Explore, Discover & Engage
Welcome to the Fort Worth Botanic Garden, the iconic living museum, family destination, educational institution, and research center. The new organization brings together BRIT’s fundraising, education, and world-class research capabilities with the Garden’s historically significant grounds, event facilities, and horticultural expertise. Together, FWBG will create one of the leading public gardens in America.
Our Mission
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
Our Vision reflects our highest aspirations:
To be renowned globally and treasured locally for exceptional and influential research, horticulture, and education.
Our History
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.
BRIT’s Role in Garden Stewardship
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.
Facts
Our Leadership
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Patrick Newman
President & CEO
Administration Leadership
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Bob Byers
Vice President of Special Projects
Administration Leadership
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Ashton Faulds
Vice President of Marketing & Communications
Leadership Marketing & Communications
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Peter Fritsch, Ph.D.
Vice President of Research & Conservation
Leadership Research & Collections
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Sara Richardson, CFRE
Vice President for Advancement
Advancement Leadership
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Amy T. Hollenshead
Vice President of Learning & Engagement
Leadership Learning & Engagement
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Stephanie Sellers
Senior Director of Guest Experience
Guest Services Leadership
BRIT Foundation Board of Directors
Mr. Ed Bass
Service start: 2017
Director
Company: President, Fine Line, Inc.
Mr. Aaron Bigbee
Service start: 2025
Director
Company: Chief Investment Officer, Rainwater Charitable Foundation
Mr. James Day
Service start: 2020
Board Secretary
Company: Commercial Banking Manager, FW Region Amegy Bank of Texas
Mr. Charles Denison
Service start: 2021
Board President
Company: Senior Portfolio Manager, Argent Financial Group, Inc.
Ms. Becky Grimmer
Service start: 2022
Director
Company: Chief Financial Officer, All Saints’ Episcopal School of Fort Worth
Mr. Bond Malone
Service start: 2022
Director
Company: Chief Financial Officer, Folsom Point Companies
APPOINTEES
Ms. Keri Barfield
Service start: 2025
Treasurer*
Company: Chief Financial Officer, Fort Worth Botanic Garden
Ms. Hannah Rodriguez
Service start: 2025
Assistant Secretary*
Company: Executive Assistant, Fort Worth Botanic Garden
*Non-voting member
BRIT Operating Board of Directors
Mr. John Avila
Service start: 2025
Committee Chair: Advancement
Compay: Chairman, Thos S. Byrne LTD
Mr. Ed Bass
Service start: 1995
Board Vice Chairperson Finance & Audit Committee
Company: President, Fine Line, Inc.
Mr. Billy Brentlinger
Service start: 2013
Imm. Past Chair
Company: Founder, Advanced Growers Solutions
Mr. Greg Fitzgerald
Service start: 2024
Committee Chair: Education
Company: Community Volunteer
Mr. Craig Hamilton
Service start: 1996
Board Treasurer
Company: Community Volunteer
Mr. Mike Malone
Service start: 2020
Committee Chair: Nominating & Governance
Company: Shareholder, Greenberg Traurig, LLP.
Ms. Estela Martinez
Service start: 2023
Committee Chair: Marketing
Company: Dir. Leisure Sales & Hispanic Partnerships, Visit Fort Worth
Ms. Kristy Odom
Service start: 2023
Board Chairperson
Company: Community Volunteer
Ms. Debbie Reynolds
Service start: 2021
Committee Chair: Horticulture
Company: Community Volunteer
Mr. Terry Siegel
Service start: 2016
Committee Chair: Facilities & Operations
Company: President/CEO, Ventamatic, Ltd.
Mr. William Welder
Service start: 2020
Board Secretary
Company: Founding Principal, Scissortail Group
Mrs. Amy Allen
Service start: 2025
Director
Company: Partner, Whitley Penn
Mr. Andrew Allsup
Service start: 2025
Director
Company: Associate, 2112 Capital
Mr. Brad Barnes
Service start: 2010
Director
Company: President & General Manager, Southwestern Exposition & Livestock Show
Mr. Greg Bird
Service start: 2011
Director
Company: President, Jetta Operating Co., Inc.
Mr. Steve Brauer
Service start: 2021
Director
Company: Executive Vice President, Hunter Engineering
Mr. Kacey Cornelius
Service start: 2021
Director
Company:SVP Commercial Banking, Frost Bank
Ms. Elizabeth Cornelsen
Service start: 2023
Director
Company: Community Volunteer
Mr. Jon Cranz
Service start: 2024
Director
Company: Partner, Kelly Hart & Hallman LLP
Dr. Nowell Donovan
Service start: 2006
Director Emeritus*
Company: Adjunct Professor, Texas Christian University
Mr. Bourke Harvey
Service start: 2024
Director
Company: President, Harvey Holdings
Dr. Doc Holliday
Service start: 2025
Director
Company: Doctor of Dental Medicine, Owner, Let it Shine Dental
Ms. Carole Jordan
Service start: 2025
Director
Company: Retired Vice President/Co-Founder, Mozzarella Company
Mr. Clark Kemble
Service start: 2023
Director
Company: Managing Partner, Mediserv
Ms. Gail Landreth
Service start: 2024
Director
Company: Community Volunteer, Fort Worth Garden Club
Mrs. Elizabeth McCarthy
Service start: 2025
Director
Company: Community Volunteer
Ms. Jesica McEachern
Service start: 2024
Advisory Director*
Company: Assistant City Manager, City of Fort Worth
Mr. Derick Mesch
Service start: 2025
Director
Company: Managing Partner, Mesch, PLLC
Ms. Debbie Morrison
Service start: 2025
Director
Company: Community Volunteer
Capt. Bob O’Kennon
Service start: 1995
Director Emeritus*
Company: Community Volunteer
Mr. Pat Reddell
Service start: 2021
Director
Company: Senior Portfolio Manager, Senior Vice President, The Money-Sense Team at Morgan Stanley
Ms. Elizabeth Waddill
Service start: 2023
Director
Company: Community Volunteer
*Non-voting member
BRIT Landowner Board of Directors
Ms. Colleen Blair
Service start: 2024
Board President
Company: Community Volunteer
Mr. Craig Elam
Service start: 2024
Board Secretary
Company: Community Volunteer
Ms. Mary Keller
Service start: 2024
Vice President
Company: Community Volunteer
Mr. Richard Zavala
Service start: 2018
Advisory Director*
Company: Director of Parks & Recreation Department, City of Fort Worth
APPOINTEES
Ms. Keri Barfield
2025
Treasurer*
Company: Chief Financial Officer, Fort Worth Botanic Garden
Ms. Hannah Rodriguez
2025
Assistant Secretary*
Company: Executive Assistant, Fort Worth Botanic Garden
*Non-voting member
Visit Us
Take a stroll through our beautiful 120-acre campus.
The Garden is open seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with the last admission an hour before closing. The last photography pass is sold two hours before closing.
