HOUSTON BOTANIC GARDEN In This Issue Trees For Houston Partnership Letter from the Board Chair Congratulations to Claudia Botanical Beginnings Recap Hurricane Harvey Update BotanIQ The Oxblood Lily Collaboration with Trees For Houston Creating a botanic garden is a complex, multi-faceted endeavor. From irrigation plans and soil selections to educational programming and research opportunities, staffing and community outreach to fundraising a major capital campaign, numerous people are working on all the aspects needed to make the Houston Botanic Garden a first rate visitor experience. We are not doing all of this work alone. Houston is filled with people and organizations with tremendous experience and expertise that can help us create a world class botanic garden. This is a city-wide effort, and we are so fortunate to collaborate with some of Houston’s brightest who are passionate about HBG’s project. We are thrilled to partner with one such organization who is working to transform Houston through planting, protecting, and promoting trees—Trees For Houston. Since being founded in 1983, Trees For Houston has planted over half a million trees in the Greater Houston region. With their extensive experience and depth of knowledge, Trees For Houston has agreed to operate a tree farm for all of HBG’s reforestation trees. The tree farm will be installed once HBG takes possession of the site. Over 1,000 trees will comprise this roughly 2-acre tree farm, with TFH caring for approximately 40 distinct species. By growing the trees on site, HBG will be able to more efficiently install more mature trees and create a better visitor experience on opening day. HBG plans to host events at the tree farm to help educate visitors about trees that grow well in Houston and how to care for them. We hope that this partnership is one of many that bring together Houston’s best to Grow Houston’s Garden. FALL 2017
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HOUSTON BOTANIC GARDEN
In This Issue
Trees For Houston Partnership Letter from the Board Chair Congratulations to Claudia
Botanical Beginnings Recap Hurricane Harvey Update BotanIQ The Oxblood Lily
Collaboration with Trees For Houston Creating a botanic garden is a complex, multi-faceted endeavor. From irrigation plans and soil selections to educational
programming and research opportunities, staffing and community outreach to fundraising a major capital campaign,
numerous people are working on all the aspects needed to make the Houston Botanic Garden a first rate visitor
experience. We are not doing all of this work alone. Houston is filled with people and organizations with tremendous
experience and expertise that can help us create a world class botanic garden. This is a city-wide effort, and we are so
fortunate to collaborate with some of Houston’s
brightest who are passionate about HBG’s project.
We are thrilled to partner with one such organization
who is working to transform Houston through planting,
protecting, and promoting trees—Trees For
Houston. Since being founded in 1983, Trees For
Houston has planted over half a million trees in the
Greater Houston region. With their extensive
experience and depth of knowledge, Trees For
Houston has agreed to operate a tree farm for all of
HBG’s reforestation trees. The tree farm will be
installed once HBG takes possession of the site. Over
1,000 trees will comprise this roughly 2-acre tree farm,
with TFH caring for approximately 40 distinct species.
By growing the trees on site, HBG will be able to more
efficiently install more mature trees and create a better
visitor experience on opening day.
HBG plans to host events at the tree farm to help
educate visitors about trees that grow well in Houston
and how to care for them. We hope that this
partnership is one of many that bring together
Houston’s best to Grow Houston’s Garden.
FALL 2017
Board of Directors
Nancy O’Connor Abendshein
Peggy Bailey
Alberto P. Cardenas, Jr.
Drucie Chase
John Eads
Melbern G. Glasscock
Gail Hendryx
Steven J. Lindley
Peter R. McStravick, Jr.
Randall E. Meyer
James A. Reeder, Jr.
Jose A. Rocha
Robert A. Rowland III
Nancy S. Thomas
Sharyn Aydam Weaver
W. Temple Webber III
Emily Tuttle Wilde
Advisory Council
Mary Beth Arcidiacono
Sadie Gwin Blackburn
Pauline Bolton
Elizabeth Boss
Peter G. Doyle
Laura A. Easton
Bolivar Fraga
Susan Garwood
Hester T. Hawkins
Kathy Huber
Ann W. Jones
Margarette L. Jones
Wendy Kelsey
John Kirksey
Christopher L. Knapp
Ann Lents
Odette McMurrey Mace
Gary P. Moss
Brenda Beust Smith
Cassie B. Stinson
M. S. Stude
The Very Reverend
Barkley S. Thompson
Janice Van Dyke Walden
Kingslea von Helms
Bass C. Wallace, Jr.
William Welch, Ph.D.
Ed Wulfe
Letter from the Board Chair
Dear Friends, What a warm and exciting Fall! The Autumn season represents change—and what a time of change it has been for the Houston Botanic Garden. As 2017 comes to a close, we are working with our team of designers, consultants, and engineers to finalize our schematic design plans for phase one of the Garden. The past few months have been filled with exploring everything from bridge designs to stormwater wetlands to seasonal display gardens and more! The renderings are stunning, and our planning committee is confident in decisions being made to build a spectacular Garden. We held our third Botanical Beginnings Luncheon in October, and it was such a fun and festive success! I had my face painted, savored some “witches brew”, and enjoyed a virtual reality tour of the Garden. Beyond the fun, it was truly an honor to share the updates of the Garden with so many incredible individuals. The ballroom of River Oaks Country Club was captivated by West 8’s presentation and inspired by the fact that this dream is quickly becoming reality. At the luncheon, we had the pleasure of announcing that we reached our $20 million milestone for the City of Houston. We are one step closer to reaching our $30 million capital campaign goal. This is such an exciting time for the Houston Botanic Garden. Thank you for embracing the vision and supporting our efforts to Grow Houston’s Garden. I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season.
Nancy O’Connor Abendshein
Board Chair
HBG celebrates Claudia Gee Vassar
After serving as Interim Executive Director for just over a
year, the HBG Board of Directors voted to offer Claudia the
role of Executive Director and General Counsel. The Board,
staff, and community partners are all very excited to
continue under Claudia’s leadership as we Grow Houston’s
Garden. As a native Houstonian, she brings a wealth of
knowledge and passion to this project for the City of
Houston, in addition to nonprofit expertise. It is an honor to
have her as the organization’s leader.
Grow Houston’s Garden To-Date: $21.6 million
Each leaf represents $1 million
The enclosed envelope has instructions on how
you can make your end of year gift today!
Hurricane Harvey While so much of our city was devastated, we were fortunate that Hurricane Harvey had minimal impact on the future home of the Houston Botanic Garden. Hurricane Harvey was the wettest tropical hurricane on record in the contiguous United States. Parts of Houston received over 50” of rainfall. An estimated 25-30% of Harris County was submerged. The flooding and devastation across our city was heartbreaking. And yet, in spite of the record-breaking amount of water that fell over such a short period of time, Sims Bayou never left its banks. The Sims Bayou watershed is a relatively small watershed. Sims also recently underwent a nearly $400 million project to reduce overbank flooding. Harvey was a pretty good test of whether the future home of the HBG could withstand a major rainfall event. We are fortunate to say that Sims Bayou passed the test. HBG is even more acutely aware of the role that we can play in inspiring environmental stewards and creating a more sustainable world. We also are mindful that heavy rainfall events will happen again, so we will ensure we protect precious collections and valuable assets from future rainfall events.
staff, and community partners are all very excited to
knowledge and passion to this project for the City of
BotanIQ
Did you know that green infrastructure plays a critical role in the improvement of our water system?
Not only does natural land mitigate flood risk by slowing and reducing stormwater discharge, but living organisms in the soil actually help to filter out toxins in collected rainwater before it flows steadily into our waterways.
Green infrastructure such as stormwater wetlands (which the Houston Botanic Garden plans to have) provide significant environmental and economic benefits.
- US Environmental Protection Agency
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Friday, August 25, 2017 Saturday, August 26, 2017 Sunday, August 27, 2017 Monday, August 28, 2017 Tuesday, August 29, 2017 Wednesday, August 30, 2017
gathered at River Oaks Country Club for the third biennial
luncheon on October 31st. Over 500 guests came to support
the Grow Houston’s Garden campaign and celebrate
reaching the significant milestone of raising $20 million. The
City of Houston set a December 31, 2017 deadline, and
HBG met it two months early! The luncheon itself raised over
$480,000.
Prior to the program, guests mingled in the foyer while
bidding on silent auction items and sipping themed cocktails.
In the spirit of Halloween, guests were also treated to having
their face painted, with several opting for chic Astros designs. Luncheon co-chairs Laura O. Wheless, Mary Beth Arcidiacono,
Ginni Mithoff
Live tree performers roamed the salon, adding to the
festive ambiance. Swift + Company and Krissi Reid
generously donated the fun décor, and H-E-B Central
Market provided the lovely floral arrangements. Guests
were also given a unique opportunity to experience the
future botanic garden through a virtual reality simulation.
The cocktail hour was such a great time that no one was
ready to go into the ballroom when the bells chimed.
Serving as emcee was board member, Jim Reeder, who
kicked off the program by welcoming Mayor Pro Tem Ellen
Cohen to the podium to give remarks on behalf of the City
of Houston. Following the Mayor Pro Tem, the luncheon
program continued as West 8’s Principal and Senior
Architect, Claire Agre, presented the vision for the Garden
and the highlights of what Houstonians will experience in
Phase 1. These presentations and the video that was
shown gave guests a true picture of what the Garden will
look like and how beneficial it will be for Houston. “We
have a unique opportunity to put a stamp on our city here
today,” Jim Reeder inspired the crowd.
All in all, the Botanical Beginnings Luncheon was fun,
educational, and left guests feeling excited for the
wonderful Garden that is to come.
Claire Agre of West 8 beautifully illustrated the future Garden
Guests enjoyed having their faces painted. The Astros design
was a hit!
A Heartfelt Thanks to our Underwriters & Sponsors Towering Trees Nancy & Butch Abendshein, Denise & David C. Baggett, Mary & John Eads, and Shelli & Steve Lindley
Splendid Shrubs Mary Beth & Johnny Arcidiacono,
Patsy Cravens, and Ellen & Alfred Lee
Cathy & Joe Cleary Coneway Family Foundation Muffy McLanahan and Muffet Blake Ginni & Richard Mithoff Texas Aromatics, LP –
Susie & Mel Glasscock Stedman West Foundation
in honor of Jean Tuttle Nancy S. Thomas Randa & K.C. Weiner Laura & Bill Wheless
Flourishing Flowers Nancy C. Allen Elizabeth & Bill Boss Botanic Garden Friends:
Emily Crosswell, Linda Debrovner, Clare Glassell, Flo McGee, Lynda Underwood, Linda Walker
Minnie & Ed Cappel Anthony Chase Flo Crady and Eric Nevil &
Jim Reeder Crady, Jewett & McCulley LLP Ellen & Jim Cummins and Krissi Reid
Lorrie & Mike Foreman Cheri Fossler, Terry Harmon, Kay
Lynn Kuper, Vicki Lange, Cynthia Nelson, Liz Rigney, Alice Timmins, Susan Toomey
Friends of Laura Wheless: Linda Bloss, Ann Conner, Carolyn Cruse, Sue Nan Cutsinger, Suzy Heine, Leslie Lammellein, Cora Bess Meyer, Kate Scott, Martha Ann Snyder, Diane Tucker, Bess Wilson
Friends of the Botanic Garden: Carole Bailey, Pam Barineau, Dodie Jackson, Suzy Rhodes, Kay Rice, Alice Thomas
Friends of HBG: Patti Cowan, Nancy Etheridge, Susan Keefe, Kathryn Ketelsen, Sue Price, Mary A. Trainer, Sue S. White, Renee P. Wright
Betsy & John Garibaldi Jean’s Gardeners:
Emily & Carlton Wilde, Jennifer Tuttle Arnold, Susan & David Lummis and Lee Tuttle
Gail & Michael Hendryx Jennie & Ralph Hull Ann Jones Jenny & Jay Kempner Laurie & Blake Liedtke Marilyn Lummis Lisa & Downing Mears
Suzanne & Dixon Montague Vivie & Chris O’Sullivan Isla & Tommy Reckling Leslie & Shannon Sasser Sterling Associates
Mary Jane & Bob Wakefield
Vivacious Vines Peggy Cope Bailey Botanica Landscaping Services, Inc. -
Stephanie K. Fox Kathleen & Carl Dawson and Martha
& Richard McDugald Kit Detering, Carmen Knapp, and
Sarah Pitt Ann & Leslie Doggett The Garver Foundation Greenwood King Properties
Blair & Bryan Loocke and Jenni &
Nick Swyka
Susie & Skip McGee and Dorothy M. Cuenod
Jenifer & Eric McLaughlin Wick & Rob Rowland and Lisa &
Peter McStravick Judy & Charles Tate, Vivien & Scott
Caven, and Susan & David Miclette Vinson & Elkins LLP Kingslea & Michael von Helms and
Kim & Sellers Thomas –in honor of Nancy S. Thomas
Hearty Herbs The Alkek and Williams Foundation Lilly & Thurmon Andress Yasmine Ballantyne Karol & Paul Barnhart
in honor of Nancy Abendshein Walter Bering Ellen & Robert Blasio Ann & John Bookout Pam & Murray Brasseux Marianna & Chris Brewster Sandy & Bill Bryan Ellie Camberg
in memory of Doris Fondren Lummis Cathy & Paul Chapman Clark Condon Associates Meredith & Fielding Cocke Hilary & Ned Crady –
Plus Two Interiors Houston, LLC in memory of Patricia & Charles Crady
Lacy Crain & Joe Galloway Mary & Walter Crain Janet & Will Cravens Katie Cullen Susan & Pat Doherty John F. Dorn Anne Duncan Anne & Robin French Susan Garwood Florence & Frederic Gautier-Winther
Nancy R. Gordon Carol & Tommy Harper Diana Hawkins Hetta & Jesse Heath Hobby Family Foundation –
Kate & Steve Gibson Linda & Barry Hunsaker
in memory of Kay Crooker Jill & Dunham Jewett Ann & Johnny Johnson Wendy & Mavis Kelsey Elizabeth & Albert Kidd Carla Knobloch Harriet & Truett Latimer Ann Lents & David Heaney Margene & Bill Lloyd Lucas Eilers Design Associates –
Sandra Lucas & Sarah Eilers Linda D. McReynolds
Eunice & Randall Meyer Louise & Gary Moss Cynthia & Robert Nelson Becky & Ralph O’Connor Karen & Dean Patrinely Beverly & Oliver Pennington Kathy & Harry Phillips Sheila Reese Beth Robertson Jose & Monica Rocha Terry & Tommy Smith T.L.L. Temple Foundation
Kim & Jeff Van Gundy Peter & Elizabeth Wareing Mary & Temple Webber Lucille & Bill Welch Why I Love Houston Properties -
Kathlyn Curtis Lynn & Jim Wilson Robin Wombwell
Brilliant Bulbs Anne Bechtol Walter Bering Rosanna & Myron Blalock Nancy A. Burrow Patricia Chambers Mary Jo Chapoton Allyson P. Cook Elizabeth Swift Copeland Kelty Crain Julie & Markley Crosswell Laura Easton Cathy M. Frank Mrs. Karl Gautschi Ann Hamman Terry Harmon Nancy F. Haywood
Elizabeth K. Howley Paige Jackson Louise Jamail Mary McGill Jornayvaz Nancy Kelley Ann & Tom Kelsey Stephanie Langenstein Odette McMurrey Mace Cathy Malone Sally G. Matthews Betty Kyle Moore
Jeanne Moses Vivian & Tom O’Leary Pamela & David Ott Stacy Long Owen Carroll R. Ray Barbara & Corbin J. Robertson Jr. Kathleen Rogers
Regina J. Rogers Gina Saour Patsy Speed Eliza Stedman Robin Stuart Lynn Swanson Ann Gordon Trammell Bridget Wade Terrie Warren Susan Whitfield Wallace Wilson Carolyn Young
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