Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is a conservatory dedicated to the preservation, restoration, and promotion of native plants. Located in Austin, Texas on 288 acres of land, the center features 9 miles of trails that wind through gardens and natural areas with over 900 species of wildflowers growing.

The mission of the center is to increase public awareness and appreciation of native plants and their environments, inspire conservation action for their protection, provide leadership in research, education and stewardship projects related to native plants and habitats throughout North America.

Visitors can explore botanical gardens featuring dozens of species from across the continent as well as take part in educational programs that focus on identifying local pollinators and understanding how certain native plants help support them. Additionally, the center offers a wide range of volunteer opportunities, lectures, and workshops that focus on local native plant restoration and conservation.

The center also has an online store where visitors can purchase seeds, books, artwork, apparel and other items related to wildflowers and the mission of the center. With these resources available, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is a great place to explore nature and learn more about our local environment.

The center has achieved many accomplishments since its founding in 1982. It was designated as the National Wildflower Research Center by Congress in 1992 and later became part of The University of Texas at Austin in 2006.

In 2019, it was awarded the National Medal for Museum & Library Service from the Institute for Museum & Library Services for its “tireless efforts to inspire people to appreciate and protect our nation’s wildflowers.” The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is an important part of the Austin community, providing a place for people to explore and learn about nature.

It serves as both a research center for native plants and an educational resource for the public. From its trails and gardens to its many programs, the center gives visitors the opportunity to experience wildflowers up close and learn more about their importance in our local ecosystems.

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is also home to several research projects. It houses one of the largest collections of wildflowers on Earth with over 10,000 species of plants from across the continent. Researchers use this collection to study the genetic diversity and adaptations of native plants as well as develop strategies for their conservation and restoration.

The center is also involved in many projects focusing on endangered species including the Houston Toad, Texas Horned Lizard, and Kretschmarr Cave Mold Beetle – all of which are found in Central Texas. These projects help protect these species by studying their habitats and developing plans for their recovery.

By conducting research on local wildflowers, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center helps to ensure that future generations will be able to enjoy and appreciate these amazing plants. Visit today to discover all that it has to offer!