Who We Are
Just down the road from the 40 acres, you’ll find the university’s world-renowned botanic garden, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center which is celebrating its 40th anniversary. As part of the Longhorn Nation, we are committed to changing the world, one native plant at a time. Last year, we welcomed 226,856 guests to our gardens and connected with more than 2.4 million people online through our popular native plant database — all of whom were drawn to the beauty and sustainability of native plants. Among our gardens and landscapes, you’ll discover nearly 900 species of Texas native plants, from well-known bluebonnets to rare oak trees from West Texas. We are committed to environmental education, cultivating appreciation for Texas landscapes, and fostering research across disciplines such as ecology, geology, biology and horticulture.
The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center was recently designated a field station by The University of Texas at Austin’s College of Natural Sciences. As part of the Biodiversity Center’s growing field station network, the Wildflower Center offers scientists and students enhanced opportunities for research and learning about a mixed oak-juniper savanna along the Balcones Escarpment with intermittent drainages and a network of cave and karst features.
What We’re Fundraising For
Research Experiences for Undergraduates
We are building a world-class research program focused on land restoration and biodiversity that will serve as a model for other botanic gardens and make a lasting impact in Texas. One of the most important goals of our research program at the Wildflower Center is to provide mentorship and research experiences for undergraduate students who otherwise may not have access to such opportunities. Collaborating with the College of Natural Sciences, we will create extended mentorship experiences for first-generation college students and underrepresented student populations. To overcome financial barriers in pursuing summer research, we will offer a competitive stipend of $5,000 per student.
Please help us raise $20,000 to support four undergraduate student internships this summer in the following areas of research and conservation:
Effects of Prescribed Burns on Biodiversity
Herbaceous Vegetation Species Surveys
Pollinator Research
Your Impact
Supporting the Wildflower Center today cultivates a better, brighter future for us all.
With your gift, the Wildflower Center will:
“Thank you for all your help this summer and for securing the scholarships for us. You always made me feel my presence and my work was valued and I appreciate that more than I can express.” Zane Ortega, 2021 Wildflower Center Summer Intern
“I just wanted to thank you for giving me the opportunity to intern at the Wildflower Center this summer. I am leaving not only with more experience and knowledge, but a better person... You truly showed how much you cared about my experience here with regards to my education, but also my well-being.” Faith Golz, 2021 Wildflower Center Summer Intern
"The Wildflower Center gave me a new appreciation of everything that Lady Bird Johnson did for the environment in both conservation and preservation. Thank goodness we've had such influential people in this country with the forethought to protect our natural resources." Rick M. (via Tripadvisor)
Thank you for your support!
Thank you to everyone for another amazing campaign! Below are some of the challenge winners for the second day of the campaign!
It’s Another Surprise Challenge
1st Place: WINNER UT Child Development Center San Jacinto
2nd Place: WINNER Texas Crew
3rd place: WINNER UT Child Development Center Comal
Hungry Bevo Challenge
1st Place: WINNER Texas Crew
2nd Place: WINNER UT Child Development Center San Jacinto
3rd place: WINNER Texas Women's Rugby
40 to the 40 Surprise Challenge
1st Place: WINNER Texas Crew
2nd Place: WINNER Texas Women's Rugby
Final Countdown Challenge
1st Place: WINNER Texas Crew
2nd Place: WINNER The University of Texas Weightlifting Team
3rd place: WINNER Liberal Arts Council
Longhorn Pride Social Media Challenge
1st Place: School of Nursing Area of Greatest Need $1,000 Prize
Runner Ups:
Texas Orange Jackets $250 Prize
Dell Medical School Scholarships $250 Prize
6,000 Milestone Award Winner- Texas Crew
7,000 Milestone Award Winner- Shakespeare at Winedale
8,244 Milestone Award Winner- Texas Women’s Club Lacrosse
What a day! We have a surprise tonight! Between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. CST the top three colleges, schools, units, and organizations that receive the greatest number of gifts will receive an additional reward.
1st Place: $1,500
2nd Place: $750
3rd Place: $250
Rally behind your favorite participating area of campus before 10 p.m!