The Fort Worth Botanic Garden, established in 1934, holds the distinction of being Texas’s oldest major botanic garden. Built during the Great Depression, the Garden was part of an initiative to beautify the community while providing much-needed jobs for unemployed residents of Fort Worth. Landmarks like the Rose Garden and Rock Springs remain as enduring tributes to the dedication and hard work of those individuals. As the Garden expanded to span 110 acres in the heart of the Cultural District, the City of Fort Worth managed its operations, transforming it into a cherished landmark enjoyed by generations of Texans. The Botanical Research Institute of Texas (BRIT) was founded in 1987 as a nonprofit organization, initially tasked with preserving an extensive plant collection and library acquired from Southern Methodist University. This collection included 450,000 preserved plant specimens and 75,000 botanical books. Over the years, BRIT has evolved into a renowned research institution, boasting state-of-the-art laboratories, a seed bank for plant conservation, a publishing division, and an impressive collection of 1.5 million plant specimens. On October 1, 2020, BRIT and the Fort Worth Botanic Garden merged into a single nonprofit organization. While the City of Fort Worth retains ownership of the Garden’s land and most buildings, excluding the BRIT Research facility, BRIT now oversees all aspects of the Garden management. Today, the Fort Worth Botanic Garden stands as a stunning haven of natural beauty and a living museum. It is also a hub of scientific discovery, where researchers work to deepen our understanding of plants and their vital role in sustaining the environment. The Mission of Fort Worth Botanic Garden is to: To explore the critically important world of plants, collaborate to discover the role they play in our cultural and natural environments, and engage people to conserve nature and improve the human experience. Our Vision reflects our highest aspirations: To be renowned globally and treasured locally for exceptional and influential research, horticulture, and education.