About Us | South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center

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 $3.1 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 $3.1 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 $65,000 in local Hotel Occupancy Tax, which much be spent on out-of-area marketing.; 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

Executive Board

OFFICERS

Callie Walker, President

Gulf Coast Growth Ventures

Kitty Hommer, 1^st Vice President

Community Volunteer

Sarah Garza, 2^nd Vice President

Port Corpus Christi

Manette Scanio, Secretary

Retired, American Bank

Stephanie Riske, CPA, Treasurer

Community Volunteer

Denise Housler, Past President

Owner, Aquaria Services Inc.

___________________________________

Joyce Barnette

Community Volunteer

Cindy Boudloche, CPA

Retired Bankruptcy Trustee

Charlene Chesshir

Community Volunteer

Hugh Dobson

Las Aguilas Enterprises

Alex Garcia, Jr.

LoneStar TRS LLC

Genny Hatton

Community Volunteer

June Herbst

Retired Educator

Gloria Hicks

Hicks Automotive Group

Patty Nuss

Peterson Development Company

Holly Osborn

Retired MDR Advertising

Bob Paulison

Port Industries

Joe Schenk

Retired Director, Art Museum of South Texas

Betty Thomas

Retired Contracting Officer, USAF

Directors

Jodie Alley

Retired Frost Bank

Beverly Bacak

American Bank

Amos Byington, AIA

AG|CM Professional Project Management

Dominique Cuellar

TAMU-CC

Karen Easton

Community Volunteer

Dr. Bill Fonteno

Retired Horticulture Professor

Dr. Robert Furgason

Retired TAMU-CC President

Cathi Garza

Community Volunteer

Jessica Gilmore

Hollon Safe Company

B. J. Kershaw

Community Volunteer

Barbara Little

St. John Paul II High School

Melissa Pfluger-Hill

IBC Bank

Melvin Powell

CC Produce

Andy Saenz

Flint Hills Resources

Darcy Schroeder

Valero

Betty Whitt

Community Volunteer

Jeff Wise

Merrill Lynch

Regional Advisory Board

Chris Adler

Dr. Don Albrecht

Dr. Roland Hernandez

State Rep. Todd Hunter

Nelda Martinez

Cathy Skurow, PE

BOARD MEMBERS EMERITUS

Nelwyn Anderson (deceased)
Jennifer Bowen
Rich Tuttle

The South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center will advance the knowledge and appreciation of plants and the environment, in relation to personal and community education, well-being, and scientific understanding. It will conserve, preserve, display and interpret native and adapted flora and fauna of South Texas, for area residents and visitors, and as appropriate, serve as an animal sanctuary for selected species.

( Amended and Approved: May 21, 2002; October 25, 2022)

Our facility strives to:
Offer an ever-growing source of beauty, information,
environmental learning and entertainment;
Provide a positive and satisfying visitor experience;
Enhance local quality of life and economic development through nature tourism.