The 2022 Festival surpassed its REGISTRATION RECORD with 239 birders registered, from 30 states; and raised its bird species sighted in its five-year history to 329! Now, we proudly announce our 2023 Keynote Speaker, featured on Texas Monthly’s June cover, Tiffany Kersten, who against impossible odds, set a new U.S. record for ‘The Big Year’—726 species sighted in 31 states in 12 months! Hear her story of determination, a shoestring budget, and recovery—in person during the April 26-30, 2023 Birdiest Festival in America. Registration opens December 1 on www.birdiestfestival.org.

Ocean Drive Garden Club partners with Gardens for 2nd HAY BALE MAZE, opening Saturday, October 22!
Geared to kids, more than 115 bales of hay builds a maze challenging young sense of direction. This “hay-mazing adventure”, located near Monkey Mansion, is open 9 am-6 pm, celebrating fall!

Four weekends of lights, trees, petting zoo, hay rides, s’mores & cocoa & SANTA beginning the day after Thanksgiving feature a huge live lighted fir tree, and “Eco Christmas Tree,” an 18’ tree of green plastic bottles created by environmental artist Shelia Rogers!
Friday evenings, 5:30-7:30 pm. Saturdays, 9 am-7:30 pm. Nov. 25/26, Dec. 2/3, Dec. 9/10, Dec. 16/17.

Nature’s Boutique gift shop Holiday Sale for Members begins Friday, November 4, through December 31, with a 20% member discount on all non-sale merchandise, books and available plants. DOUBLE your normal member discount! One of three Gift Shop finalists in recent Best of the Best competition. JOIN if you’re not, shop till you drop! (Join early at www.stxbot.org; or 361-852-2100.) Memberships make great gifts, too . . . CLOSED Thanksgiving Day, December 24, 25.

MOONLIGHT 2022 was beyond fantastic! Close to 600 enjoyed outstanding food and drinks, 4” prawns, sliders, pulled pork, chicken fajitas, Asian wraps, mini keylime pies, margaritas, Wine, a botanical craft beer! Auction, magical lighting, cuddly reptiles, pretty parrots, live
music kept guests on the move. They took home centerpieces, souvenir flashlights, and a Very useful gift in each valeted car! Fun-tastic fundraiser, chillin’ crowd—till next year . . .

Internationally-known local environmental artist, Shelia Rogers, will create an 18-foot, lit-from-within Christmas Tree for the winter-vacant Plumeria Garden! Her design requires 3500 empty green plastic bottles with lids, recycled by savvy friends of our local ecosystem and the Gardens, wanting to contribute to a fabulous work of art! SEE MORE to learn about her art, and how to help!

Guests visiting Saturdays or Sundays are treated to REP-TALES,10:30 am, on the lawn areas. Although some of our parrots are back on display, PARROT-TALK is still suspended due to risk of Avian Flu.

2023 WINTER LECTURE SERIES, teaching valuable unique lessons in South Texas horticulture, are Wednesday mornings at 9:30, from January 18-February 22! Both residents and winter visitors meet new acquaintances over a up of coffee, listening to expert speakers. Included in your membership, general admission,
or $5 per lecture. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED, 361-852-2100.