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Birmingham Botanical Gardens
2612 Lane Park Road
Birmingham, AL 35223
October 02 - Antiques at The Gardens: First Look PartyOctober 03 - Antiques at The Gardens: Heirlooms in Bloom 2008October 04 - Antiques at The Gardens: Heirlooms in Bloom 2008October 05 - 2008 Antiques at The Gardens: Heirlooms in BloomOctober 17 - Central South Native Plant Conference
May 3rd & 4th, 2008 - Glorious Gardens Tour
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I make a room reservation in the Garden Center?Q: How do I schedule a group tour of The Gardens?
Q: How do I become a member of Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens?
Q: How do I make a donation/tribute to Birmingham Botanical Gardens?
Q: How do I register for an Adult Class at Birmingham Botanical Gardens?
Q: How do I register for a Discovery Field Trip at Birmingham Botanical Gardens?
Q: How do I register my child for summer programs at Birmingham Botanical Gardens?
Q: What is the Vision of The Gardens?
Q: What are the goals of Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens?
Q: What is the relationship between the city of Birmingham and Friends of The Gardens?
Q: How are The Gardens funded?
Q: How are contributions to Birmingham Botanical Society used?
Q: What is the relationship between Birmingham Botanical Gardens and the partners or other related organizations?
Q: How do I make a room reservation in the Garden Center?
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A: Indoor and Outdoor space may be rented at The Gardens for meetings, events, weddings, receptions and parties. Please contact the Activities Coordinator at (205) 414-3900.
Q: How do I schedule a group tour of The Gardens?
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A: To schedule a docent led tour for your group, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator at (205) 414-3962.
Q: How do I become a member of Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens?
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A: To become a member click here for more information and to join online. For additional membership information call the Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens office at (205) 414-3950.
Q: How do I make a donation/tribute to Birmingham Botanical Gardens?
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A: To make a donation/tribute to The Gardens Donate Now. For questions regarding our various giving programs please contact our Development Office at (205)414-3955.
Q: How do I register for an Adult Class at Birmingham Botanical Gardens?
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A: To register for an upcoming class click here, or call Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens at (205) 414-3950.
Q: How do I register for a Discovery Field Trip at Birmingham Botanical Gardens?
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A: To register for a field trip, call the Education Department at (205) 414-3953 or apply online using our Registration Form.
Q: How do I register my child for summer programs at Birmingham Botanical Gardens?
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A: To register for summer programs click here, or come by our office at The Gardens to pick up the registration forms, or call (205) 414-3950.
Q: What is the Vision of The Gardens?
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A: To be one of the nation's preeminent botanical gardens.
Q: What are the goals of Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens?
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A: The Friends overall goals are to uphold and improve upon the reputation of BBG as an essential local and regional resource of cultural and educational importance and to broaden its reputation and influence in the national and international botanical garden and arboretum community. These goals will be achieved by continuing to:
- Generate public appreciation of The Gardens.
- Increase the interest and support of Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens.
- Provide funding for administration and programming.
- Encourage and facilitate volunteerism at The Gardens.
- Educate all visitors through adult and children's education programs, the library and interpretative information.
- Upgrade and sustain all facilities including the Garden Center, Conservatory, production, staff and service areas and The Gardens as a whole.
- Improve Visitors' Services to continually encourage enjoyment of The Gardens.
- Grow, maintain and preserve the collections of The Gardens, both living and non-living.
- Collaborate with The Gardens' partners, including the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, the city of Birmingham, affiliated Plant Societies, other Metropolitan Communities, attractions and groups.
Q: What is the relationship between the city of Birmingham and Friends of The Gardens?
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A: The city of Birmingham and Birmingham Botanical Society are committed to the continuing growth of The Gardens. This public/private partnership began in October of 1964, two years after the official opening of The Gardens. The city of Birmingham provides Birmingham Botanical Gardens with financial and operational commitments on an annual basis. Currently, The Gardens is part of the Birmingham Parks and Recreation Board under the auspices of the director of parks and recreation. Birmingham Botanical Society dba Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. The Friends is a member-based organization that supports and improves The Gardens. This entity was responsible for hiring an executive director in November 2001. The executive director links the city and Friends of The Gardens by working with both the Birmingham Parks and Recreation Board and the non-profit board of directors.
Q: How are The Gardens funded?
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A: The Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens (BBS) in partnership with the city of Birmingham supports Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Currently, the city provides approximately sixty percent of the operating budget with The Friends providing the remaining forty percent. General maintenance of the gardens, visitors' services and repairs to facilities and infrastructure are the city's responsibility. The Friends funds all programming, education (including Birmingham Botanical Gardens Library), the Gatehouse Gift Shop, and volunteer efforts. These funds are derived from a combination of sources including private donations and bequests, government grants, membership, corporate support, gift shop sales and fundraising events. Fundraisers include: Spring Plant Sale, Glorious Gardens, Antiques at The Gardens, Fall Plant Sale and Family Fun Day in The Gardens.
- City of Birmingham: $1,800,000+/-
- Birmingham Botanical Society: $1,700,000+/-
Operating Budget: 2006
Q: How are contributions to Birmingham Botanical Society used?
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A: Contributions to Birmingham Botanical Society dba Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens are used to promote public knowledge and appreciation of plants, gardens, and the environment. Unrestricted funds given to The Friends support a variety of programming at The Gardens including the library, volunteer programs and activities, membership benefits and education classes for children and adults. In addition, designated funds support specific projects per the wish of the donor.
Q: What is the relationship between Birmingham Botanical Gardens and the partners or other related organizations?
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A: The Gardens are in partnership with the Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens, the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Federated Garden Clubs, numerous plant societies, Jefferson County Library Cooperative, and Southern Progress, Inc. These partnerships assist The Gardens in several ways including plant acquisition and maintenance, growing plants for fundraisers such as Spring Fiesta, and providing expert consultation and maintenance recommendations. Extension, which is operated jointly by Auburn University and Alabama A&M, provides access to additional expertise, plant diagnostics and environmental concerns. It also broadens outreach and provides a resource to the public in a visible, convenient location in the Garden Center.