OUTDOOR CONCER T SERIES 2026
Lineup to be announced on April 7
Wave One
Member Presale
Online only: April 20, 7pm
In person: April 21, 9am
Public On Sale April 24 at 10am
Wave Two
Member Presale
Online only: April 27, 7pm
In person: April 28, 9am
Public On Sale May 1 at 10am
Buy or renew a Garden-Flex level or above membership by April 19 to participate in the member-only presales.
Get Tickets Now!
June 11
The Human League Generations Tour
Presented by
Annual Spring Plant Sale & Fundraiser
Sharing Our Garden with Yours! Welcome the planting season and support Red Butte Garden and Arboretum.
Member benefit day Friday, May 8, 1-8pm
Timed-entry registration required.
Open to the public Saturday, May 9, 9am-3pm Free entry through the Amphitheatre gates.
Located in the Red Butte Garden Amphitheatre.
FRONT COVER
Liverwort (Hepatica nobilis)
Photo by Glenn Eurick
BACK COVER:
A Longview Elementary student studies plants during a Garden on the Grow outreach class visit.
Photo by Kristan Jacobsen
EDITORS
Kate Randall
Mindy Wilson
Sarah Zucca
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Jason Baker
Sam Crump
Glenn Eurick
Steve Griffin
Leslie Hanna
Kristan Jacobsen
Shawna McClanahan
Kate Randall
Heidi Simper
Dave Titensor
Steven Vargo
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Leslie Hanna
PRINTED BY IC Group
2026 ADVISORY BOARD
Kym Buttschardt, Chair
Curt Crowther, Vice Chair
Lindee Nance, Secretary
Lisa Andrues
Steve Barth
Nichol Bourdeaux
Carolyn Buma
Maura Carabello
Gary Christensen
Chelsey Curtis
Shaleane Gee
Greg Graham
Jeff Herring
J.D. Keller
Siamak Khadjenoury
Scott Mietchen
Jennifer Reed
JoLynda Stillman
Vicki Varela
Beverly Vargo
Kamrin Wilson
Emeritus Board Member
Sandi Behnken
Last school year Red Butte Garden and Arboretum put plants and plant science in the hands and minds of more than 60,000 schoolchildren throughout Utah.
Nearly 8,000 children visited the Garden on field trips. Our school programs team took the Garden to the rest. Through Botany Bins, Botany Boxes, and classroom visits, our educators tackle the limitations and bridge the distance that can make it difficult for more schoolchildren to visit in person.
In the pages ahead, we invite you inside one of the hundreds of classrooms our educators visit every school year. They teach high-quality science lessons that empower kids, plant the seeds for lifelong engagement with the natural world, and model effective science instruction for teachers. It’s work that’s vital to our mission but isn’t always visible.
We are actively working to make it possible for more schoolchildren to experience the Garden firsthand. That’s a long-range goal, but we’re excited to share that we’re taking the first step.
As we welcome spring, and the new growth and opportunities it brings, we celebrate and acknowledge your partnership and support. With your help, we connect people with nature in many ways, so that they can learn, heal, and thrive. We’re grateful for you every day, every season.
Derrek Hanson, Executive Director
We acknowledge that this land, which is named for the Ute Tribe, is the traditional and ancestral homeland of the Shoshone, Paiute, Goshute, and Ute Tribes. The University of Utah recognizes and respects the enduring relationship that exists between many Indigenous peoples and their traditional homelands. We respect the sovereign relationship between tribes, states, and the federal government, and we affirm the University of Utah’s commitment to a partnership with Native Nations and Urban Indian communities through research, education, and community outreach activities.
Top L: House Finch ( Haemorhous mexicanus )
Top R: Broad-tailed Hummingbird (Selasphorus platycerus)
Bottom L: Feather friendly application
A Feather-Friendly Garden Special Window Film Helps Prevent Bird Strikes
By Lynsey Nielson, interpretation and exhibits manager
Bird collisions with glass are a major problem worldwide. At Red Butte Garden, we’re making changes to help keep our birds safe. Thanks to the efforts of Garden greenhouse staffer Mable Wood, who helped secure the support of the University of Utah’s Sustainable Campus Initiative Fund, we’ve installed Feather Friendly window film at the Visitor Center and Richard K. Hemingway Orangerie—and have seen zero bird strikes in these areas since.
When sky or vegetation is reflected in glass, birds are only able to see those reflected images, rendering the glass invisible. So, although windows allow people to enjoy natural light indoors, exterior reflective glass can be deadly to birds. The Feather Friendly film greatly reduces the collision rate by providing a visible dotted pattern that indicates to birds that they shouldn’t fly into the reflected images.
Best of all, it’s a low-tech, scalable solution that works in both commercial and home settings, meaning you can do it, too. That’s good news not only for the many birds who rely on green spaces like the Garden, but for all of us. Birds play an essential role in healthy ecosystems by pollinating plants, dispersing seeds, and keeping insect, rodent, and snake populations in balance. Keeping birds safe is truly a win-win.
Learn more at redbuttegarden.org/we-love-birds
Volunteers Our Roots Run Deep Because of You
By Julie Duckett, volunteer program manager
Red Butte Garden and Arboretum simply would not be what it is without our volunteers. In fiscal year 2025, 572 dedicated volunteers contributed 31,200 hours supporting every corner of the Garden, from horticulture and conservation, to concerts, education, youth programs, guest services, and special events. Volunteers, your impact is equivalent to 15 full-time employees, and your generosity of time and talent touches every visitor who walks through our doors.
This year, the Garden was also proud to honor longtime volunteer JoLynda Stillman with the Utah Philanthropy Day Heart & Hands Award, recognizing more than 26 years of service and 4,294 lifetime hours. JoLynda’s steady presence and thoughtful care reflect the spirit shared by our entire volunteer community.
Whether they live nearby or drive from across the Wasatch Front, our volunteers show up because they believe in the Garden’s mission and because they love being part of this special place. Thank you.
For more information about volunteering at Red Butte Garden please visit our website redbuttegarden.org/volunteer.
Top L: Volunteers weeding the Four Seasons garden.
Top R: Lynn Muller and Margret BoesIngraham volunteering at Garden After Dark.
Middle R: Volunteers Charles King, Nina West, Patrick Park, and Danny O'Rourke helping maintain the Natural Area.
Bottom R: Volunteers Jessica Oakley, Chris Fisher, Karolyn Engh, Jeff Dickey, and Rebecca Ludwick welcoming concertgoers.
Garden Educators Ignite
By Nick Hoffmann, school programs manager, and Mindy Wilson, marketing & PR director
One recent morning a small but mighty team of Garden educators arrived at a local first-grade classroom with live plants, data collection tools, and an empowering message: You can be a scientist. Here’s how.
For the next 45 minutes, eager students learned how to observe plants, identify characteristics, and draw conclusions about plants’ adaptability—in this case, which ones are likely to thrive in a desert environment.
“These lessons are fun, interactive activities that keep the students completely engaged. They get to use real plants and science tools,” said Tracy Findlay, a Longview Elementary teacher who regularly hosts Red Butte educators. “I love that it allows them to think and wonder about the objects they are studying versus just being told an answer.”
As part of Red Butte’s “Garden on the Grow” outreach program, educators bring interactive science education that supports Utah state science teaching standards to a different first-grade classroom nearly every school day, visiting every corner of the state throughout the year. The lesson they teach—that science is not just information but a way of knowing, based in asking
comfortable, and familiar
Bottom: Eve Neary (holding poster), an Americorps environmental educator in the Garden’s school outreach program, says it’s important to “introduce science in a fun and non-intimidating way so students are more willing to engage in science later in school.”
Top: Garden educator Alicia Fuller-Nerney (far left) says that getting young learners “confident,
with science at a young age gives them more confidence in their future science learning.”
Kids’ Curiosity
questions and seeking evidence-based answers—helps set children up for success later in school and in life.
“There isn’t always enough time in the day for a classroom to prioritize high-quality science education, and there isn’t always enough training for educators,” said Christine Matthews, Red Butte school outreach coordinator. “We’re able not only to offer a high-quality lesson to the students, but also to model effective science instruction that can help teachers feel more empowered to teach their own science lessons.”
Red Butte provides this program free to schools thanks to funding from the Utah State Legislature and the Utah State Board of Education through the iSEE program. The Garden is grateful for additional support of school programs from The Wheeler Foundation and the R. Harold Burton Foundation.
Interested in using Red Butte’s expertise in your classroom? Visit redbuttegarden.org/teachers-and-students .
Above: Students at Longview Elementary in Murray learn to use scientific tools to observe plant characteristics that may help it thrive in a desert environment.
Red Butte Garden and Arboretum 2025 Donors
We sincerely thank our generous supporters.
$100,000 + ESRR Endowment Fund for Red Butte Garden
Salt Lake County Zoo, Arts, & Parks Program
Sandi Behnken
State of Utah - Office of Education
Utah Division of Arts and Museums
Utah Toyota Dealers
$15,000-$99,999
Anonymous
Bank of America Foundation
Claire Dumke-Ryberg and Stephen Ryberg
Curt and Mary Crowther
Emma Eccles Jones Foundation
George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation
Glover Nursery
Gretchen McClain
Harmons
Integrated Employer Solutions
Jeffrey Drenker*
Karen Johnson
Karma and Thomas Ramsey
Ken Garff for Good
Matthew Storey
Michael and Kimberley Labertew
Regence Blue Cross
Blue Shield of Utah
Richard K. and Shirley S. Hemingway Foundation
Robyn Carter
Scott and Lynn Pelichoff
Susan Ileene
Wirthlin Foundation
The Kahlert Foundation
Tomilee Tilley
University of Utah Health
Wheeler Foundation
Willard L. Eccles
Charitable Foundation
Woodbury Corp
Xfinity
$10,000-$14,999
Adams Davis
Advanced Precision Mfg
Andrea Dumke Manship and Michael Manship
Anonymous
Anonymous
Anonymous
Berkshire Hathaway
Home Services Utah
Bill and Rhonda Nicoloff
Bill and Victoria Bennion
Coda Technologies
Digital Financial Group
Ellen Hotung and Steve Boyd
Granite Veterinarian Specialists
Gryphyn Design Steel
Intermountain Park City Hospital
J. Martin and Sally Baraclough
Jackson LeRoy
Kipp & Christian
Kyle and Alyse Christensen
Legacy Probate International
LPL Financial
McCarthey Family Foundation
Millicent and Todd Tracey
Mountain Land Design
R. Harold Burton Foundation
Red Rock Demolition
Robert B. Lence
Rocky Mountain Power
Scott Zuckerman and Julie Asch
Serta Mattress
Southern Glazers Wine & Spirit
Susan and Tim Houden
Susie Martindale
The Jeffrey and Helen Cardon Foundation
Theall Family
Thomas and Heidi Brickey
University of Utah Advancement
University of Utah Health
Department of Otolaryngology
- Head and Neck Surgery
WestCAMP, INC.
Will Peteroy
William Green and J’Rel West
$5,000-$9,999
Air-Rite Manufacturing
Alane Fry
Andrew and Vera Baker
B.W. Bastian Foundation
Ballard Spahr Llp
Barry Baker
Ben and Patricia Britten
Benevity Community Impact Fund
Betsy Demann
Beverly and Daniel Vargo
Bonnie and Paul* Weiss
Brad Ferrer
Brad Krassner and Marilyn Corbett
Brian Kessler
Brooke Ewing
Camille Cornaby
Capitol Hill Construction
Crewe Endowment Foundation
Dan Steele
Dana Baird
Darren and Christina Stephens
David Bennett
Dee Munson and Dave Baldridge
Dr. Ariel Holley
Gale Stott
Henry and Diane Louis
Henry Wurts and Elaine Ellis
Holly Alden
Image Printing
Jackie Wentz
James Johnson and Lauren Piper
James MacInnes
Janice Luella Tyler Estate
Jennifer Bass
Joel Fairley
John and Carol Firmage
JoLynda Stillman
Julie and Greg Livers
Katie Bradshaw and Michael O’Connor
Kern River
Kevin Kempin and Penelope O’Brien
Lauri Taylor
Laurie Conklin
Laurie Hofmann and David Classen
Lawrence T. and Janet T. Dee Foundation
Lindsay and Trapper Cleverly
Lisa and Jeffrey Jones
Mark and Jo Ann Hildebrandt
Mark and Nicole Crowther
Martha Knowlton
Mary and Jason Ellis
Maureen Giggey and Mark Boschert
Melissa and Matthew Child
Michael and Jennifer Webb
Michael and Marcia Dowdall
Michael Best & Friedrich
Michael Hoffee
Nicholas & Company
Nicholas and Courtney Gibbs
Nichole and Paul Lambert
Origin Ventures
Paul and Landy Nipper
Paulsen Construction
Peggy and Robert Stone
Pierpont Place
Rob Schocker
Robert and Karla Knox
Robert S. Carter Foundation, Inc.
Rocky Mountain Care
Sam and Victoria Souvall
Sarah McCarthey and Mark Dressman
Stephanie Babalis
Stephen Rodosky
Stephen Yagi and Jill Sonstegard
StratusHR
Susan and Richard* Anderson
T27 Inc
Teresa L. Ota
The Pi Foundation, Inc.
Tim and Kari Welsh
Titleist Realty
Tom Greene
Toria and James Magleby
Trip and Melanie Bates
Troy Peterson
Visit Salt Lake
Wendy Bradley
William Pederson
$1,500-$4,999
Adam Duncan
Andrew Garrison
Anna Gimble
Anonymous
Anonymous ARUP Laboratories
Ashley Barkley
B. Rodney White and Michael Williams
Babs DeLay
Ben and Erica Dahl
Bill Lentz and Pearl Wright
Brent and Anne Maxfield
Brett and Wendy Kelley
Byron and Deborah Barkley
Callie Purdie
Carleen Nutter
Carole and Randy McDowell
Charlotte Stewart
Creed Construction
D. Ware Branch
Dana Barrutia
Dana Cremeno
Dave and Michele Jenson
Debbie Nisson
Dianna Cannon and Julie Barbero
Don and Kathy Pedersen
Doug Hutchinson
E. Rod Ross
E. William and Martha Scott
Ellie Hirshberg and Patrick Greis
Elliott and Roxanne Kulakowski
Erin Armstrong
Fawn Crist
Geoffrey and Jeanne Crockett
Greg Schlegel and Leslie Wellauer
Hansen Sister’s Foundation
Henry W. & Leslie M. Eskuche Foundation
Inger Russell
Jana Marko
Janet Striefel and Craig Hinckley
Jason Largever
Jeff Berman
Jennifer and Wayne Berard
Jennifer Crook
Jim Bach and
Cynthia Buckingham*
Jina Sanone
John and Ilauna Gurr
John W. and Helen B. Jarman
Family Foundation
Joni Moss
Joseph and Elizabeth Veltri
Joseph and Margaret Viland
Julee Attig
Julie Potter
Kamrin Wilson
Karen and Rocky Hanson
Katherine and David Reymann
Kathie and Charles Horman
Kelly Ragsdale
Kirton McConkie
Kristina Christensen
Kym and Peter Buttschardt
Lauren and Brian Bucher
Linda and Peter Van Orden
Linda Engh-Grady and Dave Grady
Lisa and Brandon Higley
Lisa and Stephen Andrues
Margaret Billings
Michael and Keri Rose
Nancy and Lance Fullmer
Nichol Bourdeaux
Nicole Mannek
Nora and Ryan Peterson
Paul and Lezlie Richardson
Robert and Margaret Jahries
Robert Caldwell
Rose and Daniel Zukley
Rylee McCracken
Salt Lake City Arts Council
Sara Lockwood
Scott Mercer
Sean Creason
Shaleane Gee
Stacy Anderson
Steve and Miriam Barth
Steven and Elaine Clyde
Steven Herron
STG Consulting
Susan Edwards
Tammie and William Woolsey
Terilyn and Daniel Whittenburg
The Blended Table
The Nature Conservancy
The Williams Companies, Inc.
Third Cadence
Tina Faust
Tracy Robinson
University of Utah Health Sciences
Wasatch Industrial LC
Workday
Zeke Dumke III and Angela Dumke
$500-$1,500
Aaron and Lara Portmann
Abby Shepherd-Salvary
Adrienne Pilmanis
Alton Winkelman
Angie Wager
Ann and John Malooly
Ann and Spencer Hoole
Anonymous
Anonymous
Anonymous
Ballard Miller Foundation
Barbara and William Gelegotis
Barbara Sluder
Barbara Sullivan
Beehive Cheese Company LLC
Beth Mannino
Bill Phillips
Bryan MacAdams
Camille Cole
Carolyn Buma
Carolyn Pedone and John Rose
Carrie and Randy Drown
Catherine and Barry Angstman
Cathy Anderson and Charles King
Ching-Yu Hsueh and Guanze Zhu
Chris and Michael Riggle
Christopher and Dana Sands
Christopher Swaner
Chuck Norlin and Marcia Feldkamp
Claudia Deines and Karry Kilgore
Corey and Tamara Luke
Curt Doman
Dale and Janeel Burningham
Dale Richey
Daniel and Deena Lofgren
Deborah Byrnes
Dennis and Patricia Lombardi
Donna Hawxhurst
Erin and Jason Linder
Francis and Joan Hanson
Frank and Leslie Corbett
Heather and Matthew Brace
Helen and Jeff Cardon
Isaac and Sarah Riches
Jack Rubin
Janet and Stephen Lewis
Jason Alba
Jerry Rudisin and Andrea Fabrega
John and Patricia* Clay
Joseph and Jennifer Davidson
Kasey Webster
Kenneth & Joanne Mayne Foundation
Kent Morby
Kristy Larsen and David Gaskill
Kurt Larsen and Angelina Tsu
Kurtis Conklin
L. Jackson
Laura Cratin
Laura Snow Prosper and Pierre-Richard Prosper
Laurie and Thomas Eastwood
Libby Peterson
Linda and Kelley Burtch
Linda and Wayne Tyler
Lori Fenton
Maria Garciaz and David Galvan
Marilyn Marshall
Mark Hartmann
Mark Miller Subaru
Mary Ann Villarreal
Mary Short
Maura Carabello
Meagan Thornton
Michael Garcia
Nancy Adams
Norman Foster
Paula Fox
Paula Swaner Sargetakis and Joseph Sargetakis
Preston Christensen
Purnima and Bipin Gandhi
Randy and Mylinda Faircloth
Rebecca and Steven Burt
Richard Jonas and Nancy Forrest
Robert and Dixie Huefner
Robert and Emily Bonham
Robert Clark and Margaret Bowman
Robert Richards
Rocky Mountain Power Foundation
Shellie and Eric Eide
Simply Privys
Stephanie Pappas and Kristen Dalzen
Susan and Kip Slaugh
Susan Frampton
The Delta Air Lines Foundation
The Peter and Diane Classen
Family Fund
Tika Beard
Tina and Daniel Zvonek
Tom Cavill
Tom Diegel and Ashley Patterson
Tracey Thompson
Troy and Angie Aramburu
Vicki Varela and Leah Nelson
Virginia McOmber
Virginia Whitby
W Shane and Yukimi Cohen
$250-$499
Aimee and Jeremy Roberts
Albert and Yvette Ungricht
Alesha and Steve Lemmon
Alice and Kevin Steiner
Allison Smoot
Amber Broadaway
Andreana Shuldberg-Hunt and Jacob Shuldberg
Ann Bosworth
Ann Taylor and Collin Cowley
Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous
Arge and Anthony Feotis
August Schultz and
Andrea Wolcott
Barbara A. Vanderkolk
Barbara and John Reid
Barbara Brown and William Hanewinkel
Barbara Campbell
Barbara Cox
Barbara Huppe
Becky McSpadden
Benjamin Barshied
Brian Sevy
Brittani Benally
Brittany and Ralph Montrone
Candace King
Catherine and Lawrence Reynolds
Charities Aid Foundation of America
Colleen and Don Sorensen
Collin Dumke
Cynthia and Stephen Sinclair
Dane and Kathy Finerfrock
Danece and Ronald Mangone
Danielle Wissmar
David and Anna Guidry
Deborah Magness
Deidra and Edmund Plummer
Delores and Colin Gardner
Denise Adkins McCall
Dennis and Lindy Mansfield
Devon and Julie Glenn
Edward and Deborah Felt
Eileen Strasters
Elise Hutchings and Brad Kasteler
Elizabeth Howell and Bryan Thompson
Elizabeth Lendrum and Jerome Broussard
Elizabeth Tashjian and Uri Loewenstein
Elizabeth Wagner
Ellen Bloedel and Katherine Brown
Eric and Brigitte Klement
Erin Fank
Frank and Magda Fronek
G. Kenneth and Kate Handley
Gail Rushing
Gayle Campbell
Georgeanne Kitchen
Gregory and Meredith Garcia
Helen Whitbeck
James and Dorothy Byrne
James and Kimberly Albro
James Smith
Jane Ingraham
Jeff and Nicole Maddrey
Jeffrey Paris
Jen Bourque
Jerilyn and Jeffrey Coles
John and Leslie Francis
Jolene Whitney
Jonathan Poe
Judith Moran
Julie and Marc Stephens
Justin and Monica Cassell
Kara Hunter
Karen McCormick
Kathleen and Patrick English
Kathleen Kingston and Scott Kisling
Kathleen Murray and Ronald Apfelbaum
Katie Richins-Benson
Keith Lomurray and Carly Schaub
Keith Pennell
Kenneth and Karen Buchi
Lake City Photo Booth
Larry Herndon and Ross Owen
Laura Holleman
Lexie and Steve Dubell
Linda Fletcher
Linda Lee
Lisa and David Kieda
Lisa and Paul Runyon
Lisa Harrison
Liz Burgess
Liz Neily and Andrew Maizner
Loree and William Hagen
Lori and Jeff Egly
Lori McDonald
Lynn and Bruce Cohne
Lynn Rohland
Mac McGuire
Mara and Sam Adams
Marcus Fenton and Hannele Laine
Margaret and Gary Jones
Margery and Leland Johnson
Maria and Mary Cruz
Marilyn Simmons
Mark McGowan
Marti and Steven Wymer
Martin Wondershek
Mary Ann Rokich
Mary Hunt
Maurice Malouf
Michael and Amy Johnson
Michael Brown
Michele Levin
Michelle Kapitan
Muriel and William Gowski
Nahid Namin
Natalie Gochnour
Nick and Paige Penze
Nicole Ledford and Jared Jensen
Page and Robert Speiser
Patricia and Brad Merrill
Patricia and William McIntosh
Paul Aviles
Peg and Michael Kramer
Perry Dowd
Peter Nicholas
Petrine Griffin Falsone
Rachel and Matt Kitterer
Rana Alexander
Raoul and Patricia Nelson
Rebecca and Douglas Stoker
Rebecca and Young Le
Rebecca Blanchette
Richard and Diane Schenkman
Robert and Christine Fujinami
Robin and Gordon* Roberts
Roger Sullivan
Roy Smeal
Royal and Laura Hansen
Ryan and Shelley Oliverson
Sallie and Rod Rinderknecht
Sarah Shreeves
Shawn Gurtcheff and David Johnson
Sheryl Schowengerdt
Shirelle Heninger
Shulem Collman
Splendor Beauty LLC
Stephanie Love
Stephen and Nicola Dahl
Stephen Throndsen
Steve Klass and Tanta Lisa Clayton
Stuart Enterline
Stuart Merriken
Susan Driver
Susan L. Loffler
Susan Wurtzburg and Lyle Campbell
Suzanne S. Stensaas
Thomas and Kristin Stockham
Thomas and Lynn Jensen
Tracy Burnaby
Donations received January 1, 2025December 31, 2025
*Deceased
Grace Under Pressure Longtime Irrigation Manager Retires
After more than 21 years at Red Butte Garden and Arboretum, irrigation manager Chris Madson has retired. Chris started with the Garden in 2003 maintaining our underground irrigation system and quickly moved up to become supervisor over the irrigation, turf, and equipment maintenance team. Chris was invaluable in so many ways beyond the already major responsibility of irrigation, turf care, and equipment—he also managed the interactive fountain in the Children’s Garden, outdoor bench installation, minor stone wall repairs, and was an important team player in virtually all Garden improvement projects. Chris was beloved by his many colleagues over the years. His most frequent response to a call for help was always, “On my way!” He is missed, and we hope to see him in the Garden again soon.
Dig Deeper with Red Butte Garden Join the Cottam Club!
The Cottam Club is a philanthropic community dedicated to elevating and sustaining Red Butte Garden and Arboretum for future generations while inspiring generosity in others. Join us in our efforts to enhance the world around us through conservation, science education, and community engagement.
As a Cottam Club member, you will enjoy exclusive access and experiences, engage with Garden experts, and get to know other people committed to learning, plant science, and the impact living landscapes can have in our community.
To learn more about how you can deepen your connection to Red Butte Garden, visit redbuttegarden.org/cottam-club or call Angela Wilcox at 801.585.3813.
Left: Kara Hastings, greenhouse manager, giving a tour to Cottam Club members.
Legacy Giving
Red Butte Garden and Arboretum honors the following individuals who have made a meaningful Legacy Gift, giving a lasting investment and advancing our mission to connect people with plants and the beauty of living landscapes. When you include Red Butte Garden and Arboretum in your estate plan, you ensure the continued growth of the Garden for future generations.
Thank you, Legacy Society Members
Anonymous
Robert K. Avery
Wendy Bradley
Melissa J. Bentley
Thomas and Jacquelin Bryce
Sandi J. Cameron-Greene
Nicola G. Dahl
Stephen L. Dahl
Jeffrey S. Drenker
Lesley A. DuTemple
C. F. Gillmor and Dotti M. Gallagher
Larry R. Gerlach
Beverly C. Hanson
Andrew E. Hunt
Maria S. Hunt
Mark R. Jones
Katharine W. Lamb
Dedications
Jana L. Marko
Mary Moody-Bronston
Mary J. Murphy
Jane L. Parker
Katherine and David Reymann
Craig P. Rhodes
Barbara J. Rolbiecki
Trent Smith
JoLynda Stillman
Peggy Stone
Hala Toubbeh
Beverly and Daniel Vargo
Myron A. Willson
June Zhu
The following individuals have made contributions to Red Butte Garden and Arboretum to celebrate, honor, and remember their friends and loved ones. We appreciate these generous dedications and value being a part of the lives recognized through these gifts.
In Memory of Neena Ashton
Tom Barton, Susan Driver, Anne B. Elliott, Delores W. Gardner, Michael Murphy, Roger Sullivan
In Memory of Joan and Howard Bradley
Wendy Bradley
In Honor of David and Laurie Classen
The Peter and Diane Classen Family Fund
In Memory of Christine Currey
Gail Currey
In Memory of Madeline Droubay
Patricia Droubay
In Memory of R. Endo
Joni D. Endo
In Memory of Donald P. Hartmann
Mark E. Hartman
In Memory of Tiffini John
Wendy Bradley
In Tribute to Martha ‘Tootsi’ Shaw Knowlton
Martha Knowlton
In Memory of Kevin McKenna
Alane D. Fry
In Memory of Tom and Paul Rokich
Mary Ann S. Rokich
In Memory of Ruth Schachter
Balasundaram Chandra-Sekar, David Dutwin, Staci Mankoff, Judy Robbins, Joanna Rosene-Mirvis, Carole S. Straughn
In Honor of Thomas Schenkenberg
Gail Currey
In Memory of Patricia ‘Trish’ Shaw Taylor
Martha Knowlton
In Honor of Anne Carson Thompson
Susan Mallory
In Memory of Richard LeGrand Wirthlin and Michael Breneman Wirthlin
Susan Ileene Wirthlin Foundation
Gifts recognized were made between Oct 1-Dec 31, 2025. For corrections, please contact Madison Parsons at madison.parsons@redbutte.utah.edu
than 275,000 guests this year, connecting them with plants and the beauty of living landscapes through plant-focused science education and community events.
Garden Gets Green Light to Improve Access
Red Butte Garden and Arboretum is building a future where more people can learn, grow, and connect with the healing power of nature.
The first step is a practical and important one: to create a more intentional arrival experience that will help bring more guests to the Garden’s doorstep efficiently, conveniently, and safely.
On December 9, the University of Utah Board of Trustees approved a Garden proposal to improve traffic flow and add parking capacity. The project will help the Garden better serve its growing community, educate more K-12 Utah schoolchildren, and improve safety and access for all guests, said Derrek Hanson, executive director.
“The Garden is a treasured sanctuary for our entire community, with more guests visiting every year,” Hanson said. “We want to make it easier for anyone and everyone to come up and experience the benefits of this place.”
Plans are still conceptual but feature a streamlined traffic flow that will make it possible for more public buses, campus shuttles, motor coaches, and school buses to circulate the Garden’s entrance plaza. A dedicated school bus dropoff is a top priority, Hanson said, which will help support and expand the Garden’s already considerable educational impact.
“Last year our educators taught experiential plant science to almost 8,000 schoolchildren on field trips to the Garden,” he said. “We’re eager to engage more young learners on-site, but we need to make it easier and safer for them to get here. Better access for school buses is crucial.”
Garden staff are in the early stages of project planning and development with no firm timeline yet. We’ll keep you updated in these pages and on Garden website, enewsletters, and social media.
Red Butte Garden and Arboretum welcomed more
SPRING 2026 CALENDAR
Please visit our website and social media for more Garden event information.
ART EXHIBITS
Nature-themed media by Utah artists. Admission not required to shop.
MAR 6-APR 6
Art at the Main
APR 17-JUN 1
Stephanie Saint-Thomas
GARDEN EVENTS
MAR & APR
Bulbs & Blooms
Over 607,000 bulbs promise millions of blooms this spring.
MAR 4-5
Summer Camp Registration
Wed, 10am
Garden members Thu, 10am
General public
APR 1-30
Garden Poetry Walk
In honor of National Poetry Month, path-side poetry boxes will feature the winning poems of our Annual Spring Poetry Contest.
APR 4 & 6
Spring Orchid Show Sat, 10am-7:30pm Sun, 9am-4pm
Join the Utah Orchid Society for the largest display of common and exotic orchids in Utah.
APR 9
Spring Poetry Reception Thu, 6-7:30pm Mix and mingle with our poetry contest winners and enjoy live readings of their poems.
Registration Required. Garden members: Free General public: $16
APR 11 & 12
Spring Bonsai Show Sat, 9am-7:30pm Sun, 9am-3pm
Discover the Japanese art of growing miniature trees with the Bonsai Club of Utah.
APR 24
Arbor Day Celebration Friday, 9am-7:30pm (programming 10am-3pm)
Enjoy self-guided tree tours, scavenger hunts, tree giveaways, and more. Free admission thanks to Salt Lake County Zoo, Arts & Parks (ZAP).
MAY 8 & 9
Spring Plant Sale
Red Butte Garden Amphitheatre Fri, 1-8pm: Member Benefit Day (registration required) Sat, 9am-3pm: Open to the public
JUN 12
Blooming with Pride Fri, 12-7pm
Join us for a family-friendly celebration of Pride featuring vibrant floral art installations that showcase the rich beauty and diversity of plants. Tickets on sale May 6. Garden members: Free General public: $16
JUN 25
Summer Solstice Garden Party Thu, 5-10pm
Join us for a progressive dining experience celebrating the many seasons of nature and the Garden. Tickets on sale March 25 Garden members: $150 General public: $200
Spring Floral Shows
Living art cultivated by time, nature, and community.
Orchid Show
With the Utah Orchid Society
Saturday, April 4, 9am-7:30pm Sunday, April 5, 9am-4pm
Bonsai Show
With the Bonsai Club of Utah
Saturday, April 11, 9am-7:30pm Sunday, April 12, 9am-3pm
EXHIBIT ARTISTS
Top: Art at the Main, Tetons at Willow Flats by Jim Woodward Bottom: Stephanie Saint-Thomas
SPRING 2026 CALENDAR
MEMBERS RECEIVE 20% OFF PUBLIC PRICES FOR CLASSES.
GARDENING & HORTICULTURE
MAR 18 & 21
Rose Pruning Workshop Wed, 6-8pm Sat, 10:30am-12pm or 1:30-3pm
General public $55
MAR 25, APR 22, MAY 20
Birding Walk w/ HawkWatch International Wed, 4-5pm or 5-6pm
General public $16
APR 14, MAY 12, JUN 9, JUL 14, AUG 11, SEP 8, OCT 13
101 Plants to Know in Utah Tue, 6-8pm
General public $180
MAY 7 & 14
Noteworthy Natives Thu, 6:30-8:30pm
General public $48
MAY 26 & JUN 2
Herbs for Utah Tue, 6:30-8:30pm
General public $48
MAR 26
Your Landscape 101: Growing Success in Utah’s Challenging Soil Thu, 6:30-8:30pm
General public $38
APR 23
Best Trees & Shrubs for Utah Landscapes Thu, 6:30-8:30pm
General public $38
WELLNESS
Year-Round
Yoga & Sound Bath w/ Kristin Vance Sun, 10-11am
General public $18
Year-Round Forest Bathing w/ Chris Newton Weekends, 12-1:30pm General public $30
MAR 17, 31
Tending to You: Self Myofascial Release & Nervous System Support w/ Kara Delfanti Tue, 6-7:30pm
General public $24
MAR 21
Mythogenesis Full-Day
Workshop w/ Bob Walter Sat, 10am-5pm
General public $125
APR, MAY
Qigong w/Sifu Toni Lock Thu, 9:30-10:30am
General public $16
CULINARY ARTS
MAR 21
Herbal Allies: Kitchen Herbs for Spring Balance Sat, 10am-12pm
General public $60
APR 15
Indian Cooking w/ Purnima Gandhi Wed, 6-8pm
General public $65
Summer Solstice Garden Party
June 25 from 5-10pm
Tickets required (timed-entry)
Details and registration for all classes and workshops at redbuttegarden.org
CREATIVE EXPRESSION
Monthly
Botanical Painting for All Sat,10am-1pm
General public
$60
MAR 28
Block Printing for Textiles
Sat, 10am-12:30pm
General public $70
APR 1
Pressed Flower Earrings
Wed, 6-8pm
General public $70
MAY 30
Original Wildflower Resin Jewelry
Sat, 2-4pm
General public $75
YOUTH ART WORKSHOPS
For kids ages 8-18.
MAY 2
Suncatchers w/ Glass Art Guild of Utah
Sat, 10-11:30am
Garden members: $40
General public: $50
GARDEN ADVENTURES
Where Curiosity Blooms
For children ages 5-12 with a parent or caregiver.
Sat, 10-11:30am (all classes)
Garden members: $16
General public: $20
MAR 14 Lucky Leprechauns
MAR 28 Bulb Bonanza
APR 11 Nature Notes
APR 25 Terrific Trees
MAY 16 Busy Bees
LIL’ BUDS
Where Nature’s
Magic Unfolds
Classes for preschool children ages 3-4 with a parent or caregiver.
Wed, 10-11:30am (all classes)
Garden members: $16
General public: $20
MAY 6 Roots & Stems
MAY 13 Leaves
MAY 20 Flowers
MAY 27 Seeds
COMPLIMENTARY & PRIVATE GARDEN TOURS
redbuttegarden.org/plan-your-garden-visit/garden-tours
us on social for behind-the-scenes looks at the people, and critters, of the Garden.
@redbuttegarden
CONTACT US
Discover · Learn · Grow
Registration required
Garden member registration opens March 4, 10am
Public registration opens March 5, 10am
redbuttegarden.org/kids-classes/summer-camp
year-round.
Visitor Center 801.585.0556
Website: www.redbuttegarden.org
Comments: 801.581.5754 or email pr@redbutte.utah.edu
GO GREEN!
Opt out of printed newsletters. Email membership@redbutte.utah.edu with "NEWSLETTER OPT OUT” in the subject line. We’ll take care of the rest.
THANK YOU
Salt Lake County Zoo, Arts & Parks (ZAP) Program for your support.
Red Butte Garden and Arboretum is one of the largest botanical gardens in the Intermountain West, a regional center for plant-focused science education, conservation and research, and cultural enrichment. Communityfunded, the Garden is renowned for its diverse plant collections, themed gardens, and spectacular mountain setting, with over 607,000 springtime blooming bulbs, awardwinning horticulture-based educational programs, and an iconic outdoor summer concert series.
Copyright © 2026 Red Butte Garden. All rights reserved.
A towhee enjoys a winter snack. Follow
The Garden is picturesque all
300 Wakara Way
Salt Lake City, UT 84108
OUR MISSION
To connect people with plants and the beauty of living landscapes.
