Botanical Garden Society Of The Ozarks Inc

Causes: Botanical Gardens & Arboreta, Environment

Mission: The Botanical Garden Society of the Ozarks incorporated as a non-profit in 1993 and is comprised of a 12 member Board of Directors, over 400 financially supportive members, an Advisory Council and over 100 active volunteers. The effort was initiated single-handedly by Donna Porter, a horticulture graduate of the University of Arkansas, who recognized a dire need for a botanical garden facility in Arkansas. In 1997, after 4 1/2 years of Ms. Porter lobbying the City Council and Parks & Recreation Board, the Society signed a 25 year renewable land lease agreement with the city for use of 100 acres of property for botanical garden development. The property comprises the entire south shore of Lake Fayetteville. In 1998, the Society hired its founder, Donna Porter, as their first Director. The Society has worked hard to build community support, which is essential for the success of this multi-million dollar facility. The garden will mainly serve and benefit the local Northwest Arkansas community, but will also attract curious visitors from all over. Throughout the years the Society has conducted numerous educational programs for children and adults, demonstrating to the public their overall emphasis of education. Introductory site projects have begun, utilizing all volunteer effort and have included the installation of a 12,000 sq. ft. wildflower planting, construction of a timber-frame maintenance building and continued maintenance of an existing nature trail. The Society is currently in its master planning stage, and has hired a top-notch architectural firm out of Seattle to develop this vital first planning instrument for the garden. The master plan will not only help guide the Society in the planning and construction of the garden, but will serve as a tool for fundraising. Capturing and sharing creativity and knowledge is a goal of the master plan for The botanical Garden of the Ozarks- a garden that will enhance and embrace this new millennium.