Read more about our Conservation Partner, Texas Botanical Gardens and Native American Interpretive Center, in this blog post: Conservation Partner: Texas Botanical Gardens – Texan By Nature

Project Summary:

The Texas Botanical Gardens & Native American Interpretive Center was established as a nonprofit organization in 2004 to develop and operate a community cultural and educational facility. Texan by Nature was proud to support the development and opening of the Texas Botanical Gardens in Goldthwaite, Texas in 2014. This project is the product of a decade-long effort by leaders in this rural Central Texas community of 2,000 people. The Texas Botanical Gardens focus on native plants and waterways, Native American life, and archaeology. 

The Texas Botanical Gardens and Native American Interpretive Center is an interactive and educational landscape featuring native plants and interpretive stations describing the lives of indigenous Texans 10–12,000 years ago. Drew Patterson Studios consulted in planning the gardens and was responsible for content development, design, fabrication, and installation of the interpretive elements of the gardens. Drew Patterson Studios and the Texas Botanical Gardens worked closely with the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian on this project. 

“Texan by Nature is one of the strongest partnerships that The Texas Botanical Gardens & Native American Interpretive Center has. I feel that your powerful influence and the stamp of validation from you has assisted our progress immeasurably.”

– JAN FISCHER, Executive Director, Texas Botanical Gardens

Project Mission: 

Texas Botanical Gardens and Native American Interpretive Center’s mission is to provide a dynamic, interactive, life-long learning experience while identifying and preserving the prehistoric and environmental aspects of this rural region of Texas. In the gardens, you will find a complete ecosystem like you would have seen thousands of years ago along the Colorado River in Mills County, Texas. The Native American Interpretive Center exhibits Indigenous Texans’ use of local plants and waterways and the impact the natural environment had on their social, spiritual, and cultural lives. 

Project Impact:

This project enhances conservation education opportunities, stimulates tourism, and brings vital jobs to the community. Texan by Nature partnered with project leaders to provide visibility, resources, and expertise to help this project succeed. Former First Lady Laura Bush served as the keynote speaker at the grand opening ceremony on October 11, 2014. 

In addition to the native plants garden and interactive exhibits, Texas Botanical Gardens and Native American Interpretive Center leads the Wranglers for Soil Health initiative. This project uses soil and water resources to teach others about the five principles of soil health and the soil web process. By understanding the soil, water, and physical and chemical weathering processes, the community will learn to manage and sustain flora and fauna for many generations to come. The Center is also developing a demonstration garden with all native and pollinator-friendly landscaping and equipped with rain catchment systems. This garden, which will be complete in 2024 at the latest, will serve as a model for visitors to bring conservation practices to their own gardens.