been our best volunteer."

Along with the award, RecognizeGood Legends receive a $1,000 pay-it-forward donation in their name to the 501(c)3 of her choosing as well as a dedicated brick on Ladybird Trail as a lasting reminder of their inspiring service. The Zilker Botanical Garden Conservancy is extremely grateful to Judith for choosing us as the nonprofit recipient of this gift!

To top it all off, in January Judith received third place in the Say, Thanks Austin campaign where she received an additional $2,000 which she also donated to the Conservancy. A special thanks goes out everyone in the Austin community who voted for Judith in this campaign!

Our Volunteers’ Commitment to Zilker Botanical Garden

“I am a longterm member of AAGC and taking care of Zilker Botanical Garden is what we were created to do. A labor of love and commitment.“

“To Support Community Education & Engagement”

“I am majoring in Environmental Science and ZBG gives me the opportunity to be close to my interests.”

“I volunteer because gardening is healing and grounding to my mind and grounds me to the earth. (It’s the best part of my week, truly) increase joy for myself and others, contribution to community (garden club (Violet Crown) and overall Austin community), environmental stewardship and knowledge, Master Naturalist hours”

“For a better, stronger Austin!”

“I love the garden! And I love working in the gardens with the community and walking around teaching kids about plants.”

“I like to volunteer with organizations that share the same purpose and values that I do.”

“Get to meet new people and make visitors happier during their visit.”

“The Zilker Botanical Gardens is such a very special place to be! The many gardens, volunteers, and staff are so knowledgeable and welcoming that I tell everyone that it is "my happy place". As a retired Michigan elementary teacher, a Michigan Advanced Master Gardener, a miniature and fairy garden enthusiast, and a new resident of Austin it has been such a pleasure to use my teaching skills to share the history and plants of all the gardens at Zilker! I want guests of all ages to return again and again and call it their happy place too!❤”

“Would like to see ZBG as beautiful and well maintained so that we (local and tourists) can enjoy the garden. I feel good to participate in volunteering and being part of it. Thank you!!”

“I love being part of the community!”

Interested in getting involved? Register to volunteer on GivePulse via the QR code!

Thank You

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our members and donors whose generous support in 2023 made it possible for Zilker Botanical Garden Conservancy to thrive and continue our mission of preserving and enhancing this natural treasure for future generations to enjoy.

Not a Member, yet?

Memberships are available and grant unlimited access to the Garden and its programs for an entire year. Join our community for as low as $50 and enjoy reciprocal access to more than 300 botanic gardens and arboreta across North America through the American Horticultural Society’s Reciprocal Admissions Program.

Stay in the Know

Whether you’re a local Austinite or appreciate the Garden from afar, subscribe to the E-Newsletter at zilkergarden.org so you don’t miss a thing!

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