What’s blooming?   

Much like a thriving plant that is too large for its pot, we have grown beyond our spaces. As our success and programmatic demand continues to soar, we recognize the need to renovate exhibits in our existing conservatory, enhance our outdoor gardens, and expand our campus to meet the needs of our community. By embracing this transformation, our experiences at the Botanical Gardens will Grow Beyond the Glass. With changes inside and outside the conservatory, the exciting addition of state-of-the-art spaces, and accessible and accommodating visitor amenities, this investment ensures we can provide a place for people to connect with plants and have extraordinary experiences for generations to come.

What’s included? 

• Welcome Center — a relocated entrance/admission center
• Learning Lab — two brand-new classrooms
• The Canopy — a beautiful climate-controlled event space
• Atrium — a connection point overlooking the Central Courtyard
• Terrace — a brand new outdoor patio for events
• Solarium — a renovated growhouse for small events
• Horticulture Center — a transformed work space for our horticulturists, gardeners, and volunteers
• Central Courtyard — a lush, new large courtyard
• Outdoor Gardens — over 90,000 sq. feet of renovated landscape and outdoor gardens to enjoy
• Sustainability Initiatives — added solar panels, energy-efficient technologies and design
• Accessibility Initiatives — an accessible entrance with a drop-off circle, visitor lockers, café, expanded gift shop, and many more visitor-friendly amenities

Growing Beyond the Glass means so much more than just a new building.

Our expansion and renovation project will:

1. Meet the needs of our community by:
   • Creating more accessible spaces
   • Providing comfort and functionality for the high demand of field trips and private events
2. Provide extraordinary experiences and further our mission through:
   • Enhanced visitor experience
   • Modern event spaces
   • Enhanced exhibitions
3. Create generational growth and stability through:
   • Engaging educational spaces
   • Eco-conscious design
   • Exhibit interpretation
   • Horticultural support

Want to make history?

We’re so close to making this vision a reality, but we need YOU to help us cross the finish line! We’re rallying together to raise the final $2 million needed to complete this project, and every dollar counts.

Consider making a $125 donation in honor of our 125th Anniversary! No amount is too small!

This is not just a renovation; it’s a celebration of growth.

Thank you to our generous supporters and partners

We are grateful and honored to have the support at both the federal and local levels as well as the incredible foundations and individuals that share our vision for this project. Thank you to Empire State Development, New York State, Erie County, NYS Assemblyman Pat Burke, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, Dormitory Authority of the State of New York, Margaret L. Wendt Foundation, John R. Oishei Foundation, KeyBank, M&T Bank, Ann Swan, Congressman Timothy M. Kennedy, New York State Assemblymember Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes, and all of our friends and donors.

Meet Our Visionary Partners

We are proud to work closely on this project with Erie County, Wendel Companies; Architect and Engineer of Record, and Turner Construction. Together, we share an awe-inspiring vision. This team of experts is creative, innovative, environmentally, and financially conscious. We are turning our dreams into reality with a welcoming and artful structure that seamlessly blends our history with our future.