FORT WORTH, Texas (May 8, 2018) Dr. Ed Schneider, BRIT’s executive director and president, was presented with the Center of Plant Conservation’s prestigious Star Award during the organization's national meeting held at BRIT on Thursday, May 3, 2018. The award is presented annually by the executive members of the Center of Plant Conservation (CPC) to select individuals who have shown a long-term commitment to the conservation of flora of the United States. The CPC lists 4,400 rare and endangered plant species in the U.S. and Canada. Through its members, more than 1,400 (roughly one-third) of the endangered plants are now in conservation collections. Throughout Dr. Schneider’s 30-year career as a botanical teacher, researcher, and executive administrator, he has worked to save many of the pl...

FORT WORTH, Texas (May 2, 2018) The Botanical Research Institute of Texas is pleased to announce that it is hosting the Center for Plant Conservation’s 2018 national meeting May 3 – 5, 2018 on the BRIT campus. The three-day conference brings together the leaders in plant conservation from the Center for Plant Conservation (CPC) participating institutions to share and learn cutting-edge science and technology used to save plants. Sessions will include presentations from CPC member institutions and network partners on plant conservation accomplishments and challenges. Widely regarded as the center for information about the plants of Texas, BRIT joined the CPC in 2016 as a participating institution, one of four in the state of Texas. Other Texas members include: Mercer Arboretum (Houston), Sa...

Event Celebrates National Public Gardens Day, Kicks Off Mother’s Day Weekend What better way to celebrate National Public Gardens Day on May 11 than with a springtime “Lunch in the Garden” from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. This free event open to the public is hosted by Fort Worth Botanic Garden and the Botanical Research Institute of Texas (BRIT®). “We want to encourage folks to take a mid-day break, get out of their offices or homes, and experience one of Fort Worth’s most beautiful attractions during the loveliest time of the year,” said Bob Byers, Botanic Garden director. “With many of the gardens in full bloom, it’s a visually stunning time to enjoy the Garden.” The event commemorates National Public Gardens Day, drawing attention to our nation's public gardens, which include botanical gardens,...

Fort Worth, Texas (February 2, 2018) — The Botanical Research Institute of Texas (BRIT) and Fort Worth Botanic Garden have joined forces, combining their education and volunteer efforts to launch a new, innovative partnership called GROW. Both organizations will introduce the GROW collaborative to the public during Growing in the Garden Day, a free event at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden campus from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 3. During the three-hour, come-and-go event, families will have the opportunity to experience programs the new collaborative will offer and to enjoy activities for all ages, such as art in the garden, a scavenger hunt, story time with nature, and composting activities, to name a few. “Our GROW team is eager to reveal the spring education and volunteer opportun...

E. & J. Gallo Winery receives special gold corporate-wide sustainable winegrowing award Three additional wineries from Argentina and the U.S. receive medals for their outstanding ground-to-glass sustainability programs FORT WORTH, Texas – The Botanical Research Institute of Texas (BRIT®) is pleased to announce the winners in its 2018 International Award of Excellence in Sustainable Winegrowing competition. The platinum medal goes to Alexander Valley Vineyards (AVV) of Healdsburg, California, based on the winery’s on-going sustainable programs that address the three elements of sustainability: environmental, economic, social – and the Vineyard’s wine taste. AVV is one of an elite group of wineries recognized as a Bay Area Green Business. They became a member of the California Sustainable Wi...

The two conservation organizations will work together protecting and safeguarding rare and endangered native Texas plants and promoting the value of biodiversity and natural resources to the public. FORT WORTH, Texas (November 14, 2017) – The Botanical Research Institute of Texas and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department expand areas of their collaboration with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) formalizing the two organizations’ commitment to plant conservation, exploration, and education. The MOU creates a collaborative working relationship that advances plant conservation and programs that will educate the public about the importance of maintaining wild spaces for the health and well-being of people in Texas. Included in the agreement, both organizations will Support t...

Students in TCU’s College of Science & Engineering and College of Education will study and work with BRIT’s plant science Ph.D.s to fulfill degree requirements FORT WORTH, Texas (September 25, 2017) – The Botanical Research Institute of Texas and Texas Christian University announce an education and research partnership that enhances and expands the University’s delivery of its undergraduate and graduate programs. Undergraduate and graduate students in TCU’s College of Science & Engineering and College of Education will work with BRIT’s Ph.D. botanists and research staff performing plant science and field research to help satisfy their degree requirements. “BRIT’s unique experiential learning coupled with its research labs and herbarium add a new learning dimension to our educational progra...

- Wednesday, September 27, at the Worthington Renaissance Hotel - BRIT celebrates three decades by honoring three Texas originals. Join us as we present our 2017 International Award of Excellence in Conservation to J. David Bamberger and Selah, Bamberger Ranch Preserve; Frank Yturria and the Frank Yturria Family Ranch; and the Texas Christian University Ranch Management Program. Tables and tickets are available. Click here to see BRIT's 2017 Conservation Award Video