Name: Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Start: 2022-03-24T06:00:00-0500
End: 2022-04-14T22:00:00-0500
Location: 40 Hours for the Forty Acres April 2022

Missed 40 Hours for the Forty Acres? You can still give by clicking here!

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

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: 

Provide real-world research experience to undergraduates via paid summer internships, which expands this opportunity to students needing paid employment.
Build a deeper connection with UT students, faculty and staff.
Introduce undergraduates to research and careers in the natural sciences.
Immerse students in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) engagements by taking them outside of the classroom and into the gardens and natural areas that serve as our laboratory.
Provide a community that nurtures experiential education, resulting in increased self-efficacy and leadership skills.

“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!

The Final Challenge Winners

Apr 07, 2022

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

1^st 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

It's a late night surprise challenge!

Apr 06, 2022

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!

Leaderboard

40 to the 40 Challenge

Starting at 40 minutes past three...... The top two colleges, schools, units and organizations that receive the greatest number of gifts on April 7th from 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM CDT will receive an additional award! 1st place will receive $2,000 and 2nd place will receive $500

Rank	Prize	Department	Gifts
1	$2,000	Texas Crew	95
2	$500	Texas Women's Rugby	75
3		Texas Orange Jackets	57
4		Texas Taekwondo	20
5		Texas 4000 for Cancer	8
6		University of Texas Libraries	7
7		McCombs School of Business	6
8		Women's Club Lacrosse	6
9		Texas Athletics	6
10		Steve Hicks School of Social Work	5
11		Texas Exes Chapters and Networks	4
12		Texas Exes	3
13		TX Votes	3
14		Jackson School of Geosciences	2
15		Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center	2

Ended

Leaderboard

Final Countdown Challenge

The top three colleges, schools, units and organizations that receive the greatest number of gifts within this designated period will receive an additional award. April 7 from 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM CDT 1st place – $5,000 | 2nd place – $1,500 | 3rd place – $1000

Rank	Prize	Final Countdown Challenge	Gifts
1	$5,000	Texas Crew	103
2	$1,500	The University of Texas Weightlifting Team	72
3	$1,000	Liberal Arts Council	52
4		McCombs School of Business	26
5		Texas Exes	23
6		Jackson School of Geosciences	20
7		Cockrell School of Engineering	15
8		Department of Asian Studies	15
9		College of Natural Sciences	13
10		Moody College of Communication	11
11		Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center	11
12		Black Studies	11
13		School of Human Ecology	9
14		University of Texas Libraries	9
15		College of Liberal Arts	9

Ended

Leaderboard

University-Wide Leaderboard: Greatest Number of Gifts Received

College, school, unit, or organization with the greatest number of gifts will be shown on a leaderboard for bragging rights only.

Rank	University-Wide Leaderboard Gifts	Gifts
1	Texas Crew	930
2	Liberal Arts Council	451
3	Texas 4000 for Cancer	340
4	UT Child Development Center San Jacinto	331
5	McCombs School of Business	325
6	Texas Exes Chapters and Networks	299
7	UT Child Development Center Comal	293
8	Texas Women's Rugby	293
9	Department of Asian Studies	229
10	The University of Texas Weightlifting Team	215
11	Texas Exes	211
12	Texas Taekwondo	210
13	Texas Athletics	163
14	Cockrell School of Engineering	162
15	Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center	144

Ended

Match

Student Support Match - Day 2

The first $5,000 in gifts made within this period by alumni, parents, faculty, staff, friends and students to student support initiatives will receive a match. Gifts of any size will be matched until the total to be awarded, $5,000, is exhausted. April 7 from 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM CDT

$5,000 MATCHED

Completed

Leaderboard

Late Night Surprise Challenge

The top three colleges, schools, units and organizations that receive the greatest number of gifts on April 6th from 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM CDT will receive an additional award! 1st place will receive $1,500 2nd place will receive $750 3rd place will receive $250

Rank	Prize	Department	Gifts
1	$1,500	Texas Exes Chapters and Networks	181
2	$750	Texas 4000 for Cancer	45
3	$250	UT Women's Club Soccer	44
4		Liberal Arts Council	40
5		Texas Crew	23
6		UT Child Development Center Comal	22
7		McCombs School of Business	13
8		Department of Asian Studies	13
9		The University of Texas at Austin	10
10		Texas Athletics	6
11		College of Natural Sciences	6
12		Black Alumni Network	5
13		Longhorn Powerlifting	5
14		IEEE RAS	5
15		Steve Hicks School of Social Work	5

Ended

Match

Student Support Kickoff Match

$5,000 MATCHED

Completed

Success!

Faculty & Staff Pre-Campaign Match

The first $5,000 in payroll deduction pledges, made by UT Austin faculty and staff, between March 1 – April 1 will be matched based upon pledge amount between the first day pledged and August 31, 2022. There is no maximum individual donation amount for this opportunity. March 1 at midnight CDT – April 1 at 5:00 PM CDT (until funds are exhausted)

Completed

Match

Student Study Break Match

The first $2,500 in gifts made within this period by currently enrolled UT students will receive a match. Gifts of any size will be matched until the total to be awarded, $2,500, is exhausted. April 6 from 10:00 PM – 11:59 PM CDT

$2,500 MATCHED

Completed

Match

Faculty & Staff Big Give Match

The first $5,000 in gifts made within this period by UT Austin faculty and staff will receive a match. Gifts of any size will be matched until the total to be awarded, $5,000, is exhausted. April 7 from 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM CDT

$5,000 MATCHED

Completed

Match

Wildflower Center Student Internship Match

The first $5,000 in gifts to the Wildflower Center Student Internships will be matched dollar for dollar.

$5,000 MATCHED

Completed

$1,250

3,660th Gift Milestone Award

Help us smash our day one gift number from fall 2021 - the 3,660th gift will receive a $1,250 award!

3,660 / 3,660 Gifts

Completed

$500

5,000th Gift Milestone Award

To celebrate specific milestones in the campaign, an additional award will be added to the area that receives the following milestone gifts. 5,000th Gift - $500 award

5,000 / 5,000 Gifts

Completed

$500

7,000th Gift Milestone Award

To celebrate specific milestones in the campaign, an additional award will be added to the area that receives the following milestone gifts. 7,000th Gift - $500 award

7,000 / 7,000 Gifts

Completed

$750

9,000th Gift Milestone Award

To celebrate specific milestones in the campaign, an additional award will be added to the area that receives the following milestone gifts. 9,000th Gift - $750 award

9,000 / 9,000 Gifts

Completed

Leaderboard

It's a surprise challenge!

The top three colleges, schools, units and organizations that receive the greatest number of gifts on April 6th from 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM CDT will receive an additional award! 1st place will receive $1,500 2nd place will receive $750 3rd place will receive $250

Rank	Prize	Department	Gifts
1	$1,500	Texas Crew	121
2	$750	The University of Texas Weightlifting Team	90
3	$250	Texas 4000 for Cancer	80
4		Liberal Arts Council	55
5		Center for Leadership and Ethics	21
6		UT Sailing Team	20
7		Department of Asian Studies	17
8		Texas Exes	15
9		Texas Athletics	11
10		McCombs School of Business	7
11		Blank Center for Stuttering Education and Research	7
12		Women's Club Lacrosse	7
13		Communication Studies Graduate Community	6
14		Cockrell School of Engineering	6
15		School of Nursing	5

Ended

Leaderboard

Happy Horns Happy Hour Challenge

The top three colleges, schools, units and organizations that receive the greatest number of gifts within this designated period will receive an additional award. April 6 from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM CDT 1st place – $1,500 | 2nd place – $750 | 3rd place – $250

Rank	Prize	Happy Horns Happy Hour Challenge	Gifts
1	$1,500	Texas Taekwondo	87
2	$750	Liberal Arts Council	45
3	$250	Texas Exes Chapters and Networks	31
4		Department of Asian Studies	15
5		McCombs School of Business	13
6		The University of Texas at Austin	12
7		College of Liberal Arts	12
8		Texas 4000 for Cancer	11
9		Cockrell School of Engineering	8
10		Texas Athletics	8
11		Center for Psychedelic Research & Therapy	8
12		School of Law	7
13		Blank Center for Stuttering Education and Research	7
14		University of Texas Libraries	7
15		Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center	6

Ended

Leaderboard

Day 1 Leaderboard: Gifts

The top five colleges, schools, units and organizations with the greatest number of gifts raised on April 6 from 6:00 AM – 11:59 PM CDT will receive awards. Awards will be given in the following order: 1st Place – $1,000 award 2nd Place – $750 award 3rd Place – $500 award 4th Place – $250 award 5th Place – $100 award

Rank	Prize	Day 1 Leaderboard: Gifts	Gifts
1	$1,000	Texas Crew	312
2	$750	Liberal Arts Council	286
3	$500	Texas Exes Chapters and Networks	269
4	$250	Texas 4000 for Cancer	253
5	$100	UT Child Development Center Comal	190
6		McCombs School of Business	136
7		The University of Texas Weightlifting Team	118
8		Department of Asian Studies	106
9		Texas Taekwondo	100
10		Texas Exes	95
11		Center for Leadership and Ethics	89
12		Texas Athletics	84
13		Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center	74
14		College of Natural Sciences	67
15		Cockrell School of Engineering	64

Ended

Leaderboard

Early Bird Challenge

The top three colleges, schools, units and organizations that receive the greatest dollar amount raised within this designated period will receive an additional award. April 7 from 6:00 AM – 8:00 AM CDT 1st place – $1,500 | 2nd place – $750 | 3rd place – $250

Rank	Prize	Early Bird Challenge	Raised
1	$1,500	College of Natural Sciences	$15,050.00
2	$750	Steve Hicks School of Social Work	$10,350.00
3	$250	The University of Texas Weightlifting Team	$5,400.00
4		Texas Athletics	$5,175.00
5		Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center	$2,385.00
6		Cockrell School of Engineering	$2,245.00
7		McCombs School of Business	$2,100.00
8		Texas Exes	$1,960.00
9		Electrical and Computer Engineering	$1,650.00
10		Moody College of Communication	$1,550.00
11		Counseling and Mental Health Center	$1,500.00
12		Longhorn Racing	$1,500.00
13		The University of Texas at Austin	$1,140.00
14		School of Human Ecology	$1,000.00
15		Dell Medical School	$910.00

Ended

Leaderboard

Hungry Bevo Challenge

The top three colleges, schools, units and organizations that receive the greatest number of gifts within this designated period will receive an additional award. April 7 from 1:00 – 3:00 PM CDT 1st place – $1,500 | 2nd place – $750 | 3rd place – $250

Rank	Prize	Hungry Bevo Challenge	Gifts
1	$1,500	Texas Crew	204
2	$750	UT Child Development Center San Jacinto	168
3	$250	Texas Women's Rugby	120
4		Texas Taekwondo	70
5		UT Child Development Center Lavaca	12
6		Texas 4000 for Cancer	12
7		LBJ School of Public Affairs	11
8		McCombs School of Business	10
9		Cockrell School of Engineering	9
10		Kendra Scott WEL Institute	7
11		Department of Asian Studies	7
12		Women's Club Lacrosse	7
13		Texas Athletics	6
14		Shakespeare at Winedale	6
15		Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center	6

Ended

Leaderboard

University-Wide Leaderboard: Highest Amount of Dollars Received

College, school, unit, or organization with the highest amount of dollars raised will be shown on a leaderboard for bragging rights only.

Rank	University-Wide Leaderboard Dollars	Raised
1	Dell Medical School	$1,306,294.21
2	McCombs School of Business	$529,345.36
3	Center for Psychedelic Research & Therapy	$416,134.00
4	Jackson School of Geosciences	$310,339.42
5	Landmarks	$277,804.94
6	Texas Exes	$112,410.00
7	Texas Athletics	$91,341.00
8	College of Natural Sciences	$56,851.51
9	University of Texas Libraries	$38,656.00
10	Department of Asian Studies	$33,051.00
11	Longhorn Band	$32,870.00
12	The School of Architecture	$29,550.00
13	Cockrell School of Engineering	$27,144.10
14	LaMontagne Center for Infectious Disease (LCID)	$21,900.00
15	Forty Acres Scholars Program	$19,870.00

Ended

Leaderboard

It's Another Surprise Challenge!

The top three colleges, schools, units and organizations that receive the greatest number of gifts on April 7th from 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM CDT will receive an additional award! 1st place will receive $1,500 | 2nd place will receive $750 | 3rd place will receive $250

Rank	Prize	It's Another Surprise Challenge!	Gifts
1	$1,500	UT Child Development Center San Jacinto	120
2	$750	Texas Crew	99
3	$250	UT Child Development Center Comal	88
4		Texas Women's Rugby	55
5		UT Sailing Team	44
6		McCombs School of Business	39
7		Cockrell School of Engineering	16
8		Texas Athletics	16
9		The University of Texas at Austin	14
10		Texas 4000 for Cancer	14
11		Moody College of Communication	12
12		Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center	12
13		Dell Medical School	11
14		The School of Architecture	10
15		School of Law	10

Ended

Leaderboard

Late Night Challenge-Now with Boosted Prizes

The top three colleges, schools, units and organizations that receive the greatest number of gifts within this designated period will receive an additional award. April 7 from 1:00 AM – 6:00 AM CDT Prizes have been BOOSTED 1st place – $2,500 | 2nd place – $1,500 | 3rd place – $1,000

Rank	Prize	Late Night Challenge	Gifts
1	$2,500	Liberal Arts Council	59
2	$1,500	UT Archery Club	45
3	$1,000	Texas Crew	36
4		Texas Taekwondo	9
5		Cockrell School of Engineering	4
6		First-Gen Equity	3
7		The University of Texas at Austin	3
8		Texas Exes	2
9		Longhorn Band	2
10		School of Nursing	2
11		Forty Acres Scholars Program	2
12		Texas Rock Climbing	2
13		Texas Women's Rugby	2
14		College of Fine Arts	1
15		UT Amateur Radio Club	1

Ended

Match

Midnight Madness Match

The first $5,000 in gifts made within this period by UT alumni will receive a match. Gifts of any size will be matched until the total to be awarded, $5,000, is exhausted. April 6 at 11:00 PM – April 7 at 1:00 AM CDT

$5,000 MATCHED

Completed

Leaderboard

Longhorn Lunch Special Challenge

The top three colleges, schools, units and organizations that receive the greatest number of gifts within this designated period will receive an additional award. The award designation will be determined by the receiving college, school, unit or organization. April 6 from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM CDT 1st place – $1,500 | 2nd place – $750 | 3rd place – $250

Rank	Prize	Longhorn Lunch Special Challenge	Gifts
1	$1,500	Texas Crew	116
2	$750	UT Child Development Center Comal	85
3	$250	Center for Leadership and Ethics	28
4		McCombs School of Business	20
5		Texas Exes	19
6		Steve Hicks School of Social Work	17
7		Department of Asian Studies	16
8		College of Natural Sciences	13
9		Texas Athletics	13
10		Jackson School of Geosciences	13
11		Cockrell School of Engineering	11
12		College of Liberal Arts	10
13		School of Law	10
14		Texas 4000 for Cancer	10
15		Liberal Arts Council	10

Ended

Match

Student Support Match - Day 1

The first $2,500 in gifts made within this period by alumni, parents, faculty, staff, friends and students to student support initiatives will receive a match. Gifts of any size will be matched until the total to be awarded, $2,500, is exhausted. April 6 from 8:00 – 10:00 PM CDT

$2,500 MATCHED

Completed

Match

2022 Class Gift Match

All gifts made by current UT Austin underclassmen and graduate students scheduled to graduate in 2022 will be matched until the total to be awarded, $50,000, is exhausted. April 6 at 6:00 AM CDT – April 7 at 10:00 PM CDT

$46,180 MATCHED

Ended

Match

Longhorn Parent Brunch Match

The first $5,000 in gifts made within this period by parents of currently enrolled UT students will receive a match. Any gift of $250 or less will be matched until the total to be awarded, $5,000, is exhausted. April 7 from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM CDT

$4,746 MATCHED

Ended

$1,883

1,883rd Milestone Award

In September 1883, The University of Texas was officially opened in a ceremony inside an incomplete building on a grassy hill where the Tower now stands. To celebrate UT's founding year, the 1,883rd gift will receive a $1,883 award!

1,883 / 1,883 Gifts

Completed

$1,000

4,040th Gift Milestone Award

Every gift made during 40 Hours for the Forty Acres makes a difference. In honor of this Texas-sized giving day, the 4,040th gift will receive a $1,000 award!

4,040 / 4,040 Gifts

Completed

$1,250

6,000th Gift Milestone Award

To celebrate specific milestones in the campaign, an additional award will be added to the area that receives the following milestone gifts. 6,000th Gift - $1250 award

6,000 / 6,000 Gifts

Completed

$2,000

8,244th Gift Milestone Award

Longhorn Nation, we feel the love! The 8,244th gift surpasses the fall campaign, an achievement to celebrate with a $2,000 award!

8,244 / 8,244 Gifts

Completed

Success!

Faculty & Staff Challenge

The college, school, unit, or organization with the highest number of donations from any faculty or staff donors will win an additional reward. Prizes will be awarded after the campaign completes when results can be tabulated. Payroll deductions (from March 1 – April 1) and day-of gifts made through the 40 for Forty page will count towards the total. 1st place - $3,000 award | 2nd Place - $1,000 award | 3rd Place - $500 award. FINAL RANKINGS: 1st - UT Child Development Center Comal, 2nd - UT Child Development Center San Jacinto, 3rd - Dell Medical School

Completed

Success!

US State Challenge

Keep an eye on the main page’s donation heat map! The first donor from each state (including DC and Puerto Rico) will win an additional $100 toward their designation. Donor’s residence state will be determined by the donor heat map function of the giving day website and the credit card billing address. April 6 at 6:00 AM CDT – April 7 at 10:00 PM CDT

Completed

Success!

International Challenge

Keep an eye on the main page’s international donation heat map! The first donor from each continent will win an additional $250 toward their designation. The donor’s residence country will be determined by the donor heat map function of giving day website and the credit card billing address. April 6 at 6:00 AM CDT – April 7 at 10:00 PM CDT

Completed

Success!

Longhorn Pride Social Media Challenge

Show your Longhorn pride and help the UT area of your choice win $1,000! Add a 40 for Forty sticker to your Instagram story and tag @UTAustinTX. April 4 at 6:00 AM CDT – April 7 at 4:59 PM CDT

Completed

Success!

Ambassador Pre-Campaign Sign-up Challenge

The top three colleges, schools, units and organizations that have the most ambassadors signed up by April 4 at 5 p.m. will receive an additional award. 1st Place – $1,000 award | 2nd Place – $750 award | 3rd Place – $250 award

Completed

Participating Groups