Engaging our community and visitors with nature through diverse exhibits, gardens and environmental education experiences, while conserving native habitat, wetlands and wildlife.
(Amended: May 21, 2002; October 25, 2022; September 23, 2025)
Offering exploration and learning, relaxation and play, arts and culture, community gatherings and celebrations, volunteer opportunities, and an animal sanctuary of selected species, in an inviting, unique multi-climate botanical destination.
HISTORY
South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center began with formation of the Corpus Christi Botanical Society in 1983, followed in 1987 by opening a preliminary Corpus Christi Botanical Gardens, a one-acre “cottage garden” and cactus-lined nature trail. Its permanent location—182 acres of leased city parkland at 8545 S. Staples—opened in 1996, followed by a name change to Corpus Christi Botanical Gardens & Nature Center, and finally South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center—reflecting its impact, service area, and blend of floral gardens, natural wetlands, native habitat, resident exotic parrot collection and Resident Reptile exhibit. The 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation is governed by a Board of Directors. Open daily, 9 am to 6 pm, it offers a year-round calendar of classes and events, including Corpus Christi’s five-day “Birdiest Festival in America.”
GROWTH
Since 1996, South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center has developed $3.7 million in assets/improvements (costs at time of construction)—including a 2000 square-foot Visitors Center, 2000 square-foot Education Station, 1000 square-foot Administration Building, and 500 square-foot Facilities Maintenance Office. Gardens and floral exhibits include Orchid and Bromeliad Conservatories; Butterfly House; Rose Garden and Pavilion; Plumeria, Sensory, Arid, Hummingbird, Tropical, and EarthKind Demo Gardens; plus Children’s Play Area, including Monkey Mansion Treehouse. The “Gateway Project,” begun in 2017 with road/parking reconstruction, concluded in 2019 with extensive Visitors Center entrance improvements featuring gazebo, fountain, and plaza area. Other development includes upper and lower native habitat trails, wetland boardwalk with overlook, Palapa Grande, and Birding Tower on two wetland estuaries. The $3.7 million asset figure does NOT include values of its extensive and notable orchid, plumeria, bromeliad, parrot and reptile collections.
In 2019, a modern, bold, vibrant logo was adopted, signaling a future of strategic planning and growth.
REVENUES
Although on City of Corpus Christi parkland, its lease charges the non-profit with full responsibility for developing and maintaining the property as a botanical garden. The only government assistance of any kind received is $100,000 in local Hotel Occupancy Tax, plus CARES ACT FUNDING, including “Payroll Protection Plan” in 2020 and 2021. Revenue includes foundation, corporate and private grants and donations; general admission; fundraisers; special events sponsorships; youth tours; memberships; facilities rentals; gift shop sales; and education programming.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Corpus Christi, the Coastal Bend and South Texas have embraced their non-profit botanical garden with enthusiastic individual volunteerism; corporate, foundation and personal donations; a growing membership base; support through school tours and educational program attendance; and steadily increasing admission numbers.
AFFILIATED WITH:
- American Public Gardens Association
- American Horticulture Society RECIPROCAL GARDENS PROGRAM
- Texas Travel Alliance
- VISIT CORPUS CHRISTI
- United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce
- Texas Coastal Bend Regional Tourism Council
- Greater Corpus Christi Hospitality Association
- Padre Island Business Association
