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