Huntsville Botanical Garden

Annual ReportFor Fiscal Year October 1, 2016 - September 30, 2017

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FINANCE Operating Results: October 2016 - September 2017*

F Y 1 6 F Y 1 7 % O F R E V E N U E Public Support 219,380 222,300 5.5%Advancement 750,200 789,309 19.6%Education 134,518 144,988 3.6%Membership 508,809 621,626 15.4%Events & Rentals 446,290 959,984 23.8%Admissions 757,969 925,888 23.0%Gift Shop 193,942 366,990 9.1%Total Operating Revenue 3,011,108 4,031,084 Operating Expenses 829,681 1,198,853 29.7%Wages & Benefits 1,724,640 2,159,727 53.6%Communications 105,616 114,389 2.8%Building/Site Expenses 320,058 462,193 11.5%Other Admin 62,916 81,818 2.0%Capital Expenses 16,379 7,998 0.2%Total Operating Expenses 3,059,291 4,024,978

* Pre-Audit Operating Budget only (does not reflect restricted funds/capital campaign).

This past fiscal year has been a transformational year in so many ways. The opening of the Eloise McDonald Propst Guest Center opened many new opportunities for us and moved us into a new level as an attraction. Just take a look at a few of the changes since the opening and close of our fiscal year in September:

April - September compared to same period in 2017:• Membership is up 35% • Admission is up 74%• Gift Shop sales are up 174%• Facility Rental Revenue is up 202%

But the building wasn’t the only addition…

What an exciting year we have had at the Huntsville Botanical Garden…none like it

since I came in 2002. We are ecstatic with the response to the opening of the Eloise McDonald Propst Guest Center and so grateful to the generous donors that shared our vision to bring it to reality. The community has embraced our beautiful new facilities and invited us to become a part of their most special memories.

Given the quality and the quantity of our new re-sources, the impact of the Propst Center has been far-reaching and sets the bar high for delivery in every aspect. 2017 was transformational and we will continue to engage best practices as we fine tune our new operating model. I am proud of our staff and their efforts as they have developed the strategic plans for success.

We welcomed over 360,000 visitors this year making us the 3rd largest attended attraction in 2017. The Garden is getting richer everyday with new friends and the renewal of long-time members. The expectations of building a world-class garden is so very fitting for this North Alabama region. I appreciate the guidance and direction of the Board of Directors, the Foundation Board and the Advisory Board. The planning that has taken place since the early days demonstrates such thoughtful-ness and good stewardship.

No exhibit, program or event is possible without our corp of volunteers. In 2017, 2800 volunteers were engaged in some manner whether it be research, plant sales, education, guest services, or the Galaxy of Lights. Together we move confidently to our future as we grow our displays and natural areas to be even more beautiful for everyone’s enjoyment.

I encourage you to continue to be a part and take pride and pleasure in your Garden.

Paula SteigerwaldPresident and CEO

HBG OFFICERS & DIREC TORS

Paula Steigerwald President and Chief Executive Officer

Kathy Gilder Chief Operating Officer

Carol Casey Vice-President of Communications & Programs

Melissa Riley Vice-President of Guest Experience

Annette Alexander Director of Development

Cindy Hallman Director of Facility Rental

Amy Moore Director of Finance

Donna Parsons Director of Guest Services

Thayer Phillips Director of Operational Services

Soozi Pline Director of Education

Niki Sothers Director of Horticulture

2,278 total plants:• 85 trees

• 1,392 shrubs

• 801 perennials and grasses

• 148 different species of plants, over 50 new varieties

New features:• Four new fountains - Dogwood Courtyard, Redbud Courtyard,

Kitchen Garden and Little Smith Lake

• New Arbor at Celebration Garden

• Hydration Station at Cherry Terrace

• Call Station at Cherry Terrace

New Garden areas:• Dogwood Courtyard - Located in the front of Guest Center, outside Shoppe at the Garden

• Welcome Terrace - Very front of the Guest Center

• Lakeside Terrace - South of the Guest Center

• Lakeside Patio - East of the Carriage House, Table in the Garden seating area

• Kitchen Garden - West of the Carriage House

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VOLUNTEERS

2017 Butch Damson Volunteer of the Year: Guiding and assembling our Guest Center Focus V Project Development team, John Allen was the recipient of this prestigious award.

2,800 individuals worked 51,200 hours for a total payroll value of $1.2 million in a payroll equivalency rate of $24.14 per hour.

• Spring/Fall Plant Sale: 650 volunteers; 5,800 hours.

• Galaxy of Lights: 1,300 volunteers; 5,500 hours.

BOARD OF DIRECTORSDavid Harbarger, ChairmanJohn AllenCynthia AlmodovarJoe BergantzDavid BierPenny BillingsPaul BogosianLynn CardenMark CurranMike DeMaioribusCarolyn FaraciKyle FindlayCindy GrayLinda GreenMary GriffithWarne HeathTharon HoneycuttKim LewisTerry LewisBeth RichardsonLana RitchEmily RobertsonReba RogersBeth SippelJan SmithMG (Ret.) Al SullivanKathi Tew

ADVISORY BOARD Mark Curran, ChairmanShirley BrownJanet BrownDr. Marvin CarrollCarole Anne EllersMary Grace EvansKerry FehrenbachJeff GronbergPaula LecherEric MillsTony OsaniDr. Ken RivenbarkChris RobinsonDr. Jim RogersCarol Tevepaugh

FOUNDATION BOARD Beth Wise, ChairmanPhylis BaronBobby BradleyDavid LucasRoy NicholsJohn PurdyLinda SmithBill SnoddyJohn StallworthMiddie Thompson*Pamela Barratt WhiteJohn Wynn

* new Board Member

ADVANCEMENT

Our Corporate Partner Program grew from 15 to 24 Corporate Partners with a 45% increase in spon-sorship revenue over 2016. The Corporate Partner Program is designed to strengthen our relationships with the corporate community in Huntsville. Mem-bers of the program make annual gifts in support of the Garden’s operating needs and in return receive benefits for both the company and its employees.

Over 350 ladies attended our 5th Annual Spring Lun-cheon in the Guest Center. This event generated our highest sponsorship to date for an event at the Garden.

We have been a sponsor of the Botanical Gardens

Spring Luncheon for several years now. We feel it is a

privilege, a responsibility and “just good business” to

support this wonderful asset to our community!

-Noel McCalister, Dunagan Yates and Alison

MEMBERSHIP

Ending fiscal year numbers for membership was 8,701 vs 7,546 last fiscal year. For over 20 years, 929 members have consecutively supported the Garden and 14 are lifetime members. Gift member-ships increased to 505 vs 379 in 2016. We held four informative Member & Volunteer Orientations and each was well attended. Member benefits included seven surprise pop-up events.

My husband and I moved to the Huntsville area

with three children. The Botanical Garden has been

the perfect welcoming package for us! They continually

provide family fun for each season of the year!

-The Mullin Family

SPECIAL EVENTS

The major exhibit this past year was the return of the very popular Dinosaurs. We created fun events around the exhibit such as the Carnivore Cookout, Dinos & Donuts and Discovering Dinosaur Day Hikes.

We took advantage of one of nature’s most awe-inspiring sights – the solar eclipse in August. We were host to over 400 people who purchased tickets, brought their families, and enjoyed this amazing sight.

We gave back to the community with our Garden Give Back days benefitting, A New Leash on Life, Free 2 Teach, Kids to Love and took certificates for National Public Garden Day.

Our Galaxy of Lights events continue to be very popular. We even added a new one, Bike the Lights! In all, our three Galaxy of Lights events brought in net revenues of almost $40,000.

HORTICULTURE

Vernon Bush, namesake of the Bush Azalea Trail, has been working diligently with a micro-propagator in Georgia to develop tissue culture clones of his favorite azaleas for introduction. One such hybrid azalea was particularly well liked by Harvey Cotten, and is planted at Cotten Cove, an area in the south end of the Bush Azalea Trail dedicated to Harvey. We’ve recently completed the process of naming this azalea and it is with great pride that we recognize Vernon’s efforts and welcome Rhododendron x ‘Harvey Cotten’, officially, to our plant collection.

During 2017 live video Garden Chat Wednesday’s were introduced to promote an educational experience on social media focused on horticulture in your home. Each week an HBG horticulture specialist gives tips on various topics from proper pruning of a Crape Myrtle to selecting a fragrant tree for a winter blooming garden.

EDUCATION

The primary objectives of the education depart-ment are to welcome and encourage people of all ages to visit the Garden for enjoyment and education about plants, their biology, and cultivation and to advance the education and awareness, particularly in children, about biodiversity, horticulture, botany and the environment through the many options and opportunities.

We also expanded our partnership with local Girl Scouts by offering an exclusive week-long summer camp for Daisies and Brownies, we helped them fulfill 7 patch programs while exposing them to the wonder of the Garden. We were even honored to have the CEO of Girl Scouts of the USA, Sylvia Acevedo, visit our camp and meet everyone that participated.

“I just wanted to let you know from a parent’s

perspective how valuable the program is and

thank you all for providing these classes!”

-Lindy Crace, Homeschool Parent

FACILIT Y RENTAL Business Meetings 101Club Meetings 31Wedding & Receptions 60Parties & Luncheons 60

Picnic/Pavilion Events 41 Memorial Service 2 Photo Shoots 30

QUICK FAC TS Attendance: 367,953Memberships: 8,701Volunteers: 2, 800

Full-time Staff: 54New plants: 2,278Corporate Partners: 24

Year Opened: 1988Acreage: 112Board Size: 27

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Non-Profit OrgUS Postage

PAIDPermit No. 110Huntsville, AL

La Foret (Forest)$500,000 & OVER CUMULATIVE LIFETIME GIVING

Alpha Foundation, Inc.Bob and Phylis BaronCity of HuntsvilleJerry and Butch DamsonThe Garden GuildHuntsville Botanical Garden FoundationRoy and Sue NicholsBill and Eloise PropstJohn and Tine PurdySteve and Emily RobertsonMark C. and Linda J. Smith

L’Arbre (Tree)$100,000 - $499,999 CUMULATIVE LIFETIME GIVING

ADTRAN, Inc.The Boeing CompanyBobby A. Bradley and Charley S. BurrussVernon and Dean BushCrestwood Medical CenterDamson AutomotiveThe Daniel Foundation of AlabamaJulian and Dorothy DavidsonDynetics,Inc.Betty R. Grisham Harbarger Landscape DesignMr. and Mrs. James D. HaysHexagon/IntergraphJohn and Teri HollyArnold HornbuckleThe Huntsville TimesJohn and Ruth JurenkoKresge FoundationLaughlin Service Funeral Home and CrematoryHerbert and Terry LewisThe Jane K. Lowe Charitable FoundationMadison County CommissionLonnie and Helen McMillianRobert and Mary Lou McNabbRedstone Federal Credit UnionRegions BankJames and Pam RogersJanice SmithBill and Jeanie SnoddyLoretta SpencerBill StenderTeledyne Brown EngineeringToyota Motor Manufacturing of AlabamaPamela Barratt WhiteCarol Williamson

La Fleur (Flower)$50,000 - $99,999 CUMULATIVE LIFETIME GIVING

Rey and Cynthia AlmodovarAT&TMarc and Sheryl BendicksonCOLSA CorporationCombined Federal CampaignDaylily Garden VolunteersMichael and Leta DeMaioribus

DigiumFirst Commercial BankThornton and Sue FlemingFrank and Patsy HawsSteve and Andrea HillHarold and Brenda HolmesHuntsville Herb SocietyHuntsville-Madison County Builders AssociationThe Olin B. King FoundationL3, Huntsville OperationsJames and Patricia LindbergLockheed Martin CorporationPeter and Jean LouxMadison County Legislative OfficeMaster Gardeners of North AlabamaMcDonnell-Douglas Corp.Lucy MizeNASABill and Josie O’MearaThe Orthopaedic CenterThe Propst FoundationSAICCalame and Dianne SammonsBill and Donna ShergyStanley Smith Horticultural TrustAl and Kathy SullivanJean Wessel TempletonBernhard and Ilse TessmannVertiv Co.Wells Fargo BankJohn B. Winch

La Branche (Branch)$25,000 - $49,999 CUMULATIVE LIFETIME GIVING

4Site, Inc.AEgis TechnologiesAlabama Bureau of Tourism & TravelAmSouth Bank BB&T BankBBVA Compass BankBDM Federal, Inc.Belk, Inc.Bennett NurseriesPhilip and Betty BentleyBotanical Garden Iris SocietyBuffalo Rock Company/Pepsi ColaCALIBRECenter for Sight, PCChick-fil-ACity of MadisonRon and Alice ClementsDaimler ChryslerJerry and Edna DeenerDESE Research, Inc.Philip and Kathleen DottsLu DowneyDunagan Yates & Alison Cosmetic Surgery CenterEstate of Margaret P. PeabodyFountain Parker Harbarger & Associates, Inc.Gothic GuildJim and Mary GriffithThomas and Dale GriggsWilliam and Kathy GurleyJean HairstonRobert and Shirley Hale

Jack and Harvilee HarbargerJohn and Kimberly HartleyHuntsville Fern SocietyHuntsville Twickenham Rose SocietyIBMJacobs Technology, Inc.Harvie and Marilyn JonesRay and Libby JonesSteve and Cheryl KennamerByrd and Rosemary LathamJack and Jean LeeLMIPeter and Betsy LoweMercedes-Benz of HuntsvilleJohn MullinsLoch and Freya NeelyJay and Linda NewkirkNichols Research CorporationThe North Alabama Daylily SocietyCharles and Marcia OverstreetRaytheon Red Wing Shoe StoreJoe and Lana RitchRootmaker Products CompanyRuss Russell Commercial Real EstateMarshall and Lucinda SchreederSCI SystemsLarry and Rebecca SmithRichard G. SmithTennessee Valley AuthorityJim and Carol TevepaughRichard and Brenda TitusUnited Launch AllianceWalmartKevin and Lori WebberLouis and Beverly WeinerWild Birds Unlimited Wildflower Society and FriendsWindow WorldWoody Anderson Ford

La Tronc (Trunk) $10,000 - $24,999 GIVEN IN TEN-YEAR PERIOD

Alabama StrongCharles and Sarah AllenAllied Waste ServicesAnalytical Services, Inc.James and Mary Lib AppleAvion Solutions, Inc.Eleanor S. BakerBancorpSouth, Inc.Bankston Motor Homes, Inc.Berry Land Company, LLCFred and Jo Ann BraamTerry and Jim BradfordBradleyMike and Lynn CardenCepeda Systems & Software AnalysisChampion WindowsWes and Frances ClaytonLynn Collyar and Sarah GreenCommunity Ballet Assoc., Inc.Claudia ConnPhilip and Alison CrosbyMark and Cynthia CurranRoy and Sue DayDoris Burwell Foundation

ERC, Inc.Estate of Nell BraggLarry FultonThomas and Susan GriffithHappy Tails RanchGeorge and Peg HeeschenBarney and Patricia HeywardHighTower TwickenhamBob and Sandy HovdeInfoPro Corporation (IPC)Inline Electric Supply Co., Inc.IntrepidJohnson Controls, Inc.Andrew and Sarah Lauren KattosKeel PointKnologyLanier FordJeffrey Lawrence and Karen WuLG ElectronicsRobert and Julie LockwoodLogiCore CorporationDavid and Michele LucasBob and Cindi LudwigMacAulay-Brown, Inc. (MacB)Nick and Irene MangusMatheny Goldmon Architects + InteriorsDene MathewsPatrick and Imogene McCauleyMcCurdy Animal HospitalWalter and Roxanne MeltonMichael and Jana MoodyJudi MoonMichael and Elizabeth MorardEverett and Dev MosleyAl and Lorraine MullinNational Technical Systems, Inc.John and Martha NelsonNetwork Services & Support, Inc.nLogic, LLCOASYS, Inc.Orbital ATKPediatric Gastroenterology Associates, P.C.Jerre and Jean PenneyThom and Dottye PierceJ. N. PritzkerRain Bird CorporationRedstone VillageRemington Outdoor CompanyRenasant BankRockWood Studios, LLCS3, Inc. Salon AllureSamples PropertiesSara Baker Foundation, Inc.Warren SchoenknechtServis1st BankSESSigmatech, Inc.Spine and Neuro CenterTim and Paula SteigerwaldJay and Elaine StoweKen and Ann TippieAnthony Toney, D.M.D., PCJack and Irma TuderTurner Construction CompanyShannon and Peggy TurneyRichard and Nancy Van ValkenburghVan Valkenburgh & Wilkinson Realtors

Frank VanLandinghamMack & Margaret VannVencoreVenturi, Inc,Cary WalkerWeichert RealtorsRobert and Marilyn WhitefordWillbrook Solutions, Inc.Wendy Wilson and Curt BenzleWiregrass Construction Co., Inc.Keith and Stephanie YoungYulista Mangement, Inc.

La Racine (Root)$5,000 - $9,999 GIVEN IN FIVE-YEAR PERIOD

Accurate Machine and Tool CorporationAECOMAetos Systems, Inc.Alabama Climate ControlAlabama State Council on the ArtsAnne Cary Walker Charitable TrustSudha AlapatiAviagen, Inc.Joseph and Helen BergantzDavid and Jennifer BierBig Spring Environmental LLCBill Penney ToyotaThe Broadway GroupBrockwell Technologies, Inc.Canvas, Inc.Robert and Carol ChurchillCimarron CompositesClearview Cancer InstituteBeverly CordreyEager Beaver Mulch & SawmillEdward JonesEdwards Design & Fabrication, Inc.Conway and Carole Anne EllersFirst Bank Mortgage PartnersMollie and Bradley GarlandGigaparts, Inc.Graham & CompanyRandy and Linda GreenJohn and Rajean GullyPatricia HairMark and Anne HarbargerFrank and Rebecca HayesHuntsville HospitalHuntsville UtilitiesIntuitive Research & Technology CorporationRobert and Margaret JacksonJoseph B. JonesRichard and Joan JonesDavid and Melanie LangfordFred and Alice LanierLoring & Co., Inc.Madison DermatologyMike Murdock and Anne TinkerVardhani MurtyNesin Therapy Services, P.C.Christy B. NickelsonNorthrop Grumman CorporationSteven and Mary Ellen PetersBrian and Kelli PollockProgress BankBob and Janet RevilleKen RivenbarkCharles and Ellen Robinson

Jim and Reba RogersJohn and Flo StallworthStender FoundationSusan StokesNorm and Kathi TewGeorge ThurlowThompson Gray, Inc.Trustmark Wealth ManagementKathleen WaiteWarren Averett CompaniesWavelink, Inc.Jonathan and Karen WhitcombSue WhiteheadStanford and Cathy WilsonWilson Garage Door Company of Huntsville, Inc.Samuel and Angie Yeager

La Graine (Seed)$1,000 - $4,999 GIVEN IN LAST FISCAL YEAR

Action Builders, Inc.Aerojet RocketdyneAlabama Colon & Gastro PCA.J. and Ivy AlbertAll Needz Rental Center Inc.James and Elizabeth AlmTheron and Babette AndersAVISTA Strategies, Inc.Bailey Cove Eye Car, P.C.Jason Banks and April RayRonnie and Biddie BanksElizabeth BaronHarold and Nancy BlanksBlue Cross & Blue Shield of AlabamaBrooke BoenBridgeworth FinancialBrodowski & McCurry, LLCShirley BrownEdna BryanCheryl BurnsHarold and Ann CareyChurch Street Wine ShoppeCOPTCotton RowJames and Sharon CruceJim and Claudia DavisPhillip DeanLinda DedrickDental Professionals on WhitesburgEdward Jones – Andy JohnsonEnvironmental Systems CorporationEwing Irrigation and Landscape SupplyKyle and Luciana FindlayBarbara and Tim FiskFive Stones Research CorporationFred Frost and Miranda Bouldin FrostRon and Cindy GrayTim and Lois GreyParker and Virginia GriffithWalt and Marilyn GrundyPeggy GunterH.C. Blake Co. Inc.Andrew and Amy HamiltonClaude and Karis HarbargerDavid and Amy Harbarger

Herston Paint, Inc.Hollywood FeedThomas and Susan HowsmanVinson and Sharal HuegeleAndrew and Abbiegail HugineRichard and Marilyn HullHuntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureaui3, Inc.Marc and Denise JacobsonBill and Helen JenkinsRebecca Harbor JonesDottie KeeblerClaude and Marta KinzerSandy and Melissa KirkindallRenate Kump and Adrienne EdwardsLearning Express Toys of HuntsvilleRick and Eleanor LoringMeyer and Lee Fine JewelryRobert and Karen MitchellIla MitchumDan and Phyllis MontgomeryBrooks MooreMTSNational Technical Systems, Inc.George and Minnie NealOffice Furniture OutletDonna ParsonsVanessa and Raoul PeedenDan and Soozi PlinePremier Bank of the SouthProject XYZThe Putt Group RE/MAX UnlimitedP. W. and Becky QuinnRadiance Technologies, Inc.Lindsay and Brent RhodesRJYoungChris RobinsonMark and Jennifer RusakRandy and Julie SandsCharles and Patricia SchaferMike and Amanda SegrestSentar, Inc.Raymond and Nancy SheppardJohn ShieldsSouthern States BankLinda SpallaSportsMED Orthopaedic SpecialistsBob and Liz StaggJennifer StephensSummit 7 SystemsSummit Aviation, Inc.Table in the GardenTalbotsLynn ThalerBernard and Mary Anne ThomasJane TroupStuart and Janice TurnerStuart and Jayne VentersElsabe WebsterJuanita WestBob and Barbara WhiteElisabeth WhittenWhole Foods MarketPat WildmanJim and Kim WrightY-Tech Services, Inc.David and Sue Ziegler

Designation is based on giving through fiscal year-end, September 30, 2017.

L’ESPALIER Major Donor Society of the Huntsville-Madison County Botanical Garden L’Espalier - A trellis or other framework on which a tree or shrub is trained to grow. L’espalier is a French word derived from the Italian “spalliera” which means something to rest the shoulder (spalla) against; a support. The purpose of the Society is to honor and recognize the individuals and organizations whose outstanding and cumulative giving provides the framework on which our Garden grows.

4747 Bob Wallace Avenue • Huntsville, Alabama 35805

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

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