Fort Worth considers handing management of nature center to garden nonprofit

Fort Worth considers handing management of nature center to garden nonprofit

The Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge, pictured in June 2021, was envisioned by a group of environmental activists in the early 1960s. Today, it spans 3,650 acres near Lake Worth. (Cristian ArguetaSoto | Fort Worth Report)
” data-medium-file=”https://fortworthreport.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/CAS_Nature_Center-26.jpg?fit=300%2C240&ssl=1″ data-large-file=”https://fortworthreport.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/CAS_Nature_Center-26.jpg?fit=780%2C624&ssl=1″ tabindex=”0″ role=”button”>Fort Worth officials are discussing the possibility of handing off management of the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge to the nonprofit Botanical Research Institute of Texas. The potential management switch was made public during an Oct. 8 City Council meeting, where Patrick Newman, CEO and president of BRIT and the Fort Worth Botanic Garden, said BRIT leaders are “very eager” to join in managing the nature center. BRIT has managed the botanic garden since October 2020, when Fort Worth City Council members officially handed off daily operations and fundraising to the institute while allowing the city to retain ownership of the property. The decision to create a public-private partnership came in response to the garden’s annual $1.2 million budget deficit, declining attendance and soaring maintenance costs. Since then, the garden saw a 215% increase in attendance from fiscal years 2020 to 2023 and brought in $6.4 million in revenue last year.BRIT has now become interested in partnering with the nature center with the intent to address the “biodiversity crisis,” an area of focus for the research institute, Newman said. One out of three plant species is threatened with extinction, and those species contribute to food supply and potential medicines, according to Newman. “The work that’s happening at the nature center is sort of hand in glove with what we’re trying to do at BRIT,” said Newman. BRIT showed its ability to “up the game” at the botanic garden, prompting city officials to explore the idea of also placing management of the nature center into the organization’s hands, Deputy City Manager Mark McDaniel said in an interview with the Report. “I think that BRIT has certainly shown their ability to be a good partner and deliver on what they say they can do,” said McDaniel. Heightened awareness around green space in Fort Worth is also encouraging the city to have these discussions, McDaniel added. Last year, Mayor Mattie Parker introduced Good Natured, a greenspace initiative aiming to preserve at least 10,000 acres of open space in Fort Worth by 2028. “I’m looking at all opportunities to really look at our green space in a different way,” said McDaniel. “I don’t think that there’s a foregone conclusion here. I think that it needs to be the right business decision for both BRIT and the city. I think it’s worth exploring.”Newman described the possible change in management as a “transformational” move in terms of conservation efforts and a success for the city. As for changes to expect, BRIT would aim to elevate the status of the nature center by bringing its expertise in education, research and horticulture. The nature center, currently managed by the city’s parks department, already offers programming such as its outreach programs and guided hikes and field experiences. Newman honed in on the idea of making educational programs more accessible. Programs hosted at the garden would be extended to the nature center, supporting the curriculum and education of students. “That’s just one example of many things that we’ll be able to do,” said Newman. “I think as we match research and conservation efforts, the sky’s the limit.”McDaniel said the city is weighing a “full range of options” to determine if BRIT will fully manage the nature center’s facility or take the lead solely on research efforts.The city and BRIT will continue conversations surrounding the potential partnership and aim to make final decisions by early 2025, according to McDaniel.Nicole Lopez is the environmental reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact her at nicole.lopez@fortworthreport.org. At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here.

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