Allie Beth and Pierce Allman will be honored with the 2018 Flora Award

Allie Beth and Pierce Allman will be honored with the 2018 Flora Award for their years of service to the Dallas Community on October 25th, the jade anniversary of this prestigious Dallas occasion. Since its inception in 1982, The Flora Award has been presented in support of Texas Discovery Gardens, a 501(c)(3). The honor serves to recognize outstanding citizens who have demonstrated a commitment to community service, natural resource education, protection of the environment and quality of life. 

 

“If there is a worthy cause in Dallas, chances are the Allmans have supported it in a meaningful and generous way,” said Dick Davis, Executive Director of Texas Discovery Gardens. “While the Allmans don’t seek recognition, those of us in the nonprofit world seek every public opportunity to show our gratitude. That they would allow us to honor them for their decades of philanthropic efforts is gratifying beyond words. Yet, we plan to find just the right words at the 2018 Flora Award Gala.”

 

Among the many causes the Allmans have supported: The Perot Museum of Nature and Science, DFW World Affairs, Dallas Museum of Art, the George W. Bush Presidential Center, Dallas Symphony and the MD Anderson Cancer Center Dallas. 

 

For the Flora Award’s jade anniversary, all past living Flora honorees will be asked to attend for special recognition at the black tie-dinner. Past Flora honorees include Peggy and Carl Sewell, Senator Kay Baily Hutchison, Dee and Charles Wyly, Lady Bird Johnson, Laura and President George Bush, Gloria Vanderbilt and Margaret and Trammell Crow.

 

Honorary Chairs for the 2018 Flora Award are Janet Smith, Bettye Slaven and Marilyn Waisanen, with Laura Chancellor Black and Kelly Cantu Dees serving as co-chairs. Laura and Kelly will also co-chair the Flora Award Patron Party on September 20th to celebrate the supporters of the jade anniversary.

 

Tickets for the 2018 Flora Award Gala and general donations in Allie Beth and Pierce Allman’s honor may be purchased at TexasDiscoveryGardens.org/flora. Ticket prices start at $350 and tables at $3500. For information, call Haley Estrada at 214-428-7476, ext. 230 or hestrada@texasdiscoverygardens.org

Texas Discovery Gardens Launches Lone Star Nature Art Competition

Artists of all ages and skill-set are encouraged to enter Texas related art in categories including: painting, sculpture, wood carving, photography, printmaking and drawing. Anyone with a passion for art and nature can enter.

Judges, chosen by Texas Discovery Gardens, include experts from Collectors Covey and Discovery Gallery Curator Brenda McKinney, who will select winners and runners-up in each category.

1st, 2nd, and 3rd place entries will receive a cash prize. One $1,000 Grand Prize will be awarded to the Best of Show out of all the categories. Entry fee is $25.

Participants can submit entries through August 15, 2018. Winners will be announced on or before August 31^st, 2018. The winning submissions will be displayed at Texas Discovery Gardens throughout the State Fair of Texas September 28^th through October 21^st.

For more information including entry, submission, exhibition, etc., visit https://txdg.org/lone-star-art/.

Texas Discovery Gardens to honor Allie Beth and Pierce Allman at 35th Flora Award Gala

Allie Beth and Pierce Allman will be honored with the 2018 Flora Award for their years of service to the Dallas Community on October 25^th, the jade anniversary of this prestigious Dallas occasion. Since its inception in 1982, The Flora Award has been presented in support of Texas Discovery Gardens, a 501(c)(3). The honor serves to recognize outstanding citizens who have demonstrated a commitment to community service, natural resource education, protection of the environment and quality of life.

“If there is a worthy cause in Dallas, chances are the Allmans have supported it in a meaningful and generous way,” said Dick Davis, Executive Director of Texas Discovery Gardens. “While the Allmans don’t seek recognition, those of us in the nonprofit world seek every public opportunity to show our gratitude. That they would allow us to honor them for their decades of philanthropic efforts is gratifying beyond words. Yet, we plan to find just the right words at the 2018 Flora Award Gala.”

Among the many causes the Allmans have supported: The Perot Museum of Nature and Science, DFW World Affairs, Dallas Museum of Art, the George W. Bush Presidential Center, Dallas Symphony and the MD Anderson Cancer Center Dallas.

Allie Beth and Pierce Allman

For the Flora Award’s jade anniversary, all past living Flora honorees will be asked to attend for special recognition at the black tie-dinner. Past Flora honorees include Peggy and Carl Sewell, Senator Kay Baily Hutchison, Dee and Charles Wyly, Lady Bird Johnson, Laura and President George Bush, Gloria Vanderbilt and Margaret and Trammell Crow.

Honorary Chairs for the 2018 Flora Award are Janet Smith, Bettye Slaven and Marilyn Waisanen, with Laura Chancellor Black and Kelly Cantu Dees serving as co-chairs. Laura and Kelly will also co-chair the Flora Award Patron Party on September 20^thto celebrate the supporters of the jade anniversary.

2018 Flora Award Co-Chairs, Laura Chancellor Black and Kelly Cantu Dees

Tickets for the 2018 Flora Award Gala and general donations in Allie Beth and Pierce Allman’s honor may be purchased at TexasDiscoveryGardens.org/flora. Ticket prices start at $300 and tables at $3500.  For information, call Haley Estrada at 214-428-7476, ext. 230 or hestrada@texasdiscoverygardens.org

Valentine's Dinner at Texas Discovery Gardens. Edible Bugs for Dessert!

Texas Discovery Gardens wants to romance you with bug Love. TDG is hosting a Valentine’s evening dinner with a dreamy tour of their 2-story butterfly house set upon 7.5 acres of organic gardens, and with dark chocolate covered crickets and coconut brittle ‘bugitos’ (mealworms) for dessert. Along the way guests will learn strange and interesting facts about how bugs express their love.

 

TDG ‘Love is in the Air’ Valentine’s Dinner

February 14, 2018 from 6 pm - 8 pm

Stroll through the romantic Butterfly House with a loved one. Enjoy dinner and drinks featuring chocolate covered insects while Entomologist John Watts talks bug love, or insect reproduction along the way. $40/single, $60/couple. $32/single member, $48/member couple

 

TDG ‘Love is in the Air, for Kids!’

February 14, 2018 from 6 pm - 8 pm

Want to enjoy a special Valentine’s event and include a fun program for the kids? Drop off potty-trained children with the TDG Education Team for a mini-camp & dinner while adults can some rest and romance. Ages 3-12; $20/child; $17/member child

Reserve your seat here: https://txdg.org/workshops/love-is-in-the-air

Flora Patron Party Celebrates Upcoming Flora Award Dinner

On September 28^th, more than 70 guests arrived at the Highland Park home of Barbara Hunt Crow for the 2017 Flora Award Patron Party. Guests of the cocktail occasion included the honorees of the anticipated October 26th Flora Award Dinner—Bettye Slaven, Janet Smith and Marilyn Waisanen, otherwise known as the ‘terrific trio’.

Angela Shank, Amelia Valz, Katherine Febbroriello

“It is our honor to celebrate Bettye, Janet, and Marilyn, and to thank them for their time spent as board members and volunteers at Texas Discovery Gardens.” said TDG Executive Director Dick Davis.

Ann & Bob Dyer

While guest savored hors d’oeuvres, Cameron Hughes wine and the sounds of pianist Eva Brandys Dick shared a thank you to Kathryn Febbroriello, Angela Shank and Amelia Valz who are in their second year of co-chairing the annual event. Dick also shared an appreciation for all who help Texas Discovery Gardens “bring nature to the city” such as Bob and Myrna Schlegel who are the honorary chairs of Flora 2017.

Bettye Slaven, Janet Smith, Marilyn Waisanen

The prestigious patron list of TDG runs long including Gene and Jerry Jones, Mary Ann Sammons Cree, Lyda Hill, Caroline Rose Hunt, Suzy and Tom Rhodes, Bob and Ann Dyer, Billie Leigh Rippey and Margie and Ray Francis.

Cindy Shipley, Lauren McCann, Kelly Shipley

Tables for the Flora Award dinner were going fast throughout evening as the black-tie occasion is now officially on the fall horizon. The soiree’s host and 2012 Flora honoree, Barbara Crow, shared gracious greetings to departing guests as she understands the impact of the award and of TDG’s mission to sustain the natural world.

Caroline Rose Hunt, Del Frnka

For Flora tickets or general donations visit TexasDiscoveryGardens.org/flora or call 214-428-7476. Ticket prices start at $300 and tables at $3,000. 

Celebrate Mom with a Butterfly Release on Mother's Day with The Women's Chorus of Dallas

Texas Discovery Gardens & Butterfly House Host Mother’s Day

TDG presents their annual Mother’s Day Concert with The Women’s Chorus of Dallas to make this special day memorable for the whole family. This hour-long concert concludes with a live butterfly release in the Conservatory.

To release a butterfly, you can purchase it for $12 ($10 for members) through the events page. Concert tickets must be purchased through www.TheWomensChorusofDallas.com.

Free Simulcast of The Dallas Opera's Madame Butterfly at The Star in Frisco

The Dallas Opera, in partnership with The Star in Frisco and with support from founding sponsor, The Dallas Foundation, is extremely proud to announce the company’s first simulcast at The Star in Frisco – and the fifteenth free Dallas Opera simulcast since 2010 – scheduled to take place on Saturday, March 18, 2017.

The action begins at 6:30pm co-hosted by KLUV Radio’s legendary on-air personality, Jody Dean and TDO’s own Education Program Senior Manager, Kristian Roberts.

Pre-show activities include a special cartoon screening, interviews with the cast and crew, and trivia for Opera Swag.

Get there early at 4:30pm and experience the Family Zone, presented by TDO’s Arc committee in partnership with the Texas Discovery Garden, with fun crafts, learning activities, butterfly photo booth, and more.

Visit http://dallasopera.org/simulcast/ for more information.

Flora Award 2013- Jan Pickens Honored {Society Pics}



Courtney Love, Jan Pickens, Jennifer Huff

Texas Discovery Gardens honored Jan Pickens with the prestigious 2013 Flora Award on November 7. More than 150 prominent guests graced the elegantly decorated Grand Hall on this crisp evening including Ebby Halliday Acers, Caroline Rose Hunt, Dee Wyly, Peggy Sewell, Nancy Dedman and Billie Leigh Rippey. The four course meal by Cassandra Fine Catering was a decadent introduction to the evening’s events, including remarks by Dick Davis, Executive Director of Texas Discovery Gardens, an invocation, an introduction of Jan by Barbara Hunt Crow and the presentation of the award, which was designed by deBoulle. 

Caroline Rose Hunt, Robert Backbill

The Award serves to recognize outstanding citizens who have demonstrated a commitment to beautification, education and the advancement of the environment and quality of life. “In the Flora Award’s 31 years, we have enjoyed an exceptional list of honorees, and this year continues that incredible tradition,” said 2013 Flora Award co chair, Jennifer Huff.  Co chair Courtney Love added: “Jan Pickens is tireless in her quest to raise money and awareness for the causes she holds dear.  Her work with the Salvation Army is revered, and for Texas Discovery Gardens, it was Jan who took the Flora Award from a simple tea and turned it into the elegant event it is today.  She has grace, elegance and a deep faith -- there is no one more deserving of this award than she.” 

Allison and Bob Farrow

Pickens has been instrumental in Texas Discovery Gardens’ mission by serving as a volunteer, Board member and chair of the Flora Award.  Her extensive work in the community includes support for countless organizations, including the Salvation Army, for which she was recognized by their National Board with the “Others” Award, the Junior League of Dallas, the Crystal Charity Ball Committee, Women’s Guild of the Dallas Society for Crippled Children, United Way, the Dallas Woman’s Club, Dallas Historical Society, M.D. Anderson, United Cerebral Palsy of Metropolitan Dallas for which she received the 2003 “Distinguished Service Award”, Meals on Wheels and many more.  Most recently, the Dallas Alumnae Club of Pi Beta Phi honored her with the 2012 Founder’s Day Award for Community Service.

Flora Award 2013 designed by deBoulle

Funds raised through the Flora Award help Texas Discovery Gardens’ staff achieve their mission to teach effective ways to restore, conserve and preserve nature in an urban setting, with a focus on gardening organically and sustainably.  This year the Flora Award efforts brought an immense amount of support including a Diamond Sponsor donation of $25,000 from Barbara Hunt Crow, a Platinum Sponsor donation of $15,000 from Jan and Bob Pickens, Peggy and Carl Sewell and Al Hill, Jr., a Gold Sponsor donation of $10,000 from Nancy M. Dedman and Ellen and Paul Flowers and a Silver Sponsor donation of $7500 from Ellen and John McStay. Past winners have included Ellen and John McStay, Ebby Halliday Acers, Peggy and Carl Sewell, Dee and Charles Wyly, Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison and last year’s recipient, Barbara Hunt Crow.

Janet Smith, Waverly Smith

For more information or to contribute a donation to Texas Discovery Gardens please contact Sarah Gardner, Marketing Manager, at 214-428-7476, ext. 230, or e-mail SGardner@TexasDiscoveryGardens.org. Media Contact is Sabra Girard, sabra@sg-pr.com, 469.688.4674.  

Peggy Sewell, Nancy Dedman, Billie Leigh Rippey, Linda Gibbons

Photos by Daniel Driensky

Texas Discovery Gardens - 2013 Flora Award Recipient Announced

Jan Pickens, Carolyn Lupton, Robert Grackvill, Caroline Rose Hunt, Dee Wyly

Texas Discovery Gardens has announced that Jan Pickens will be the 2013 recipient of the prestigious Flora Award. On November 7, 2013 at 7PM, Pickens will be honored at the annual black-tie gala in Fair Park for her devotion to helping the community and long-time support of the Gardens. The Award serves to recognize outstanding citizens who have demonstrated a commitment to beautification, education and the advancement of the environment and quality of life. 

Jennifer Huff, Courtney Love

“In the Flora Award’s 31 years, we have enjoyed an exceptional list of honorees, and this year continues that incredible tradition,” said 2013 Flora Award co chair, Jennifer Huff.  Co chair Courtney Love added: “Jan Pickens is tireless in her quest to raise money and awareness for the causes she holds dear.  Her work with the Salvation Army is revered, and for Texas Discovery Gardens, it was Jan who took the Flora Award from a simple tea and turned it into the elegant event it is today.  She has grace, elegance and a deep faith -- there is no one more deserving of this award than she.”

Grant Rogan, Tiffany Divis

Pickens has been instrumental in Texas Discovery Gardens’ mission by serving as a volunteer, Board member and chair of the Flora Award.  Her extensive work in the community includes support for countless organizations, including the Salvation Army, for which she was recognized by their National Board with the “Others” Award, the Junior League of Dallas, the Crystal Charity Ball Committee, Women’s Guild of the Dallas Society for Crippled Children, United Way, the Dallas Woman’s Club, Dallas Historical Society, M.D. Anderson, United Cerebral Palsy of Metropolitan Dallas for which she received the 2003 “Distinguished Service Award”, Meals on Wheels and many more.  Most recently, the Dallas Alumnae Club of Pi Beta Phi honored her with the 2012 Founder’s Day Award for Community Service. 

Lynn McBee, Jan Pickens

Funds raised through the Flora Award help Texas Discovery Gardens’ staff achieve their mission to teach effective ways to restore, conserve and preserve nature in an urban setting, with a focus on gardening organically and sustainably.  Past winners have included Ellen and John McStay, Ebby Halliday Acers, Peggy and Carl Sewell, Dee and Charles Wyly, Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison and last year’s recipient, Barbara Hunt Crow.

  

The 2013 Flora Award will be held at Texas Discovery Gardens November 7, 2013. Tickets start at $300 and tables start at $3,000.  Those who purchase tables or tickets $500 and above will be invited to a Patron Party which will be held at the house of Mrs. Charles Wyly on September 18, 2013. For ticket information, call Sarah Gardner, Marketing Manager, at 214-428-7476, ext. 230, or e-mail SGardner@TexasDiscoveryGardens.org. 

Walking in a Butterfly Wonderland

Texas Discovery Gardens hosts a magical Butterfly Wonderland this holiday season! Tonight, December 1st, stop by from 4:00-9:00 PM for a stroll through the butterfly house, wine and champagne, appetizers, and desserts. Then on Saturday, December 3rd, join the gardens for Family Day at the Butterfly Wonderland from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM, including face painting, live music, and activities. Visit http://texasdiscoverygardens.org/Wonderland.php for more information.

Texas Discovery Gardens Goes Tropical

Travel to the tropics without leaving the city limits!

January 29, 2011

10 am to 2 pm

Take a mini vacation to the tropics for a day at Texas Discovery Gardens. Enjoy a stroll through the tropical butterfly house, get a peak at the new insect displays, enjoy insect and flower crafts, and dance to some island music with the ‘Mecca & Martin Good Humor Band'! The first 300 visitors receive leis, and tropical dress is encouraged. The daily butterfly talk will take place at noon, featuring many colorful tropical butterflies.

Admission is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and $4 for children ages 3-11.

Click here for more information on the gardens and the tropical event.