5 Things You Need to Know
We grow our community, enhance our region and celebrate our state:
- Admission is always free.
- Gardens open 365 days a year, dawn to dusk.
- Alabama's largest living museum.
- Only public horticultural library in the US; public computers; free wi-fi; open 7 days a week.
- Our special events generate excitement, captivate families and inform the public.
- We provide the most beautiful outdoor location in the city.
- Native plant collections celebrate Alabama's biodiversity, 5th highest in the US.
We nurture curiosity and expand knowledge:
- Educational and environmental mission inspires lifelong learners.
- Programs and workshops for children and adults (from amateur to professional).
- 98% of children attend free, hands-on, science curriculum-based programs (2011-12 academic year).
- Plant Information Center and Regional Horticulture Hotline managed by Alabama Cooperative Extension System experts and Master Gardeners.
- Beauty of plants and the art of the garden soothe, stimulate and inspire.
We engage diverse partners and collaborate widely:
- Birmingham City, Jefferson County and other local schools.
- Alabama A&M, UAB, Auburn, Jacksonville State and Samford Universities.
- Allied Groups: Interfaith Environmental Initiative of Alabama, Fresh Air Family, Slow Food and more.
- Relationships with Government of Japan, Sister and Friendship Cities.
- SE US native plant exploration and conservation programs with botanical institution partners.
- Support for international plant exploration in Brazil, Thailand, Viet Nam, China, India.
We promote health and provide hope:
- Plant Adventures programs offered free for people of all abilities.
- Food from Bruno Vegetable Garden feeds Birmingham's hungriest through Magic City Harvest.
- Miles of safe, serene paths and trails for walking and jogging.
- Contact with gardens and nature lowers heart rates and blood pressure.
- Programs promote sustainability and environmental stewardship.
- USDA plant conservation site.
We Impact Economic Development:
- Non-profit Arts and Cultural Institutions in Birmingham generate $136 million in local economic impact; add greatly to quality of life.1
- Gardening is the #1 hobby in America, generating $33.5 billion nationwide.2
- The "Green Industry" in Alabama generates over $2.9 billion in economic impact.2
1 Arts & Economic Prosperity III: The Economic Impact of Nonprofit Arts and Cultural Organizations and Their Audiences in Jefferson County, Alabama: 2009, Americans for the Arts
2 National Gardening Association: 2011
3 Alabama Nursery & Landscape, 2009
PLANTS ARE NOT AN OPTION; THEY ARE A NECESSITY.