What Fort Worth Botanic Garden does

Fort Worth Botanic Garden (FWBG) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating a 120-acre living museum in Fort Worth, Texas, comprising 23 specialty gardens with 2,500+ plant species on display. Founded in 1934 as Texas's oldest major botanic garden, the organization merged with the Botanical Research Institute of Texas (BRIT) on October 1, 2020, consolidating horticultural operations, scientific research, and education under a single nonprofit while the City of Fort Worth retains ownership of the land and most buildings. The 127-employee organization is led by President & CEO Patrick Newman with a deep executive bench spanning horticulture, research, learning, advancement, guest experience, and strategic communication.

The core offering is a diversified portfolio of experiences and assets: the public garden grounds (including the 7.5-acre Japanese Garden, the National Register-listed Rose Garden, the Rainforest Conservatory, the Texas Native Forest Boardwalk, and the Water Conservation Garden), BRIT's research infrastructure (a 1.5M-specimen herbarium, a 125,000-volume research library, a seed bank for plant conservation, and the BRIT Press publishing division), accessibility services (Beauty Bus shuttle, sensory kits, wheelchair and scooter rentals), and a calendar of rotating exhibitions such as the 2026 Nature POP! LEGO bricks exhibit.

FWBG generates revenue across admissions ($8-$15 unit-priced tiers), seven membership tiers ranging from $30 (SNAP/EBT/WIC Access) to $550 (Affiliate) annually, private event rentals across 30+ indoor and outdoor venues, photography passes, adult and children's education programs, three on-site gift shops, plant sales, and significant philanthropic and public-sector funding (including a $19M capital campaign for the Baker Martin Family Garden, member-access fall 2026, public March 2027). Distribution is omnichannel: direct via the TicketApp portal and in-person admissions, reciprocal admission through the American Horticulture Society's 380+ garden network, transit partnerships with Trinity Metro, library distribution via Fort Worth Public Library's MusePass, and nonprofit-distributed free passes.

Name

Fort Worth Botanic Garden

Legal name

Fort Worth Botanic Garden

Website

https://fwbg.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1934

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Botanical Garden and Living Museum

NAICS

Zoos and Botanical Gardens (71213), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (7121)

akta.pro primary industry

Parks, Gardens & Botanical Attractions (THAJACAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

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

Keywords

• Public garden operations
• Botanical research services
• Plant conservation science
• Environmental education programs
• Event venue rentals

Headquarters

HQ city

Fort Worth

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. General Admission Fees: Ticket sales for garden entry with tiered pricing for adults ($14-15), seniors ($12-13), and children 3-15 ($8-9). Income/online pricing varies. Last ticket sold 1 hour before closing.
2. Membership Subscriptions: Annual membership programs ranging from $30 Access level to $550 Affiliate level, providing year-round admission, early entry, member events, and discounts on classes and gift shops.
3. Private Event Rentals: Venue rentals for weddings and events across 16 indoor spaces and 14 outdoor areas including Japanese Garden Pavilion, Fuller Garden, BRIT Atrium, and various rooms. Food/beverage exclusively provided by Flora House caterer.
4. Pup Club Add-On: $35 annual add-on membership for dog owners to bring pets to designated Dog Days events.
5. Education Programs: Revenue from adult education classes, children's camps, school field trips, and homeschool programs with various pricing tiers.
6. Gift Shop Sales: Retail sales at Trellis Gift Shop, Treasure Tree Gift Shop (Japanese-themed items), and BRIT Gift Shop offering books, botanical gifts, and locally-made products.
7. Plant Sales: Seasonal plant sales featuring specialty plants including native perennials, annuals, trees, shrubs, and pollinator-friendly favorites.
8. Donations and Philanthropy: Tax-deductible donations through various giving programs including General Giving, Giving Circle, and corporate sponsorships supporting garden operations and expansion.
9. Photography Passes: $30 fee per two hours for portrait photography sessions plus general admission. Commercial photography $2,500 for eight hours.
10. Private Tours: $50 private tour fee per 8 guests plus general admission. Groups of 20+ receive $2 off admission per person.
11. Dining Services: Rock Springs Café offers bistro-style food and drinks. All food/beverage at private events must be purchased from exclusive caterer Flora House.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels14 records

Core offering

Fort Worth Botanic Garden operates a 120-acre living museum featuring 23 specialty gardens, a tropical conservatory, and a forest boardwalk, with general admission and seasonal exhibitions. It is merged with the Botanical Research Institute of Texas (BRIT), which conducts plant conservation research using a 1.5 million-specimen herbarium, a 125,000-volume research library, and a seed bank. The organization also runs educational programs for children and adults, hosts private events and weddings across 30+ venues, and operates on-site dining and retail outlets.

Product overview

Fort Worth Botanic Garden is a 120-acre living museum and scientific research institution offering a unified portfolio of physical attractions, educational programs, research facilities, and event venues. The core experience centers on 23 specialty gardens including the Japanese Garden, Rose Garden, Rainforest Conservatory, and Texas Native Forest Boardwalk. Adjacent to and integrated with the grounds is the Botanical Research Institute of Texas (BRIT), housing the Herbarium (1.5 million specimens), BRIT Library (125,000 volumes), and BRIT Press. The organization supplements garden admission with membership programs (Individual through Affiliate tiers), private event venue rentals (30+ spaces), docent-led tours, adult education classes, and children's programming (camps, field trips, homeschool). Accessibility services include the Beauty Bus shuttle, sensory kits, and wheelchair/scooter rentals. On-site dining and retail are available through Rock Springs Cafe, Flora House (catering), and three gift shops. Upcoming attractions include the Baker Martin Family Garden (member access Fall 2026, public March 2027).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• BRIT Press: The publishing division of BRIT that publishes books on botany and plant science
• Rock Springs Café
• Flora House

Products and services

• Fort Worth Botanic Garden Grounds Admission General admission to a 120-acre living museum featuring 23 specialty gardens including the Japanese Garden, Rose Garden, Rainforest Conservatory, and Native Texas Boardwalk; open 7 days a week.
• Annual Membership Programs Tiered annual memberships (Access $30, Individual $60, Dual $75, Family $95, Supporter $115, Patron $220, Affiliate $550) providing year-round admission, early entry, member events, discounts, and reciprocal admission to 380+ gardens via American Horticulture Society. Pup Club add-on available for $35.
• Private Events and Weddings

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,300+ pounds of organic produce donated annually to Union Gospel Mission from Backyard Vegetable Garden
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Flora House by Westland HospitalitycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive on-site caterer for all private events at Fort Worth Botanic Garden. All food & beverage, including alcohol, must be purchased and served by Flora House. Contact: Event Coordinator Paige Rodriguez at [email protected] or 817-740-8085.
• Terra Design StudioscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAward-winning landscape architecture firm selected to design the Baker Martin Family Garden. Terra Design Studios has created more than 25 celebrated family gardens in 12 states, bringing expertise in innovative, inclusive landscape design.
• Tarrant Regional Water District (TRWD)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the 30 Days for Nature challenge, providing practical daily steps to support local biodiversity and environmental health for Fort Worth community members.
• Bright Event RentalsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive tent rental partner for events in The Grove venue at Fort Worth Botanic Garden. Contact: www.bright.com or 972-602-3303.
• Calloway's NurseryminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRetail partner offering special discounts to FWBG members on plants, garden décor, and related products. Members show their card (digital or printed) for exclusive retail rewards.
• The Tree PlaceminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRetail partner offering special discounts to FWBG members on trees, plants, and garden products. Members show their card (digital or printed) for exclusive retail rewards.
• American Horticulture SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReciprocal admission program allowing FWBG members free or discounted entry to 380+ botanical gardens nationwide through the AHS Garden Network.
• Trinity MetrominorGTM or Marketing PartnerPublic transportation partnership offering 25% off Trinity Metro services with code FWBG26A. Riders receive $2 admission discount to FWBG. Bus route #53 stops near FWBG|BRIT entrance.
• Fort Worth Public LibraryminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMusePass program allows library users to check out free family passes for one week of free admission for two adults with children under 18 from the same household.
• Fort Worth Garden ClubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing community partner. The Fort Worth Garden Club funded $1.2MM renovation of the Rose Garden from 2012-2017 and contributes to various garden improvements and volunteer programs.
• City of Fort WorthcoreOthersLandowner of the Garden's land and most buildings. The City allocated $6 million for Baker Martin Family Garden infrastructure and $4.3M in public funds for capital projects. FWBG assumed management from the City on October 1, 2020.
• Fort Worth Cactus and Succulent Society (FWCSS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperative partner that recreated the Cactus Garden in 1995, bringing cactus specimens from different Texas counties to Fort Worth with specimens selected and planted by the society.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Longwood Gardens: Large public garden renowned for horticultural displays, ticketed events (including signature seasonal light shows), education programs and a robust membership base — directly comparable on admissions/events/memberships.
• Missouri Botanical Garden: Historic research-oriented botanical garden operating a major herbarium, library, and research division in parallel with public gardens and education — closely comparable to FWBG's BRIT-driven research-plus-public-garden model.
• Chicago Botanic Garden: One of the largest U.S. public botanic gardens with extensive research, education, and event programs. Comparable in scale of operations, science/conservation programming, and event revenue mix; benchmark for premium membership tiers and venue rentals.
• New York Botanical Garden: Premier U.S. botanical garden combining a large herbarium, graduate research, education, exhibition and event revenue. Best-in-class benchmark for research-driven public gardens and ticket/membership pricing.

Direct peers

• Houston Botanic Garden: Newer Texas-market public botanic garden with mixed admission/membership/event revenue model and ongoing capital expansion — useful peer for benchmarking Texas-region growth and donor dynamics.
• Denver Botanic Gardens: Large multi-site public garden with comparable climate-driven seasonal programming, education programs, and research collections. Useful peer for admissions/membership science and capital expansion benchmarking.
• San Antonio Botanical Garden: Texas-market botanical garden operating similar admission/membership/event venue programs with comparable size and climate constraints. Competes for statewide donor attention and benchmark status in Texas.
• Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden: The largest and most prominent botanical garden in the DFW metroplex (66 acres, top-tier U.S. garden). Operates with a comparable mix of admissions, memberships, seasonal events, and educational programs targeting the same North Texas regional population as FWBG.

Regional players

• Desert Botanical Garden: Specialty public garden operating on a similar admissions + events + membership model in a hot-climate market (Phoenix, AZ); comparable to FWBG on climate-driven programming constraints and arid-region plant collections.

Others

• United States Botanic Garden: Federal public botanic garden adjacent to the National Mall — useful comparator on the museum/conservatory side of the operation and on free-access funding/policy dynamics relevant to a city-tied institution.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/fwbotanicgarden
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@FWBG/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/FortWorthBotanicGarden
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fortworthbotanicgarden
• Instagraminstagram.com/fortworthbotanicgarden
• TikToktiktok.com/@fwbg_

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles20 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 Fort Worth Botanic Garden