The Jacksonville Arboretum & Botanical Gardens (JABG) has received a $1 million grant from the River Branch Foundation, marking a significant milestone in the organization’s growth and commitment to environmental stewardship.
This transformative grant, the largest in JABG's history, will propel the organization’s goals in cultivating a thriving green space and educating the community on the importance of environmental conservation.
“This grant represents a turning point for JABG, and we are incredibly grateful to the River Branch Foundation for their visionary support,” said JABG Executive Director Dana Doody. “With this crucial funding, we are well-positioned to become a leader in environmental education and to serve as a family-friendly green space for all Jacksonville residents to enjoy.”
The grant will empower JABG to focus on several key initiatives aimed at enhancing the visitor experience and strengthening JABG’s environmental impact, including investing in essential maintenance equipment, enhancing visitor accessibility, improving security measures and hiring additional necessary staff.
Most importantly, funding from this grant will also contribute to JABG’s sustainability as an organization, including enhancements of events at JABG such as Glowing Gardens, the organization’s new and improved annual light show.
“The arboretum has gained incredible momentum over the past few years, and it is great to see the support coming from the community,” District 2 Councilman Mike Gay said. “I’m eager to see how the nonprofit organization will continue to progress, especially with this generous support from the River Branch Foundation.”
Given its history, the growth of JABG has been undeniable. Between the 1940s and 1960s, large tracts of the Regency area were mined of the minerals used to make titanium, leaving the property that is now JABG with very little remaining vegetation. Following this, the property was acquired by the City of Jacksonville to provide a buffer zone between the JEA wastewater plant and the residential neighborhoods to the east.
For the following 30 years, the property began to regrow vegetation and wildlife, and was officially leased to JABG, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, in 2006, with intent to develop, operate and maintain the property. The Jacksonville Arboretum & Botanical Gardens officially opened to the public on Nov. 15, 2008.
A short walk on the property confirms JABG’s commitment to the rebirth and growth of this property, with support from the River Branch Foundation marking a new turning point for the organization — accelerating its mission to cultivate understanding and wonder by engaging the community through the natural beauty of Northeast Florida.
For more information about JABG, go to jacksonvillearboretum.org. For major gift inquiries, email Michelle Beers, director of philanthropy, at michelleb@jacksonvillearboretum.org.
