Jacksonville News

Jacksonville Arboretum Receives Historic $1 Million Grant from the River Branch Foundation

Arboretum to use the funds to enhance the visitor experience, continue
environmental conservation
JACKSONVILLE, FLA. (Aug. 6, 2024) – 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 November 15,
2008. A short walk on the property confirms JABG’s commitment to the rebirth and growth of
this property, with the generous 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, visit jacksonvillearboretum.org. For major gift inquiries,
email Michelle Beers, director of philanthropy, at michelleb@jacksonvillearboretum.org.
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About the Jacksonville Arboretum & Botanical Gardens
The Jacksonville Arboretum & Botanical Gardens is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a
mission to cultivate understanding and wonder by engaging the community through the natural
beauty of Northeast Florida. The 136 acres that comprise the Jacksonville Arboretum &
Botanical Gardens are unique in that there are 13 distinct ecosystems within its boundaries. Over
three miles of award-winning trails traverse these richly diverse habitats, which include
freshwater and tidal marshes, upland hardwood forest, pine flatwoods and dry prairie,
bottomland forest and live oak hammock. Woven in this rich diversity, the Arboretum offers
beautifully curated botanical gardens, ranging from the rich greens of a Fernery to the bright
florals of a Pollinator Garden. Alongside these unique natural attractions, the Jacksonville
Arboretum & Botanical Gardens attracts visitors through annual special events and educational
programs. Conveniently located off the Monument Road exit on I-295 in East Arlington, the park
is open to the public seven days a week. For more information, visit jacksonvillearboretum.org
or email info@jacksonvillearboretum.org.