University of Missouri Extension

A local non-profit group known as Friends of the Garden Inc. is leading an effort to raise money toward the 2009 construction of a 12,700 square foot Botanical Center in the Nathaniel Greene and Close Memorial Parks at a cost of $4.3 million. Specialists and volunteers with University of Missouri Extension are fundraising too since Extension offices will be located in the Botanical Center.

The mission of Friends of the Garden is "to establish and facilitate a botanical center, gardens and arboretum at Close Botanical Gardens and Lake Drummond to inspire the discovery, understanding and appreciation of nature.”

The lower level office area of the Botanical Center will be shared by the Springfield-Greene County Park Board, University of Missouri Extension and Friends of the Garden. This floor will include a gift shop and garden related library, an office for the Southwest Missouri Chapter of Master Gardeners, a wet classroom, a large classroom with seating, a multipurpose room and a kitchen area. Entrance into the center will be made from ground level (then down stairs or an elevator). This ground entrance will feature gardens and an area suitable for outdoor events.

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™ is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings. The Botanical Center will feature a roof-top container garden and other unique energy efficient and environmentally friendly features. In fact, the focus of the entire Botanical Center design has been to earn certification as an LEED building.

The center will look toward Drummond Lake and stand adjacent to the Master Gardener’s demonstration garden and the public gardens in Nathanael Greene and Close Park at 2400 South Scenic, Springfield. Nathanael Greene and Close Park encompass over 100-acres. The Master Gardener’s demonstration gardens, the Ozark Greenways Trail and cottage, grass, herb, hosta, vegetable, butterfly and ornamental grass gardens along with a collection of native and non-native trees, are open to the public.

The Botanical Center will provide a new public home for the Master Gardener program and other MU Extension programs like 4-H. Once completed, the building will be owned and maintained by the Springfield-Greene County Parks Department.

University of Missouri Extension uses science-based knowledge and engages people to understand change, solve problems and make informed decisions as part of lifelong learning. MU Extension is funded through federal, state and county tax dollars as well as grants, contracts, fees and private gifts. Learn more at http://extension.missouri.edu/greene.

The 2006 passage of a County Parks sales tax will provide $3 million toward the construction of the Botanical Center. Monies from that tax, along with funds from the Springfield-Greene County Park Board, the Greene County Commission and Major Close leave the building fund $600,000 short. Friends of the Garden and University of Missouri Extension are both working to raise additional private dollars.

Friends of the Garden Inc. and University of Missouri Extension are spearheading all private fundraising efforts in conjunction with the Community Foundation of the Ozarks. Members of Friends of the Garden have already contributed monetarily toward the Botanical Center. Likewise, members of the publicly elected MU Extension County Council for Greene County have also contributed monetarily to the building. As of November 2007, about $260,000 had already been given or pledged by private individuals and local companies.

One group being targeted to give are alumni from the University of Missouri. The Botanical Center will provide a visible and functional home for University of Missouri Extension programs like Master Gardeners and 4-H. In fact, being located in the Botanical Center will help to raise the profile of all University of Missouri programs in this area of the state.

The answer is, yes! This Botanical Center will help improve the quality of life in Springfield. All types of community botanical and gardening organizations and clubs, like Friends of the Garden, will benefit by having meeting and exhibit space. The space in this building, tailored especially for gardening related educational programs and meetings means the Botanical Center will meet a very specific need in our community. With this space, the educational possibilities are nearly unlimited.

What naming opportunities exist for persons, organizations or businesses willing to make large donations of cash or materials?

A number of naming opportunities exist. For up-to-date information on naming opportunities contact either Friends of the Garden or University of Missouri Extension in Greene County.

You can contribute to the effort to build and sustain a botanical center in Springfield by helping University of Missouri Extension meet its fundraising goal. Make checks payable to University of Missouri with Greene County Extension/Botanical Building in the memo portion of the check. Checks can be sent to the MU Extension Development Office, 109 Whitten Hall, Columbia MO 65211 or to the Greene County Extension Center, 833 Boonville, Springfield, Mo. 65802.

Photos and other updated materials are available online at http://extension.missouri.edu/greene. MU Extension specialists and council members are available to talk with individuals or groups about the Botanical Center and the funds needed prior to 2009. To arrange a group speaker, or to request a personal visit, call the Greene County Extension Center, (417) 862-9284.

Greene County is part of the Southwest Region of University of Missouri Extension

Greene County University of Missouri Extension

Questions? Please contact --
burtond@missouri.edu
Updated 04/09/08