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. The Philippines...

After months of planning and hard work by many, we must regretfully cancel our 2019 Vine to Table Award Dinner and Fundraiser due to the high probability of severe storms with hail . Our heartfelt thanks to all of our patrons for their generous support. Please consider joining our online auction, which is live and will continue until Wednesday , April 17, 8:30 pm: https://one.bidpal.net/vinetotable/welcome Thank you. Event Planning Committee

FORT WORTH, Texas -- The Botanical Research Institute of Texas and UNT Health Science Center have entered into an agreement to collaborate on research, educational activities and community programs. The memorandum of understanding is a great opportunity that benefits both institutions, said Ed Schneider, PhD, BRIT’s President and Executive Director. With more than 1.5 million species of plants, endless volumes of books and a large collection of illustrations, BRIT provides a rare opportunity for UNTHSC’s medical and pharmaceutical students, Dr. Schneider said. Both institutions are expected to benefit from sharing research as well as having access to lab space, facilities and scientific equipment, said Robert McClain, PhD., Associate Vice President for Research & Innovation at UNTHSC. The...

Expanded Partnership Based on Previous GROW Initiative Success Over the past year, the Botanical Research Institute of Texas ( BRIT®) and the Fort Worth Botanic Garden have combined their education and volunteer efforts to launch new and innovative programming. The partnership — called GROW — has resulted in new opportunities for students, families, and adults, including Family Exploration Saturdays, Spring Break Family Camps, Come & Grow Field Study Trips for schools, botanical art for children, and a variety of botanically related classes and workshops for adults. GROW currently includes joint programming for the two facilities and a combined volunteer program. As part of an expanded partnership, the Botanic Garden and BRIT will now begin selling joint memberships to encourage community...

Agreement creates global competition platform that enhances visibility of the global wine industry’s commitment to sustainability FORT WORTH, Texas (February 26, 2019) The Botanical Research Institute of Texas (BRIT) is excited to announce a new partnership with Paris-based FIVS , a global organization designed to serve the wine, spirits, and beer sectors, to broaden and expand BRIT’s unique international sustainable winegrowing competition and award. Originally created in 2010, BRIT’s award honors wine organizations that take a leading role in implementing sustainable practices. It is the only international sustainable winegrowing competition and award of its kind. The first FIVS/BRIT co-branded international competition is scheduled for 2020. Under the terms of the agreement, FIVS will c...

E. & J. Gallo Winery receives gold award for excellence in multi-brand, sustainable winegrowing programs Additional wineries from Portugal, Italy 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 Casa Ferreirinha, a Portuguese reference brand in Douro Wines, as its platinum medal winner in BRIT’s 2019 International Award of Excellence in Sustainable Winegrowing competition. Casa Ferreirinha topped the field this year based on the winery’s ongoing sustainable programs that address both the three key factors of sustainability – environmental, economic, and social aspects -- as well as superior wine taste. Five additional wineries - two from the U.S., two from I...

New state-of-the-art facility will be a plant research and teaching center for Texas universities and public school programs FORT WORTH, Texas (December 6, 2018) Doors opened today for the new Botanical Research Institute of Texas (BRIT) George C. and Sue W. Sumner Molecular and Structural Laboratory, adding unique dimension and depth to research education programs in plant systematics, or the biological classification of plants. T he facility will house advanced molecular-level tools allowing BRIT’s plant scientists to conduct research and train the next generation of botanists who will answer fundamental questions about plant diversity and help solve environmental challenges. A ceremonial ribbon-cutting ceremony with remarks from local leaders marked today’s occasion just months after an...

Ms. Eckler comes to BRIT after development posts at UTA’s College of Science and Samaritan House FORT WORTH, Texas – The Botanical Research Institute of Texas (BRIT) announce Christie Eckler as its new Vice President for Advancement. Ms. Eckler brings more than 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector to BRIT’s newly named Advancement Department, where she will oversee development, fundraising, membership, and marketing programs and help to guide the Institute into its next phase of growth. Most recently, Ms. Eckler served as Development Director for UTA’s College of Science. Prior to her foray into the university setting, Ms. Eckler demonstrated great success in the philanthropic side of social service. In the last ten years, she has raised more than $20 million federally and privat...