Established in 1992, the Friends is a 800-member nonprofit 501(c)(3) whose mission is to advocate, promote and raise funds for the Gardens from citizens on the university campus, in the community, and across the state.

Over 50 programs are planned for 2008. The year’s calendar appears in The Garden Post of February 2008 (PDF file). Programs include tours and lectures that are free and open to the public as well as educational events offered through the university non-credit and certificate programs. Instructors and experts who lead our educational courses donate their services so that all proceeds of courses can benefit the Gardens.

For a full report on awards, accomplishments, and activities of both Friends and Gardens, please see our 2007 Annual Report, also in our newsletter The Garden Post of February 2008 (PDF file).

Support for the University Gardens as a public garden comes from Friends’ members, sponsors and donors. Students who work and learn in the University Gardens—which serve as their primary outdoor laboratory—are enrolled in the public horticulture and landscape design/construction concentrations of the UT Plant Sciences Department. The Friends are proud to have supported undergraduate and graduate student internships for most of the history of the Gardens. We plan to continue to increase our level of support for the Gardens every year. In 2008, the Friends are committed to providing over $100,000 in direct funding for the Gardens.

In 2007, the Friends developed a strategic vision for focusing and improving our support of the Gardens. We are actively developing plans to assist in the very bright future we envision for the University Gardens in the next 2, 5 and 10 years. In addition, we participate as project coordinators in renovations such as the Friendship Plaza and the Children’s Marble Touchstone Table Garden.

To join the Friends in helping to develop and sustain this campus, community, and statewide resource, please become a member at the highest level possible. There are many other ways to help—as sponsors, donors and volunteers.   The brochure “How Can You Help?” (PDF) describes a number of alternatives to determine a “best fit” for donors to the Gardens. Please call or email and we will be happy to speak with you.

A number of gift items available online—and also at Blooms Days every year—are essential to our mission of promoting and raising funds for the Gardens. See the Gardening Guide and Donald B. Williams Botanical Collection. We are very fortunate to have these items—developed in collaboration with Mrs. Donald (Sue) Williams and Mrs. Karen Petrey, and the Knoxville Watercolor Society, respectively—available for purchase for the benefit of the Gardens.

We are always seeking community-minded, generous, talented, and hardworking nominees for our standing committees and Board—both the elected Board of Directors and the appointed Board of Advisors. Please let us know if you are interested in participating at this level of commitment.

Major fundraising events include both the Secret Gardens and Blooms Days. 
All proceeds from both benefit the University of Tennessee Gardens.

Gardens

The mission of the University of Tennessee Gardens includes education, research and outreach. Established in 1983, the Gardens will celebrate their 25th anniversary in 2008.

The Gardens are located on the campus of the East Tennessee Research and Education Center of the Tennessee Agricultural Experiment Station off Neyland Drive in Knoxville, Tennessee. They are free and open to the public Free parking is available adjacent to the Gardens. Spaces are usually available for larger parties on weekends and weekday evenings. If no parking spaces are available at the time you choose to come, please drive to Morgan Hall to obtain a parking pass, or arrange for parking in advance by contacting Jerri A. (Arlene) King (jaking@utk.edu) in historic Morgan Hall at 865-974-7439. See map below for locations.

(Click the map image below to enlarge it in a new browser window.)



Thank you for visiting and supporting the University of Tennessee Gardens.

Tour the Gardens online today!