Bellevue Botanical Garden Society

Our adult education program offers a selection of horticultural, gardening, nature, and wellness focused curriculum. We provided 55 adult learning opportunities reaching 2031 individuals through in-person and hybrid programs.

Membership program: our membership program is designed to cultivate new donors and support for the garden. As a free admission garden that is open to the public year-round, we have learned that membership is not about gaining free access, but that sense of supporting this space for the community.

Children's program: our youth and children's program have been a hallmark of our organization for over 30 years. Notably our living lab program that serves the bellevue school district. Living lab is a free 2-hour program to public, private and home schoolers for grades kindergarten through 5th. 47 class sessions, 42 class days offered, 40 class days filled, 8 days had 2 groups simultaneously on the same day, two of those afternoons were off-site at a preschool. One day had two curriculums for a spring break camp (paid). 2,036 students were served by our living lab programs for the 2023-2024 fy. In addition to living lab, we offer a preschool level program called kids in the garden as well as a youth and children's workshops that provide a range of curriculum focused on outdoor activities, horticulture, gardening, and art. 846 youth were served through these program elements. The bulk of our expense is the paid educators who execute the program.

Community events: our annual arts in the garden invites the community to come together to view outdoor garden art and offerings from local vendors. This is a 2-and-a-half-day event every august and is entering its 15th year.

Garden development program: the bellevue botanical garden society and city of bellevue are guided by a master plan and partner to develop the bellevue botanical garden into a resource of regional and international renown. Our garden development committee reviews and approves garden projects. This year's projects were funded by restricted contributions from two donors for a total of $35,700.

Visitor engagement is a new program that was slated to start in the 2023-2024 fy. It was delayed and was initiated in the 2024-2025 fy.

Docent program: volunteer led program that offers interpretational tours of the garden for free. 490 individuals took part in this program. This will become part of the visitor engagement program moving forward as we invest in this area of the programming. Guest services is going to be a priority for us over the coming years.