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 designated a field station in October 2021 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 fall, spring and summer research, we will offer a competitive stipend of $5,000 per student.
Please help us raise $15,000 to support three undergraduate student internships 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 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.
“Interning at the Wildflower Center and working with Texas native plants and their pollinators was very rewarding. Interactions between plants and pollinators are a really important part of the ecosystem that I hope to explore further, along with the impact of land restoration on creating sustainable landscapes.” Allison Morales, 2022 Wildflower Center Summer Intern
“The most rewarding part about working at the Wildflower Center is the potential for my research to inspire future research and improved land management/restoration techniques. Knowing that my efforts contribute to a more holistic understanding of the land is exceedingly gratifying. This experience has provided me with the opportunity to explore interests outside of my core studies in an immersive environment, broadening my scope of knowledge for graduate school and beyond.” Jacob Kruel, 2022 Wildflower Center Summer Intern
Thank you for your support!
Thank you to everyone for another amazing campaign! Below are the challenge winners for the final hours of the campaign!
Time for Another Surprise Challenge
1st Place: WINNER UT Men's Ultimate Club
2nd Place: WINNER The University of Texas Weightlifting Team
3rd place: WINNER Texas Trap and Skeet
Hungry, Hungry Bevo Challenge
1st Place: WINNER UT Men's Ultimate Club
2nd Place: WINNER Texas Trap and Skeet
3rd place: WINNER The University of Texas Weightlifting Team
40 to the 40 Surprise Challenge
1st Place: WINNER Longhorn Racing
2nd Place: WINNER UT Men's Ultimate Club
Final Countdown Challenge
1st Place: WINNER Texas Trap and Skeet
2nd Place: WINNER The University of Texas Weightlifting Team
3rd place: WINNER Texas Women's Rugby
Longhorn Pride Social Media Challenge
1st Place: Longhorn Band Student Association $1,000 Prize
Runner-up: Women's Club Lacrosse $250 Prize
Procrastinator Gift WINNER Longhorn Racing $500 Award
6,000 Milestone WINNER UT Men's Ultimate Club
7,000 Milestone WINNER Longhorn Racing
8,000 Milestone WINNER Black Student Alliance
State & International Challenge Winners - Check your donor wall these have been awarded!
Leaderboard Challenge Winners - Check the challenges page wall for the final leaderboards. Prizes will be awarded soon!
Make your gift between 5 and 7 p.m. Central and we'll say thanks by sending you a Forty Acres sticker and display your Longhorn pride everyday!
