Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden

What Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden does

Klehm Arboretum and Botanic Garden is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arboretum operating a 155-acre property in Rockford, Illinois, in partnership with the Forest Preserves of Winnebago County. The organization was founded in 1989 as the Northern Illinois Botanical Society and renamed in 2004 after the Klehm family, whose historic plant collections dating to 1923 anchor the garden. It is accredited as a Level II Arboretum by ArbNet, and stewards curated tree collections, display gardens, and natural areas that serve as a regional destination for horticultural and recreational visitors.

The institution serves a broad public audience including families, members, school groups, professional photographers, and event attendees. Programming spans the traditional arboretum experience (tree collections, gardens, education) and newer family-oriented attractions such as the Spray Pad, Critter Creek, Natural Playground, and The Stumpery, alongside seasonal events such as Christmas at Klehm. Membership tiers (individual through corporate at $45-$80+ annually) provide access to reciprocal benefits through the American Horticultural Society's network of 360+ partner gardens.

Revenue is generated through a diversified mix of earned revenue and contributed support: admissions ($10-$12), memberships ($45-$80+), event ticket sales via online platform Simpletix (e.g., Christmas at Klehm at $15-$17), photography permits priced at $150 through Square Appointments, gift shop sales, venue rental partnerships (e.g., with Franchesco's Ristorante), and donations supplemented by corporate sponsorship from organizations including Project First Rate, LMCC, and First National Bank. The underlying technology stack is light, relying on consumer-grade SaaS for ticketing and scheduling rather than proprietary platforms.

Name

Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden

Legal name

Klehm Arboretum and Botanic Garden Inc.

Website

https://klehm.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Klehm Arboretum and Botanic Garden is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating a 155-acre accredited arboretum in Rockford, Illinois, in partnership with the Forest Preserves of Winnebago County, serving regional visitors through admissions, memberships, events, and recreational programming.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Botanical Gardens & Arboreta

NAICS

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

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Parks, Gardens & Botanical Attractions (THAJACAH)

Keywords

• Botanical garden operations
• Arboretum visitor services
• Nature education programs
• Event venue rental
• Garden membership programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Rockford

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, Others

Revenue model

1. General Admission: Daily admission fees charged to visitors for entry to the arboretum and botanic garden grounds, with tiered pricing for adults, seniors, students, and children.
2. Membership Program: Annual membership subscriptions offering free daily admission, early entry privileges, newsletter access, gift shop discounts, and program discounts. Four tiers: Individual ($55), Family ($80), Senior Individual ($45), Senior Family ($65).
3. Special Events: Ticketed events including Woodsong Summer Concert Series, Eerie Autumn Lights, and Christmas at Klehm market. Lawn-style concerts and evening Halloween illumination experiences with food/beverage vendors.
4. Gift Shop Sales: Retail sales of garden and nature-themed gifts, apparel, books, toys, games, and souvenirs at the Visitors Center.
5. Venue Rental: Garden Pavilion tented venue and landscaped patio rental for wedding receptions and corporate/social functions, managed by Franchesco's Ristorante.
6. Photography Permits: Professional photography permits for engagement sessions, family portraits, quinceañera, senior photos, and commercial purposes. $150 for two-hour sessions.
7. Donations and Planned Giving: Tax-deductible contributions including specific project donations, paver bricks, tree and bench dedications, and Burr Oak Endowment Fund through the Klehm Arboretum Foundation for long-term stewardship.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden operates a 155-acre public arboretum and botanical garden in Rockford, Illinois, offering themed specialty gardens, paved and wooded trails, seasonal ticketed events (concerts, holiday markets, Halloween illumination), an outdoor event venue for weddings and corporate functions, a gift shop, professional photography permits, and an annual membership program with reciprocal access to 360+ partner gardens across North America. The 501c3 non-profit manages the property in partnership with the Forest Preserves of Winnebago County.

Product overview

Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden is a 155-acre botanical garden in Rockford, Illinois operated as a 501c3 non-profit in partnership with the Forest Preserves of Winnebago County. The organization offers a diverse portfolio of experiences including: themed specialty gardens (Nancy Olson Children's Garden with Spray Pad and Critter Creek, Fountain Garden, The Stumpery, Dwarf Conifer Garden, Rhododendron & Azalea Dell, Prehistoric Garden, Demonstration Gardens, Perennial Pollinator Garden, Vi Bates Wildflower Garden, and Bioretention Basin); outdoor recreation trails (1.4-mile paved West Loop and 3 miles of unpaved wooded trails); event venues (Garden Pavilion, Fountain Garden); seasonal festivals (Woodsong Summer Concert Series, Eerie Autumn Lights, Christmas at Klehm); visitor services (Gift Shop, electric mobility scooter checkout); and membership programs. The organization is NOT a technology company and does not offer software products, APIs, or AI-powered services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Membership Programs Annual membership subscriptions in four tiers (Individual $55/year, Family $80/year, Senior Individual $45/year, Senior Family $65/year) providing free daily admission, early 8AM entry May-October, monthly Roots e-newsletter, 10% gift shop discount, discounts on classes/concerts/lectures, free Better Homes & Gardens magazine subscription (non-Senior tiers), and reciprocal admission to 360+ gardens across North America via the American Horticultural Society.
• General Admission Daily gate admission to the 155-acre arboretum and botanic garden grounds with tiered pricing: Adults $12, Seniors (62+) and Students (18+ with ID) $10, Children 4-18 $10, Under 3 free. Museums for All program offers $4 admission for SNAP EBT cardholders and up to 3 guests.
• Woodsong Summer Concert Series Lawn-style outdoor concert series held in the Fountain Garden featuring tribute bands (The Petty Kings, RESPECT! Aretha Franklin tribute, Dancing Queen ABBA salute). Members $12, Public $17.85. Tickets sold online only via Simpletix in 2026.
• Eerie Autumn Lights Family-friendly October evening event transforming Klehm into an immersive Halloween experience with 14,000+ feet of LED uplighting, themed displays, a 2,500 sq ft children's straw bale maze, Ghostly Market tent with food vendors, and special programs. Adults $14, Children under 12 $8. Thursdays-Sundays 5PM-9PM, October 1-25, 2026. No refunds; online tickets only.
• Christmas at Klehm Holiday market event hosting local vendors featuring vintage and holiday wares, presented in partnership with Meyer's Tails Up Farm. Tinsel Ticket $30, Friday General Admission $12, Saturday General Admission $10, Under 12 free. Friday 5PM-9PM, Saturday 10AM-4PM.
• Garden Pavilion Venue Rental Tented outdoor venue with landscaped patio managed by Franchesco's Ristorante, hosting wedding receptions as well as corporate and social functions. Wedding photography is included with the venue reservation.
• Photography Permits Professional photography permits for engagement, family portrait, quinceañera, senior photos, homecoming, prom, or commercial photography sessions. $150 flat fee for a two-hour session, booked online via Square Appointments. Includes admission for the photography party. Amateur photographers pay regular admission; weddings at Klehm do not need a separate permit.
• Gift Shop Retail space at the Visitors Center stocked with garden and nature-themed gifts, apparel, books, toys, games, and souvenirs. Members receive a 10% discount.
• Nancy Olson Children's Garden Children's garden offering imagination and nature through hands-on outdoor play, including the Spray Pad, Critter Creek water feature with child-operated water controls, sluice gates, and dam-building opportunities, Natural Playground climbing structures, wooden bridge, themed gardens, observation tower, and hidden bronze wildlife sculptures.

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

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Forest Preserves of Winnebago CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKlehm Arboretum operates and maintains the 155-acre property in partnership with the Forest Preserves of Winnebago County. The non-profit organization manages day-to-day operations while the Forest Preserves holds the property. This partnership has been in place since the property was donated in 1985.
• Franchesco's RistorantecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExpertly manages the Garden Pavilion venue at Klehm Arboretum. Franchesco's handles wedding receptions and corporate/social function bookings at the tented outdoor venue and landscaped patio.
• American Horticultural Society - Reciprocal Gardens ProgrammajorGTM or Marketing PartnerKlehm participates in the Reciprocal Gardens program offering members free or discounted admission to over 360 gardens throughout North America. This network drives visitor traffic and provides value to Klehm members when traveling.
• Project First RateminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for Eerie Autumn Lights 2026. Regional business supporting the Halloween event experience.
• Lombard Mason Contractors Corporation (LMCC)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for Eerie Autumn Lights 2026.
• First National Bank & TrustminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRockford's Biggest Pumpkin Sponsor for Eerie Autumn Lights 2026.
• WIFR (TV Station)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia sponsor for Eerie Autumn Lights 2026, providing promotional coverage for the event.
• Meyer's Tails Up FarmcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual Christmas at the Farm event relocated to Klehm Arboretum, bringing festive shopping event hosting several local and unique vendors featuring vintage and holiday wares.
• Vintage Goose CaféminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOn-site food and beverage vendor during Eerie Autumn Lights, offering themed non-alcoholic beverages and food items in the Ghostly Market tent.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/KlehmArboretum
• Instagraminstagram.com/klehm_arboretum_botanic_garden

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden