Botanical Garden of the Ozarks

What Botanical Garden of the Ozarks does

The Botanical Garden of the Ozarks (legal name: Botanical Garden Society of the Ozarks) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public garden founded in 1994 and opened to the public in 2007, operating from a 42-acre campus on Lake Fayetteville in Fayetteville, Arkansas, under a minimum 100-year lease with the City of Fayetteville signed in 2003. The organization maintains 12 themed gardens across 8 cultivated acres, including the only public butterfly house in Arkansas, and serves approximately 70,000+ annual visitors through admissions, educational programming, and signature events.

The organization operates a diversified revenue model spanning seven streams: membership dues ($60-$120/year across Individual, Dual, and Family tiers with reciprocal benefits at 360+ partner gardens), admission fees ($14 adult/$7 child), event rentals (weddings at $4,500-$8,500, conference and event hall rentals at $75-$125/hour), donations and planned giving, professional photography permits, educational programs (field trips $2-$8/student, summer camp $275-$315, Little Sprouts preschool), and commemorative tribute items. Signature events including Firefly Fling Festival, Autumn Gala, Chefs in the Garden, and International Festival drive both attendance and fundraising, supported by grants from Walmart Foundation, Pat & Willard Walker Foundation, and individual major donors.

The garden is sustained by a 17-person staff across executive leadership (Executive Director Ashley Wardlow), horticulture and operations (Director Cesar Acosta), education (Director Molly Jones), and sales and events (Director Nina Estes), with operational support from a broader volunteer ecosystem that includes the University of Arkansas, Master Naturalists, and the Northwest Arkansas Beekeepers Association. A 2025 $220,000 gift from Nancy and William D. Koch is funding a new greenhouse and renovation of the Carl A. Totemeier Horticulture & Event Center, both scheduled for 2026 completion alongside a Butterfly House Renewal & Pollinator Education Initiative.

Name

Botanical Garden of the Ozarks

Legal name

Botanical Garden Society of the Ozarks

Website

https://bgozarks.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Botanical Garden of the Ozarks is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public garden in Fayetteville, Arkansas, operating 12 themed gardens and the state's only butterfly house across a 42-acre campus. It serves 70,000+ annual visitors through admissions, memberships, educational programs, event rentals, and donations from the Northwest Arkansas community.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Botanical Garden and Environmental Education

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYTHAJADAL

Zoos, Aquariums & Botanical Gardens (Educational Collections)

Travel & Hospitality/Tours, Attractions & Experiences/Museums, Galleries & Cultural Institutions

SECONDARYTHAJACAH

Parks, Gardens & Botanical Attractions

Travel & Hospitality/Tours, Attractions & Experiences/Attractions & Landmarks (Observation Decks, Monuments, Scenic Sites)

Keywords

• Public botanical garden
• Educational field trips
• Wedding venue rentals
• Membership program
• Signature garden events

Headquarters

HQ city

Fayetteville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership program with multiple tiers (Individual, Dual, Family) providing unlimited admission, reciprocal benefits at 360+ gardens, exclusive events, and discounts on programs and rentals.
2. Admission Fees: Per-visit admission charges for adults ($14) and children ages 4-17 ($7), with free admission for members and children 3 and under.
3. Donations and Gifts: Tax-deductible contributions from individuals, corporations, and foundations supporting garden operations, capital projects, and educational programs. Includes one-time, monthly, and planned giving options.
4. Event Rentals: Venue rentals for weddings, receptions, corporate events, meetings, conferences, and private parties. Includes Event Hall, Terraces, Great Lawn, and entire garden access.
5. Professional Photography Permits: Fees for professional and commercial photography sessions in the garden.
6. Educational Programs: Revenue from field trips, tours, Little Sprouts preschool program, summer camps, and Arkansas Gardening School workshops.
7. Tribute and Commemorative Items: Sales of commemorative bricks, benches, trees, and other tribute gifts for honoring loved ones.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Botanical Garden of the Ozarks operates a member-supported nonprofit public garden on a 42-acre campus in Fayetteville, Arkansas, featuring 12 themed gardens and Arkansas's only butterfly house. It sells daily admission, annual memberships, K-12 field trips and educational programming, wedding and corporate event venue rentals, professional photography permits, and signature seasonal events. Operations are sustained through admissions, memberships, donations, planned giving, and venue rental fees without taxpayer funding.

Product overview

The Botanical Garden of the Ozarks operates as a member-supported nonprofit public garden offering a diverse portfolio of educational programs, venue rentals, and signature events. Core offerings include general garden admission with access to 12 themed gardens and Arkansas's only butterfly house, complemented by educational programming such as Little Sprouts (ages 3-5), field trips for K-12 students, and Nature & Creativity Camp for ages 7-10. The organization generates revenue through multiple channels: venue rentals for weddings, receptions, and corporate events; signature events including Firefly Fling Festival, Autumn Gala, and Chefs in the Garden; membership programs with reciprocal benefits at 360+ gardens; and professional photography permits. Additional offerings include Arkansas Gardening School, yoga sessions, and planned giving options.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• General Admission Daytime admission to the 42-acre botanical garden featuring 12 themed gardens and Arkansas's only butterfly house, priced at $14 adult and $7 child ages 4-17. Open Friday through Wednesday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, with discounts for students, educators, military, and seniors 65+.
• Guided Tours Expert-led tours of the 12 themed gardens, including the Japanese Garden, Rose & Perennial Garden, Children's Garden, and Butterfly House, with self-guided ($14/person), guided ($16/person, 60 minutes, minimum 10 people), and private tour ($18/person, minimum 2, maximum 4 people) options. Reservations are required at least two weeks in advance.
• K-12 Field Trips Standards-aligned hands-on learning experiences for K-12 students, offered as self-guided ($2/student), guided ($3/student), station-based ($5/student), and specialized butterfly field trips ($8/student). Programs are designed for Northwest Arkansas school groups.
• Little Sprouts Nature-based program for children ages 3-5 featuring story time, songs, and nature-themed crafts and activities. Offered on Wednesdays in April, May, September, and October with session-based registration, sponsored by Pierce Firm, PLLC.
• Nature & Creativity Camp Summer camp for ages 7-10 (8:30-11:30 am) immersing campers in outdoor exploration and art creation inspired by butterflies, carnivorous plants, reptiles, mammals, and insects. Priced at $275 for members and $315 for non-members, with a $30 nonrefundable registration and material fee.
• Arkansas Gardening School Horticultural symposium for beginner home gardeners featuring expert-led programs by horticulturists, garden designers, and landscape architects with interactive talks and Q&A sessions.
• Signature Events Annual events including Firefly Fling Festival, Terrific Tuesday Nights, International Festival, Autumn Gala, Chefs in the Garden, Earth Day Celebration, Plant Sale, Bridal Open House, Winter Glow, and Yoga in the Garden. Ticket-based events drive membership, admissions, and community engagement.
• Wedding & Reception Venue Rental Wedding venue offering indoor and outdoor ceremony and reception spaces for gatherings of 10 to 300+ guests. Friday/Sunday $4,500; Saturday $5,500; Two-day package $8,500. Simple Garden Weddings and Elopements priced from $300 to $1,200.
• Private Event Rentals Venue rental for corporate events, baby showers, holiday parties, and birthday parties. Options include the entire garden, Event Hall & Terraces, or Conference Room rental with various capacities and hourly, half-day, and full-day rates, including a 15% nonprofit discount.
• Conference Room Rental Meeting space accommodating up to 15 people with hourly ($75/hour, 2-hour minimum), half-day ($275), and full-day ($475) pricing. Includes whiteboard, projector, WiFi, and complimentary parking, with a 15% nonprofit discount available.
• Photography Permits Professional photography sessions for engagement photos, family sessions, and portraits. BGO Members $75, Non-Members $95. Each 2-hour session includes garden access for one photographer plus up to five clients.
• Membership Program Annual membership with three tiers: Individual ($60/yr or $6/month), Dual ($90/yr or $9/month), and Family ($120/yr or $12/month), with discounted rates for students, educators, military, and seniors. Benefits include free unlimited daily admission, reciprocal admission at 360+ gardens and arboretums, members-only hours, and discounts on events and rentals.
• Donations & Planned Giving Tax-deductible giving options including one-time gifts, monthly giving, tribute gifts (commemorative bricks from $500, benches and trees from $5,000), and planned giving through bequests, beneficiary designations, IRA QCDs, and gifts of stock. Includes the Ozark Society major-donor giving levels from Bluestem $300+ to Azalea $3,000 annually.
• Butterfly House (Karen Rose Butterfly House & Edith M. Fletcher Pavilion) Arkansas's only butterfly house, home to native butterflies along with their host and nectar plants. The attraction is currently closed for the 2026 season during the Butterfly House Renewal & Pollinator Education Initiative.

Quantifiable outcome

• 70,000+ annual visitors across educational programs, events, and admissions
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Arvest Wealth ManagementcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for secure handling of planned gifts and estate planning. Helps steward planned giving contributions and ensure donor legacies are honored with care.
• University of ArkansascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCitizen science partnership to study butterfly behavior. Students and visitors collect data to help scientists address questions about animal behavior, diversity, and NWA pollinator community health.
• Northwest Arkansas Beekeepers AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDonated bees and two nucleus colonies (European Honeybees) to the garden in 2023. Members Ed Levi and Jay Davidson installed hives and provide ongoing maintenance.
• Northwest Arkansas Master NaturalistsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGroup dedicated to improving and managing natural areas maintains the Ozark Native Garden, contributing ongoing volunteer stewardship.
• Wild Birds UnlimitedminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal retailer partner offering membership discounts. Featured in Bird of the Month educational content and bird feeder education.
• Fayetteville Athletic ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvides yoga instructors for Saturday Yoga in the Garden program. Sponsors free non-member access to yoga sessions.
• Partner Business Discount NetworkminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMember discount partners including Dog Party USA, Nature Hills Nursery, Plant Addicts, White River Nursery, and Sacred Hollow Farms.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens: Pittsburgh-based public garden with themed displays, education programs, weddings, and a strong membership base. Directly comparable as a member-supported nonprofit offering classes, events, and gardens, though with a larger enclosed conservatory footprint.
• Cheekwood Estate & Gardens: Nashville-based public garden and historic estate offering themed gardens, weddings, signature events, and educational programming. Highly comparable as a member-supported nonprofit garden with a strong weddings/events revenue line and seasonal festivals.
• Tulsa Botanic Garden: Oklahoma public botanical garden operating themed gardens, children's programs, and special events on a comparable acreage. Similar member-supported nonprofit model with event rentals and education programs in an adjacent regional market to Northwest Arkansas.
• Garvan Woodland Gardens: University of Arkansas-affiliated botanical garden in Hot Springs, AR, offering themed gardens, events, and educational programming within the same state. Closest geographic and structural peer as an Arkansas public garden with university ties and visitor-facing programming.
• Huntsville Botanical Garden: Mid-sized member-supported public garden in Alabama with themed gardens, seasonal events, children's education, and wedding venues. Closely comparable scale, revenue mix (membership + admissions + events), and Southern U.S. regional market position.
• Myriad Botanical Gardens: Oklahoma City's downtown public botanical garden offering themed gardens, event rentals, education programs, and memberships on a similarly-sized urban footprint. Directly comparable as a mid-sized member-supported public garden with weddings, classes, and seasonal programming.

Broad incumbents

• Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park: Large Michigan-based public garden and sculpture park with extensive themed gardens, events, education, and a major wedding venue. Comparable product mix (gardens + events + education) but operates at significantly larger scale and budget than BGO.
• Missouri Botanical Garden: St. Louis-based historic botanical garden with themed gardens, education, events, and major research programs. Same core category (public member-supported garden) but operates at substantially larger scale, budget, and research footprint than BGO.
• Newfields (Indianapolis Museum of Art campus): Indianapolis cultural campus combining art museum with gardens, performance, and event rentals. Overlaps with BGO on event venue and garden programming but is a much larger, broader cultural institution with a museum anchor.

Others

• Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art: Bentonville, AR-based museum and trail system also serving the Northwest Arkansas cultural market. Not a direct competitor (art vs. gardens) but a regional peer in the same donor, visitor, and partnership ecosystem that shapes BGO's market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/BGOzarks
• Instagraminstagram.com/bgozarks
• Xx.com/bgozarks
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/botanical-garden-of-the-ozarks

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

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 Botanical Garden of the Ozarks