Dear Members of Mobile Botanical Gardens,
In our 51st year, as we begin our ‘next 50 years’ operating the Mobile Botanical Gardens, it is an ideal time to take stock and look forward. Much of our support and volunteer energy comes from MBG Members, who work with staff to help maintain the Gardens’ displays, collections, woodland trails, and Longleaf Pine Treasure Forest in addition to a variety of programs and events.
While MBG and its programs are accessible to the public, free admission to our facility and discounts on activities are available only to Members. Support from Garden Members is an essential layer of Garden funding for general operations, and we invite you to renew your membership today!
Community, Collections & Capacity
From Your Director, Dr. Cindy Klemmer
Dear Members of Mobile Botanical Gardens,
Garden Greetings! Having been in my ‘new’ position as Executive Director for just over three months now, I want you to know how much I am enjoying Mobile and my service here at the Mobile Botanical Gardens!
I have already met many members, volunteers, and colleagues from many community partner organizations, and have enjoyed an array of programs and events. From the prescribed burn that was conducted in the Longleaf Pine Treasure Forest three days after my arrival, to the Spring Plant Sale and Preview Party, to the phenomenal variety of lectures, workshops, classes, and the FUN Family Day… it has been a wonderful spring full of enthusiastic members, visitors, and staff who clearly love the Garden!
I am also working with staff to learn the lay of the land and to better understand our strengths, opportunities, and needs. To sum up what I have learned: we have a fantastic Garden here, and it takes a tremendous quantity of creative ideas, hard work and funds to keep it growing. In reflecting on our funding needs, they coalesce in three areas: Community, Collections, and Capacity. As we enter membership renewal time, if you are able to do so, I hope you will consider renewing at a higher level and/or adding a donation to your membership in support of these needs:
Community—The Garden serve our community by providing green spaces for celebration, reflection, and education. The Gardens are enjoyed by thousands each year and are an important part of the outdoor culture and recreation of Mobile. However, we tend to fly under the radar and many have not even heard of the Gardens. We are working to increase awareness and grow our visitation by offering unique and meaningful experiences through new programs, events and exhibits that will serve youth, families, adults and our entire community. This requires funding for staff, program expenses and marketing, which come from general operations support.
Collections—The Gardens includes phenomenal collections of Camellias, Azaleas, and Japanese Maples. The Camellia collection, in particular, has been honored as a Garden of Excellence by the International Camellia Society, and will be one of a few selected North American sites for a visit by the International Camellia Congress in 2027. To be ready for this visit, the collection needs some intensive maintenance. Graciously, the K. Sawada Camellia Club is partnering with Garden staff to plan and implement much-needed pruning and maintenance, with records management and labelling as well as capital improvements to follow. Support will be needed over the next 18 months and beyond to accomplish our collection maintenance goals and be ready for the world visitors from the Camellia Congress… and our own local and regional visitors. If desired, part or all of your gift may be restricted to focus on staffing and collections maintenance for the Gardens’ collections of Camellias, Azaleas, and Japanese Maples.
Capacity—As you can see, many of the current needs relate to staffing to create and implement programs, and to maintain the Gardens’ grounds and collections. Funding is also required for infrastructure maintenance—the buildings, equipment, and maintenance that keeps us running. We are blessed to have City and County support for some needs; however, there are many operational costs that we cover directly, including maintenance or replacement of essential equipment such as: HVAC units that serve our Larkins Classroom, catering refrigerator repairs, our antique phone system, improvements to our Wi-Fi and network system, and sorely needed storage for programming and event supplies. These needs may sound mundane, but they are absolutely essential for daily operations of the Gardens. Your gift towards Garden operations will help address the Gardens’ capacity to keep serving and enriching the Mobile community.
Thank you for taking time to read this and learn about our needs. I hope you will renew your membership, join at a higher level if your budget allows, and/or consider adding a gift towards the operations of the Gardens. Your support makes a real difference, and is so appreciated! If you will be staying around Mobile this summer, I hope you will join us at the Gardens. Please keep your eye on our weekly e-blasts for the first peek at our new and fun summer programs for children, families, and adults. Happy gardening!
Your renewal will be a huge help to MBG—and offer increased benefits to you as well! If you are able to, consider increasing your membership level and give our member-supported Gardens a boost! You may renew, gift a membership or join online at www.mobilebotanicalgardens.org.
Thank you for your continuing support of the Mobile Botanical Garden – come here to grow!