Texas botanists will collaborate with other U.S. institutions and international personnel to conduct research in threatened forests of Southeast Asia. FORT WORTH, Texas (August 28, 2018) – Researchers at the Botanical Research Institute of Texas (BRIT®) have received a $1.3 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to conduct a project titled “Plant Discovery in the Southern Philippines.” Dr. Peter Fritsch, BRIT’s Vice President of Research, will head the team as Principal Investigator with co-Principal Investigators Dr. Taylor Quedensley (BRIT), Dr. Darin Penneys (University of North Carolina at Wilmington), and Dr. Daniel Nickrent (Southern Illinois University Carbondale). The project begins this month and field expeditions will begin in the spring of 2019. [ Update, 08-Fe...

Sean Kenney’s Nature Connects Made with LEGO ® Bricks , an award-winning and record-breaking exhibition that uses beautiful works of art made from simple toy blocks to explore animal endangerment, the balance of ecosystems, and humanity’s relationship with nature is coming to the Fort Worth Botanic Garden | Botanical Research Institute of Texas (FWBG|BRIT) from May 6 through Aug. 1, 2021. Produced by Imagine Exhibitions , Nature Connects depicts important topics that the New York artist Sean Kenney holds dear, from protecting an animal's habitat, to planting a garden, or showcasing a beautiful orchid – subject matter with particular appeal to gardens. “Through captivating art with an educational message, Nature Connects creates yet another way for visitors to experience the Botanic Garden,...

The Fort Worth Botanic Garden | Botanical Research Institute of Texas (FWBG|BRIT) invites visitors to the inaugural “Spring Market in the Garden” May 2 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event offered throughout the combined campus includes the annual Spring Sip and Shop, a new Tea and Coffee Festival, and a free Afternoon in the Garden (12 p.m. – 2 p.m.). With numerous local artisans, food trucks, live music and more, this indoor-outdoor event is enhanced by the full-bloom beauty of spring in Fort Worth. “Spring Market in the Garden is the perfect place to shop, eat, and enjoy the blooming garden landscape,” says FWBG|BRIT Assistant Director Bob Byers. “Support your local artisans, social distance, and sip on a favorite beverage while exploring our other exhibits, such as Stickwork by Patrick Dou...

Nationally acclaimed artist Patrick Dougherty finished his latest Stickwork sculpture in February and today, the Fort Worth Botanic Garden | Botanical Research Institute of Texas (FWBG|BRIT) and local video production company EC Films release “ Stickman ,” a five-minute documentary short film tracing the exhibition’s installation to completion. The large outdoor sculpture located in the Fuller Garden took three weeks from start to completion, a timeline that included Fort Worth’s February deep freeze event. “We were amazed at Patrick’s dedication to his art, his physical stamina during extremely cold temperatures and his ability to keep on schedule, finishing the sculpture on time,” said FWBG|BRIT Assistant Director Bob Byers. “Through the interconnectedness of art and nature, the Stickwor...

The Fort Worth Botanic Garden | Botanical Research Institute of Texas (FWBG|BRIT) i nvites visitors to celebrate spring in the Japanese Garden while exploring the arts and culture of Japan during the March 27-28 Spring Japanese Festival. Tickets go on sale today at: https://www.fwbg.org/events/springfestival Hosted in cooperation with the Fort Worth Japanese Society , the festival includes cultural demonstrations, performances, unique shopping opportunities and traditional foods. Japanese Society member Harvey Yamagata says this year’s zodiac symbol represents a new perspective from last year’s Year of the Rat.“ We look to 2021 and the Year of the Ox as a sign of new hope, new prosperity and new wellness,” Yamagata said. “With emerging foliage, warmer weather and the chance to be in beauti...

The Fort Worth Botanic Garden | Botanical Research Institute of Texas (FWBG|BRIT) offers a Spring Plant Sale April 9 through April 11 – online only. Stock up on spring plants while taking advantage of Garden professional consultations if needed. Members have access to a preview sale April 7-8 as well as a 10 percent discount on their purchase. Order pick-up dates are April 16 through April 18. “The spring sale is a community favorite for area residents who appreciate our plant selection and friendly advice,” said Bob Byers, VP of horticulture and assistant director. “This year, it’s also an opportunity to replace some of the plants that didn’t survive the February hard freeze.” To ensure guest safety, the plant sale is offered again virtually. Shoppers will select plants online, and, at ch...

FORT WORTH, Texas (February 23, 2021) — The Fort Worth Botanic Garden | Botanical Research Institute of Texas (FWBG | BRIT) announces Patrick Newman as its new CEO and president effective May 1, replacing current president, Ed Schneider, PhD, who is retiring to California. Newman brings more than 14 years of public gardens experience, serving most recently as executive director of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center since 2016, overseeing a $5 million annual budget and supervising a staff of 60 employees and 800 volunteers. Under his direction, the Center increased earned and contributed income, added to its endowment and dramatically increased annual attendance. “Patrick is the right leader at the right time as we transition toward becoming a world-class botanical organization,” said...

FORT WORTH, Texas (January 19, 2021) — The Fort Worth Botanic Garden | Botanical Research Institute of Texas (FWBG|BRIT) recently received two National Science Foundation (NSF) grants totaling $1.9 million to support botanists and their research teams in plant diversity studies at home and abroad. A team led by Research Botanist Alejandra Vasco will receive $1.1 million to study the diversity of ferns in Colombia. A second team, led by Vice President of Research and Director of the Herbarium Peter Fritsch, will receive about $780,000 over three years to study North American blueberries. “These grants are an endorsement by the NSF of the excellent reputations of our scientists and the quality of their research,” said President and Executive Director Ed Schneider. “Both of these projects see...