Huntsville Botanical Garden
ANNUAL REPORT
For Fiscal Year October 1, 2017 - September 30, 2018
As we close the 2017-2018 year, let’s celebrate the 30th anniversary, one last time and reflect on what has been accomplished in this relatively short period of time. The Board of Directors and Garden staff have had the privilege to hear from those early believers in the Garden, some of our Legacy members, and to really gain a perspective about the road to opening day on May 21, 1988. The Garden Guild, the Galaxy crew, and the scores of volunteers, shared stories, pictures and pride. The anniversary was marked by street dances, 30 painted rocking chairs, and more than 30 reasons to join as a member. What a transition it has been from five gardens tended by societies to the explosion of plant collections, programs, and center of so much community activity. We have benefitted immensely as a participating member in the American Public Garden Association, which connects us to a world of institutions with similar goals and mission. One of our true highlights this year was hosting a symposium for COOs and CFOs across the country. Kathy Gilder, our COO, led our team in this initiative and did so brilliantly. It pushed us to absolutely prepare the garden physically and strategically in order to best showcase our growth. Melissa Riley, our Vice President of Guest Experience, insured that we demonstrated our DEEDS approach to customer service by providing an exceptional experience for these special guests. With much pride, our Garden was shown in the best light possible and our team, board, and volunteers had the opportunity to tell our story as well as learn from others’. Together we continue to challenge ourselves and do better each and every day as we work tirelessly to best serve our community. Board objectives this year were many, and included an outreach to further engage the underserved community in our programs, doing so with many meaningful initiatives. Another key objective was to revisit the phrasing of our mission statement. It was done so thoughtfully and clearly…
We inspire our community to Sow, Grow, and Discover.
No Garden ever really quits growing, as with your Huntsville Botanical Garden. Thank you for your support as you have moved us into our fourth decade of service. Your continued generosity has enabled us to be a meaningful part of your lives and the lives of others and we remain so very grateful. - Paula Steigerwald HBG OFFICERS & DIREC TORS Paula Steigerwald Kathy Gilder Melissa Riley Annette Alexander Johnny Giles Cindy Hallman Amy Moore Donna Parsons Thayer Phillips Niki Sothers
President and Chief Executive Officer Chief Operating Officer Vice-President of Guest Experience Director of Development Director of Human Resources Director of Facility Rental Director of Finance Director of Guest Services Director of Operational Services Director of Horticulture
Since 1988, the Huntsville Botanical Garden has devoted itself to inspiring and educating the community through year-round botanical displays, strong educational programs, and specialized research. It has actively encouraged citizens to explore their connections to the natural world, as well as served as a model of conservation and sustainable living. As a result, the Garden has grown to become one of the top tourist attractions in the southeast, captivating visitors from all over the world with its stunning gardens and facilities, and an array of events, programs, and exhibits for all ages. This year the Garden celebrated its 30th birthday. This milestone presented an opportunity to reflect and recommit to our role as the community’s garden. With this in mind, we have adopted a new mission statement that reflects our focus on inspiring our community to sow, grow, and discover. Our foundation is the greater Huntsville community – our members, volunteers, donors, and sponsors. Our volunteers sow their time; our donors and sponsors, their investments. Local individuals and families sow their support through membership. Of course, plant collections are grown at the Garden, but knowledge grows here too! We present a variety of education programs throughout the year, from field trips and day camps to adult professional development courses. We provide a special setting for marriages to begin and families to grow. Our facilities also offer space for our industry and community partners to grow and develop through workshops and retreats. Our beautifully maintained 112 acres inspire visitors to discover the natural world. Popular seasonal events – Beaks & Barks, Huntsville Blooms, the Purdy Butterfly House, the Scarecrow Trail, and Galaxy of Lights – keep our members engaged year-round. And our spectacular rotating exhibits and festivals invite guests from around the world to discover art, music, and different cultures and traditions. FINANCE Operating Results: October 2017 - September 2018*
FY 17
Public Support 222,300 Advancement 727,937 Education 144,988 Membership 621,626 Events & Rentals 959,984 Admissions 925,888 Gift Shop 366,990 Total Operating Revenue 4,031,084 Operating Expenses 1,198,853 Wages & Benefits 2,159,727 Communications 114,389 Building/Site Expenses 462,193 Other Admin 81,818 Capital Expenses 7,998 Total Operating Expenses 4,024,978
FY 18
% OF RE VENUE
223,000 814,938 152,874 691,971 1,437,747 956,191 451,892 4,728,614
4.7% 17.2% 3.2% 14.6% 30.4% 20.2% 9.6%
1,301,677 2,645,728 123,836 603,645 105,661 16,317 4,796,864
27.5% 56.0% 2.6% 12.8% 2.2% 0.3%
* Pre-Audit Operating Budget only (does not reflect restricted funds/capital campaign).
MEMBERSHIP
EDUC ATION
9,000 6,750
7,354
7,814
7,500
2014
2015
2016
8,701
8,950
2017
2018
4,500 2,250
VOLUNTEERS “A smile on my face, a lightness to my steps, busy hands, an awesome staff, meeting and greeting visitors from near and far, these are some of the reasons that I enjoy my volunteer time at the Botanical Garden.” -Reneé Kump 2018 Volunteers of the Year: Bob and Sandy Hovde 2018 Volunteer Hours 3,536 individuals; 52,573.25 hours $1,269,118.26 payroll value ($24.15 per hour) Spring/Fall Plant Sales: 840 volunteers; 4,808 hours Galaxy of Lights: 1,752 volunteers; 7,134 hours HORTICULTURE The Horticulture Department adopted a Living Collections Management Policy in 2018 that will showcase plants native to north Alabama and similar regions around the world. These diverse collections, ranging from desert to tropical plants, will emphasize the use of the right plants in the right place, educating the public about horticulture in the humid subtropical climate of our region.
"It has been a pleasure to know that my son is having a positive and stimulating education in a safe and secure setting at the Garden which complements our homeschool schedule.” -Tiffany Flournoy, Homeschool Programs Field Trips: 8,298 Students 2,129 Adult Chaperones 836 Teachers 22% of the students (1,790) came from Title 1 schools either for free or eligible for a reduced rate. Children’s Camps and Classes: 2,139 children participated this year (up from the 1679 from last year) Adult Education: 2,301 adults participated Conservation: The Conservation Committee began meeting in June 2018 to help support the conservation efforts on site at the Garden and out in the community. COMMUNIT Y IMPAC T The Garden also hosted 3 Give Back Days in 2018. We invite our visitors to make a donation of an item for these non-profit organizations in exchange for admission to the Garden. This year we partnered with Girls, Inc., Manna House, and the Diaper Bank of the Food Bank of North Alabama.
HBG's education department has been a major stakeholder in the development and execution of a gardening program at Morris P-8 (our next door neighbor), where students in fifth grade are learning how to grow edibles and plants In 2018 the Horticulture Department also for pollinators. Huntsville City Schools has developed an improved Invasive Species Policy that also invited HBG to partner in their Native is integrated into our plant collections management American Indian Education program and the practices and targets locally problematic nonfirst opportunity to meet was this past November. native species. Each October the education department supports our local United Way in their Read for the FACILIT Y RENTAL Record early literacy intervention project which “[Dale Slayton] did a fantastic job of coordinating encourages people across the united States to read our requirements! She thought of everything, the same book on the same day to pre-school and most of which we had not considered. I kindergarten students. Garden staff visited Morris cannot thank her enough for the thoughtful P-8 to read aloud. Our Horticulture team partners recommendations that she gave us and for the with James Clemens and Huntsville High School constant communications to ensure our needs were Special Needs programs to have volunteer days being met.” which help to teach task completion. 157 Business Meetings 22 Club Meetings 99 Weddings/Receptions 114 Parties/Luncheons
30 Picnic/Pavilion Events 3 Memorial Services 38 Photo Shoots
AT TENDANCE The Garden welcomed 353,841 visitors this past fiscal year making us the 3rd largest attraction* for the 2nd year in a row. “Attractions that charge admission
QUICK FAC TS Year Opened: 1988 Acreage: 112 Board Size: 25
Attendance: 353,841 Memberships: 8,950 Full-time Staff: 54
This year we also partnered with the Madison County Public Library to provide Garden passes that people from the community can check out to be able to visit the Garden. This was promoted more in the underserved communities. 93 passes were checked out since the program began in June. For Galaxy of Lights this past season, we were able to provide access to over 1200 families from students from Title 1 schools to Galaxy of Lights. We also were able to partner with the Downtown Rescue Mission to allow their residents to come through Galaxy of Lights on buses provided by the city of Huntsville.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Penny Billings, Chairman John Allen David Bier Gary Bolton Janet Brown Lynn Carden Lynn Collyar Leta DeMaioribus Kyle Findlay Mary Griffith David Harbarger Warne Heath Tricia Heyward Tharon Honeycutt Kim Lewis Terry Lewis Beth Richardson Lana Ritch Reba Rogers Charlie Sealy Beth Sippel Jan Smith Kathi Tew Carol Tevepaugh Frank Williams
ADVISORY BOARD Joe Bergantz, Chairman Heather Baker Carla Bossard Dr. Marvin Carroll Cynthia Crutchfield Lee Holland Hank Isenberg Paula Lecher Eric Mills Bill Phillips Lindsey Rice Chris Robinson Jeff Showalter Brandy Brannon Smith Portia Waite Stephanie Waddell Beverly Weiner
FOUNDATION BOARD Beth Wise, Chairman Phylis Baron Bobby Bradley David Lucas Roy Nichols John Purdy Emily Robertson Linda Smith Bill Snoddy John Stallworth Jay Stowe Al Sullivan Middie Thompson Pamela Barratt White John Wynn
Non-Profit Org US Postage PAID Permit No. 110 Huntsville, AL
4747 Bob Wallace Avenue • Huntsville, Alabama 35805 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
L’ESPALIER Major Donor Society of the Huntsville-Madison County Botanical Garden
L’Espalier - A trellis or other framework on which a tree or shrub is trained to grow. L’espalier is a French word derived from the Italian “spalliera” which means something to rest the shoulder (spalla) against; a support. The purpose of the Society is to honor and recognize the individuals and organizations whose outstanding and cumulative giving provides the framework on which our Garden grows.
Designation is based on giving through fiscal year-end, September 30, 2018. La Foret (Forest) $500,000 & OVER
CUMULATIVE LIFETIME GIVING
Alpha Foundation, Inc. Bob and Phylis Baron City of Huntsville Jerry and Butch Damson The Garden Guild Huntsville Botanical Garden Foundation Roy and Sue Nichols Bill and Eloise Propst John and Tine Purdy Steve and Emily Robertson Mark C. and Linda J. Smith
L’Arbre (Tree)
$100,000 - $499,999
CUMULATIVE LIFETIME GIVING
ADTRAN, Inc. The Boeing Company Bobby A. Bradley and Charley S. Burruss Vernon and Dean Bush Crestwood Medical Center Damson Automotive The Daniel Foundation of Alabama Julian and Dorothy Davidson Dynetics,Inc. Betty R. Grisham Harbarger Landscape Design Mr. and Mrs. James D. Hays Hexagon/Intergraph John and Teri Holly Arnold Hornbuckle The Huntsville Times John and Ruth Jurenko Kresge Foundation Laughlin Service Funeral Home and Crematory Herbert and Terry Lewis The Jane K. Lowe Charitable Foundation Madison County Commission Lonnie and Helen McMillian Robert and Mary Lou McNabb Redstone Federal Credit Union Regions Bank James and Pam Rogers Janice Smith Bill and Jeanie Snoddy Loretta Spencer Bill Stender Teledyne Brown Engineering Toyota Motor Manufacturing of Alabama Pamela Barratt White Carol Williamson
La Fleur (Flower) $50,000 - $99,999
CUMULATIVE LIFETIME GIVING
AEgis Technologies Rey and Cynthia Almodovar AT&T Marc and Sheryl Bendickson City of Madison COLSA Corporation Combined Federal Campaign Daylily Garden Volunteers Michael and Leta DeMaioribus Digium
Thornton and Sue Fleming Paul and Rhonda Gierow Jack and Harvilee Harbarger Frank and Patsy Haws Steve and Andrea Hill Harold and Brenda Holmes Huntsville Herb Society Huntsville-Madison County Builders Association The Olin B. King Foundation L3, Huntsville Operations James and Patricia Lindberg Lockheed Martin Corporation Peter and Jean Loux Madison County Legislative Office Master Gardeners of North Alabama McDonnell-Douglas Corp. Lucy Mize NASA Bill and Josie O’Meara The Orthopaedic Center The Propst Foundation SAIC Calame and Dianne Sammons Bill and Donna Shergy Stanley Smith Horticultural Trust Al and Kathy Sullivan Synovus Jean Wessel Templeton Tennessee Valley Authority Bernhard and Ilse Tessmann Vertiv Co. Wells Fargo Bank John B. Winch Window World
La Branche (Branch) $25,000 - $49,999
CUMULATIVE LIFETIME GIVING
4Site, Inc. Alabama Bureau of Tourism & Travel Charles and Sarah Allen AmSouth Bank BB&T Bank BBVA Compass Bank BDM Federal, Inc. Belk, Inc. Bennett Nurseries Philip and Betty Bentley Botanical Garden Iris Society Buffalo Rock Company/Pepsi Cola CALIBRE Mike and Lynn Carden Center for Sight, PC Cepeda Systems & Software Analysis Chick-fil-A Robert and Carol Churchill Ron and Alice Clements DaimlerChrysler Jerry and Edna Deener DESE Research, Inc. Philip and Kathleen Dotts Lu Downey Dunagan Yates & Alison Cosmetic Surgery Center Estate of Margaret P. Peabody Fountain Parker Harbarger & Associates, Inc. Gothic Guild
Jim and Mary Griffith Thomas and Susan Griffith Thomas and Dale Griggs Walt and Marilyn Grundy William and Kathy Gurley Jean Hairston Robert and Shirley Hale Jack and Harvilee Harbarger John and Kimberly Hartley Huntsville Fern Society Huntsville Twickenham Rose Society IBM Jacobs Technology, Inc. Harvie and Marilyn Jones Ray and Libby Jones Steve and Cheryl Kennamer Byrd and Rosemary Latham Jack and Jean Lee LMI Peter and Betsy Lowe Bob and Cindi Ludwig Mercedes-Benz of Huntsville Everett and Dev Mosley John Mullins Loch and Freya Neely Jay and Linda Newkirk Nichols Research Corporation The North Alabama Daylily Society OASYS, Inc. Charles and Marcia Overstreet Raytheon Red Wing Shoe Store Joe and Lana Ritch Rootmaker Products Company Russ Russell Commercial Real Estate Warren Schoenknecht Marshall and Lucinda Schreeder SCI Systems Science and Engineering Services, LLC Servis1st Bank Larry and Rebecca Smith Richard G. Smith Tim and Paula Steigerwald Jim and Carol Tevepaugh Bridgett Thornton Richard and Brenda Titus Turner Construction United Launch Alliance Venturi, Inc. Wal-Mart Kevin and Lori Webber Louis and Beverly Weiner Wild Birds Unlimited Wildflower Society and Friends Woody Anderson Ford WOW
La Tronc (Trunk) $10,000 - $24,999
GIVEN IN THE LAST 10 YEARS
Accurate Machine and Tool Corporation AECOM Aerojet Rocketdyne Aetos Systems, Inc. Alabama Climate Control Alabama Strong Allied Waste Services James and Mary Lib Apple Aviagen, Inc.
Avion Solutions, Inc. Eleanor S. Baker BancorpSouth, Inc. Bankston Motor Homes, Inc. Joseph and Helen Bergantz Berry Land Company, LLC Jay and Penny Billings Fred and Jo Ann Braam Jim and Terry Bradford Bradley Canvas, Inc. Sandra and Martha Cepeda Champion Windows of Huntsville Cimarron Composites Wes and Frances Clayton Lynn Collyar and Sarah Green Community Ballet Association, Inc. Claudia Conn Philip and Alison Crosby Mark and Cynthia Curran Roy and Sue Day Doris Burwell Foundation Edwards Design & Fabrication ERC, Inc. Estate of Nell Bragg First Bank Mortgage Partners Larry Fulton and Debra Wymer Happy Tails Ranch George and Peg Heeschen Barney and Patricia Heyward HighTower Twickenham Bob and Sandy Hovde Huntsville Utilities Huntsville-Madison County Airport Authority InfoPro Corporation Inline Electric Supply Company, Inc. Intrepid Intuitive Research & Technology Corporation Robert and Margaret Jackson Johnson Controls, Inc. Joseph B. Jones Andrew and Sarah Lauren Kattos Keel Point Fred and Alice Lanier Lanier Ford Jeffrey Lawrence and Karen Wu LG Electronics Robert and Julie Lockwood LogiCore Corporation David and Michele Lucas Nick and Irene Mangus Matheny Goldmon Architects + Interiors Dene Matthews Patrick and Imogene McCauley McCurdy Animal Hospital Walter and Roxanne Melton Michael and Jana Moody Judi M. Moon Michael and Elizabeth Morard Al and Lorraine Mullin Mike Murdock and Anne Tinker National Technical Systems, Inc. John and Martha Nelson Network Services and Support, Inc. Christy Nickelson nLogic, LLC Orbital ATL Flight Systems Group
Jerre and Jean Penney Dottye and Thom Pierce J. N. Pritzker Rain Bird Corporation Redstone Village Remington Outdoor Company Renasant Bank RockWood Studios, LLC S3, Inc. Salon Allure Samples Properties Sara Baker Foundation Inc. Sigmatech, Inc. Spine & Neuro Center John and Flo Stallworth Jay and Elaine Stowe Ken and Ann Tippie Anthony Toney, DMD, PC Jack and Irma Tuder Shannon and Peggy Turney Richard and Nancy Van Valeknburgh Van Valkenburgh & Wilkinson Realtors Frank VanLandingham Mack and Margaret Vann Cary Walker WaveLink, Inc. Weichert Realtors – The Space Place Robert and Marilyn Whiteford Willbrook Solutions, Inc. Stanford and Cathy Wilson Wendy Wilson and Curt Benzle Wiregrass Construction Company, Inc. Samuel and Angie Yeager Keith and Stephanie Young Yulista Management, Inc. Yulista Technical Services
La Racine (Root) $5,000 - $9,999
GIVEN IN THE LAST 5 YEARS
Alabama Colon & Gastro PC Alabama State Council on the Arts Anne Cary Walker Charitable Trust Sudha and Anusha Alapati Jason Banks and April Ray David and Jennifer Bier Bill Penney Toyota Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Alabama The Broadway Group Brockwell Technologies, Inc. Brodowski, McCurry & Maynor LLC David and Janet Brown C. H. and Kathy Chan Clearview Cancer Institute Beverly Cordrey Dental Professionals on Whitesburg Edward Jones Edward Jones – Andy Johnson Conway and Carole Anne Ellers Kyle and Lucinda Findlay Mollie and Bradley Garland Gigaparts, Inc. Graham & Company Tim and Lois Grey John and Rajean Gully
Patricia Hair Claude and Karis Harbarger David and Amy Harbarger Mark and Anne Harbarger Frank and Rebecca Hayes Huntsville Hospital George and Margaret Jones Richard and Joan Jones Charles and Melanie Kettle David and Melanie Langford Madison Dermatology H. Wayne and Ann McDonald Meyer and Lee Fine Jewelry Vardhani Murty Nesin Therapy Services, P.C. New York Life Northrop Grumman Corporation Anthony and Gail Orme Bennett Perritt Brian and Kelli Pollock Progress Bank Project XYZ Ken Rivenbark RJYoung Charles and Ellen Robinson Sentar, Inc. David and Beth Sippel Stender Foundation Harold and Julie Stephens Jennifer Stephens Susan Stokes Summit Aviation, Inc. Norm and Kathi Tew Thompson Gray, Inc. George Thurlow Trustmark Wealth Management Vulcan Materials Company Kathleen Waite Warren Averett Companies Jonathan and Karen Whitcomb Sue Whitehead Wilson Garage Door Company of Huntsville, Inc.
La Graine (Seed) $1,000 - $4,999
GIVEN IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
a.i. Solutions ADS Security Aero Thermo Technology, Inc. Alexander’s Martial Arts All Needz Rental Center Inc. Jessica and Philip Alldredge Steve and Susan Arnold AVISTA Strategies, Inc. Paul and Celeste Bogosian Bridgeworth Financial Harold and Ann Carey Carpet One Mark and Kathryn Clatterbaugh Clay and Yuri Craig Craig Comfort Control Terry and Kathy Dillard Eager Beaver Mulch & Sawmill Earl and Kay Eastin Marty Eaton Environmental Systems Corporation Ewing Irrigation and Landscape Supply Frank and Carolyn Faraci Yvette Faught Tim and Barbara Fisk Five Stones Research Corporation
Dora Forden Carole Foret and Bill Hunt Wilma Frazier Rod and Michelle Gantt Steve and Kathy Gilder John and Patti Gipson Bill and Elise Goodson Ron and Cindy Gray William and Sara Green Jeff and Nancy Haars Hill Technical Solutions, Inc. Lee and Natalie Holland Loewen Windows of Huntsville Tharon and Tammy Honeycutt Doug and Kristen Hooks Andrew and Abbiegail Hugine I3, Inc. iBERIABANK Image in a Box IronMountain Solutions Jesse Stutts, Inc. Kelsey Electric Motor Service Claude and Marta Kinzer Sandy and Melissa Kirkindall Learning Express Toys of Huntsville Doug and Natalie Litavec Rick and Eleanor Loring Ila Mitchum MTS George Murphree Russell Ormstedt Barbara Paul and Tom Hickerson Albert and Sharon Patterson PeopleTec, Inc. Bill and Marilyn Phillips Piedmont Garden Club Clint Plant The Putt Group RE/Max Unlimited P. W. and Becky Quinn Radiance Technologies, Inc. Bob and Janet Reville James and Dianne Reynolds Rodney and Beth Richardson Salon Ka-Terra Charles and Patricia Schafer Ralph Schuler Charlie and Sasha Sealy Siniard, Timberlake & League, PC Rosalie Smith Randy and Julie Sands The Solid Waste Disposal Authority Southern States Bank Linda Spalla Bill and Susan Sullins Summit 7 Systems Table in the Garden Tom Jeffreys Signs Topgolf Wells & Tate Electric Company Patricia Wertz Elisabeth Whitten Christine Wicks, Keller Williams Realty Jeff and Faye Wishik Jim and Kim Wright