Annual Report
Annual Report
A Message from the Chairman of the Board and the President & CEO
At the Chicago Botanic Garden, growth tells a vibrant story—from our stunning landscapes to our plant conservation research to the urban farms of Windy City Harvest.
Our growth, and the change that comes with it, is a sign of a thriving organization. In 2023, we affirmed a new five-year strategic plan that calls for broadening the Garden’s reach and connecting people to the power of plants so people and planet may thrive. We aim to develop our main campus in Glencoe to become more resilient and relevant, grow our Chicago-area partnerships beyond Windy City Harvest, increase our global contributions in plant conservation science, and become more sustainable financially and operationally with a thriving organizational culture.
Throughout this Annual Report, you’ll see our refreshed branding, which reflects how we’ve evolved since the Garden opened in 1972. Our new logo and tagline reflect who we are today— welcoming, vibrant, modern—and unite the Garden’s main campus with our plant science, learning, and urban agriculture programs, while allowing each program to stand on its own.
We cultivate the power of plants to sustain and enrich life.
Our reaccreditation by the American Alliance of Museums was another proud moment. We’re one of only 25 accredited arboreta/botanic gardens in the United States. In its review, the Alliance noted that, “The Chicago Botanic Garden is an excellent museum, a world-class botanic garden, and a clear leader in our industry.”
As we grow, we’re keeping the visitor experience at the top of our concerns. Last year, we celebrated the opening of our Welcome Plaza and the Stone Family Picnic Glade. We also completed a record number of capital maintenance improvements, funded by the first year of tax revenue from the Forest Preserves of Cook County’s successful property tax referendum.
Your support has been essential to the successes—past, present, and future—of our growing living museum. We invite you to grow with us.
