What Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden does

The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden is a Texas-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating a 66-acre botanical garden and environmental education campus on the shores of White Rock Lake at 8525 Garland Road, Dallas. The organization curates 18 distinct gardens, an 8-acre Rory Meyers Children's Adventure Garden designed as an outdoor "museum without walls," the historic DeGolyer Estate, and Trial Gardens that evaluate 1.4 million plants annually for the horticulture industry. Core services span destination garden visitation, TEKS-aligned K-12 STEM education (classroom labs, field trips, overnight programs, homeschool, scout badges, summer camps, afterschool and Garden on the Go outreach), programming for homeschool and adult learning, and specialty exhibitions such as the 2026 Hunt Slonem outdoor sculpture installation and Twilight Nights evening series.

The business model combines seven interlocking revenue streams: general-admission ticket sales (covering approximately 27% of annual operating costs), tiered annual memberships (Individual, Family, Sustaining, Patron), corporate sponsorships of flagship programs (Dallas Blooms, Autumn at the Arboretum, Holiday at the Arboretum, Cool Thursdays Concert Series, and education initiatives), private event and wedding rentals (700+ events annually), tax-deductible donations including Annual Fund, tributes, legacy/planned giving, capital gifts, and the Blooming Beds naming program, fee-based education programs ($12-$55 per student), and ticketed special events/concerts. Customer segments center on individual visitors and families, K-12 schools and educators (including Title I partnerships), corporate clients, wedding clients, youth and family education participants, and an affiliated Women's Council of ~650 members focused on A Woman's Garden. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via the dallasarboretum.org website, on-site gates, group-booking channels for schools and corporates, dedicated sponsorship sales, and volunteer recruitment through Volgistics.

Governance is led by CEO and President Sabina Carr with COO Amber Slayton and Chief Advancement Officer Christie Eckler, supported by a volunteer base of more than 4,000 contributing close to 100,000 service hours each year and an institutional sponsor network spanning financial services, energy, consumer, and B2B brands (Amegy Bank, Hilltop Securities, Bank of Texas/Bank of America, Reliant/NRG, International Paper, Ecolab, Junior League of Dallas, Sammons Enterprises, Central Market, HKS, ADP, Jackson Walker, and others). The organization published a 2025-2029 strategic plan and operates under Platinum-level Candid/GuideStar transparency. In 2026, it launched the districtwide Learning Voyages STEM field-trip program with Dallas ISD and Lyda Hill Philanthropies, reaching ~48,000 students (~35% of DISD).

Name

Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden

Legal name

Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden

Website

https://dallasarboretum.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating a 66-acre botanical garden on White Rock Lake in Dallas, serving over one million annual visitors with horticultural displays, K-12 STEM education programs, weddings and corporate rentals, and seasonal festivals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Botanical Gardens

NAICS

Zoos and Botanical Gardens (712130), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Zoos, Aquariums & Botanical Gardens (Educational Collections) (THAJADAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Parks, Gardens & Botanical Attractions (THAJACAH), Science Camps & Field Programs (Nature, Space, Marine, Geology) (EDAMABAB)

Keywords

• Botanical garden services
• Public garden management
• Environmental science education
• Event venue rentals
• Horticultural research

Headquarters

HQ city

Dallas

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: General admission tickets sold to visitors for access to the botanical garden and its various attractions including gardens, pavilions, and the Children's Adventure Garden. Ticket sales cover approximately 27% of annual operating costs.
2. Membership Subscriptions: Annual membership programs offering unlimited garden access, free parking, member-only events, and discounts. Multiple tiers include Individual, Family, Sustaining, and Patron levels with varying guest allowances and benefits.
3. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorships supporting specific programs and events including Dallas Blooms, Autumn at the Arboretum, Holiday at the Arboretum, Cool Thursdays Concert Series, and Children's Education programs. Benefits include media exposure, event recognition, advertising, and rental venues.
4. Venue Rentals and Private Events: Rental of venues for corporate events, social gatherings, and weddings. The facility accommodates events from intimate gatherings to functions hosting up to 500 attendees across multiple indoor and outdoor venues.
5. Donations and Philanthropy: Tax-deductible donations including Annual Fund gifts, tributes and honor gifts, legacy and planned giving, and capital gifts. Blooming Beds program offers naming opportunities in garden beds.
6. Education Programs: Revenue from summer camps, school field trips, classroom labs, homeschool programs, scout programs, and overnights. Programs range from $12-$55 per student with additional charges for adult chaperones.
7. Special Events and Exhibitions: Admission fees and ticket sales for special exhibitions like the Hunt Slonem sculpture displays, Twilight Nights evening events, concerts, chef dinners, and seasonal festivals.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Dallas Arboretum operates a 66-acre botanical garden on the shores of White Rock Lake in Dallas, Texas, offering general admission access to 18 unique gardens plus the Rory Meyers Children's Adventure Garden. It sells memberships, runs K-12 science education programs, hosts seasonal festivals and exhibitions, and rents venues for weddings and corporate events. Revenue is supplemented by donations and corporate sponsorships, with ticket sales covering only 27% of annual operating costs.

Product overview

The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden is a 66-acre world-class botanical garden and science education facility offering a portfolio of products and services centered around horticultural beauty, environmental education, and community engagement. Core offerings include major seasonal exhibitions (Hunt Slonem: Bunnies, Birds & Butterflies; Twilight Nights), the Rory Meyers Children's Adventure Garden with hands-on STEM activities, and comprehensive K-12 education programs including field trips, summer camps, homeschool classes, and professional development for educators. The organization also operates venue rental services for weddings and corporate events, membership programs, donation/sponsorship opportunities, and specialty events like Dog Days of Summer and the Cool Thursdays Concert Series. Educational products are TEKS-aligned for Texas schools, reaching over 100,000 school-age children annually.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• General Garden Admission

Quantifiable outcome

• Reaches more than 100,000 school-age children annually through science education programs
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

38 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Dallas Education FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFacilitated the Learning Voyages STEM field trip program partnership between Lyda Hill Philanthropies and Dallas ISD, enabling district-wide access to science and nature institutions for approximately 48,000 students.
• Dallas Independent School District (DISD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst large-scale off-campus initiative for the district in over a decade, bringing STEM field trips to approximately 48,000 students across the district's schools.
• Dallas Pets AliveminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner for Dog Days of Summer program, a member-exclusive summer event allowing dogs in the garden during early morning hours. Dallas Pets Alive is a local nonprofit focused on pet adoption and welfare.
• Amegy BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDallas Blooms presenting sponsor supporting the annual floral extravaganza featuring more than one million blooms.
• Hilltop SecuritiesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCool Thursdays Concert Series sponsor supporting the spring and fall concert series featuring national cover bands and local food trucks.
• Gray ReedminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor for the Cool Thursdays Concert Series supporting evening entertainment events at the lakeside venue.
• ADPminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor for the Cool Thursdays Concert Series.
• SHM ArchitectsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor for the Cool Thursdays Concert Series.
• Jackson WalkerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor for the Cool Thursdays Concert Series.
• Slalom (Bank of Texas)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor for the Cool Thursdays Concert Series.
• Bank of AmericaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor for Black Heritage Celebration and Hispanic Heritage Celebration programs supporting cultural programming at the Arboretum.
• International PaperminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEducation program sponsor supporting science education programs for at-risk schools reaching more than 100,000 school-age children annually.
• EcolabminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEducation program sponsor supporting childhood educational opportunities.
• Junior League of DallasminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEducation program sponsor supporting educational programming and community outreach.
• Sammons EnterprisesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEducation program sponsor.
• Central MarketminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEducation program sponsor.
• HKSminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEducation program sponsor.
• Reliant (NRG)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor for Autumn at the Arboretum featuring the nationally acclaimed Pumpkin Village with over 100,000 pumpkins and gourds.
• WFAAminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia sponsor for Dallas Blooms and Autumn at the Arboretum providing advertising and promotional support.
• AAA TexasminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor for Black Heritage Celebration supporting cultural programming.
• The LinksminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor for Black Heritage Celebration supporting cultural programming.
• Vaughn VennerbergminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor for Pride in Bloom celebration.
• Woodlake OutdoorminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor for Pride in Bloom celebration.
• 2nd2Nunn PhotographyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor for Pride in Bloom celebration.
• Carole BradenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor for Pride in Bloom celebration.
• Dallas Wings Community FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor for Pride in Bloom celebration.
• Gary Sanchez and Robert CortezminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor for Pride in Bloom celebration.
• Guaranteed HydromulchminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor for Pride in Bloom celebration.
• Land Systems IncminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor for Pride in Bloom celebration.
• Nan Faith Arnold and Linda WilandminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor for Pride in Bloom celebration.
• Tenet HealthcareminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor for Pride in Bloom celebration.
• Tom Phipps and Rick AishmanminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor for Pride in Bloom celebration.
• North Texas Cactus and Succulent SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity organization holding monthly meetings at the Dallas Arboretum on the first Tuesday of each month. Founded in 1974 to promote interest in and knowledge of cactus and succulent plants. Membership is $10 per year with visitors welcome.
• Dallas County Master GardenersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTexas A&M AgriLife Extension program providing free gardening advice to area residents. The Help Desk is available Monday-Friday 9:30am-3:30pm (214.904.3053) and via email with photo support.
• Women's Council of the Dallas ArboretumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganized in 1982 with approximately 650 members supporting the Dallas Arboretum through financial contributions and membership involvement. Since 1986, the major goal has been design, construction, funding, and endowment of A Woman's Garden, the only public garden in the nation conceived by women, funded by women, and dedicated to the spirit of women.
• Proof of the PuddingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCatering partner for special dining events such as the Five-Course Summer Supper chef dinner series featuring guest chefs.
• Dallas CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCulinary partner providing chefs for cooking demonstrations in the Garden Chef Series at A Tasteful Place tasting plaza.
• Various Local Restaurants and ChefsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity chefs and restaurants contributing recipes and cooking demonstrations for the Garden Chef Series and other culinary events including Kalachandji's, Pepper & Thyme, SpiceBAE, PecanaMilk, and LA Farm Girl.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Longwood Gardens: 1,100-acre premier horticultural display garden in Pennsylvania, nonprofit with memberships, ticketed exhibitions, concerts, and education. Comparable aspirational peer; larger scale but identical business model mechanics.
• Denver Botanic Gardens: 100-acre nonprofit botanical garden with extensive programming, exhibitions, and conservatories. Directly comparable in scale and operating structure to Dallas Arboretum.
• San Diego Botanic Garden: 37-acre nonprofit botanical garden with comparable education, events, and membership program structure. Closely matches Dallas Arboretum's mission and Sun Belt operating environment.
• Missouri Botanical Garden: St. Louis-based nonprofit botanical garden with comparable scale and programming, including world-leading plant research (matching Dallas Arboretum's Trial Gardens positioning). Direct peer in mission and operating structure.
• Chicago Botanic Garden: 385-acre public garden with major education programming, special exhibitions, weddings, and Trial Garden-style research. Operates as a close operating-model peer to Dallas Arboretum — nonprofit, multi-revenue-stream, education-heavy, large event venue.
• New York Botanical Garden: The largest botanical garden in the U.S., operating 250 acres in the Bronx with similar revenue mix of admissions, memberships, events, and education programming. Directly comparable to Dallas Arboretum in mission and operating model, differing primarily by scale, geography, and program breadth.
• Atlanta Botanical Garden: Warm-climate botanical garden with strong seasonal exhibitions (Chihuly, Garden Lights), membership-driven model, education programming, and weddings/event rentals. Closely comparable to Dallas Arboretum in scale and Sun Belt positioning.

Regional players

• Dallas Zoo: Adjacent Dallas-based nonprofit attraction with overlapping family/entertainment visitor base, education programming, and corporate sponsorship pool. Regional competitor for DFW family leisure dollars and education partnerships.
• San Antonio Botanical Garden: Texas botanical garden operating 38 acres, with similar Sun Belt climate, education programming, and ticketed events. Direct geographic competitor for Texas visitors and corporate sponsors, but smaller in scale.
• Houston Botanic Garden: Newer (opened 2020) Houston-based botanical garden with operating model and program mix directly comparable to Dallas Arboretum. Competes for same donor and corporate sponsor pool in Texas; smaller scale but newer facilities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/dallasarboretum
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/TheDallasArboretum
• Facebookfacebook.com/dallasarboretum
• Instagraminstagram.com/thedallasarboretum

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden