Thank you so much for supporting the Cincinnati Botanical Garden & Zoo! Zootanical is a great celebration of our botanical garden and supports the vast array of work done by our Horticulture Team.
Because of you...
A record breaking evening, raising over $250,000! All of the proceeds from Zootanical benefit the Botanical Garden!
Chaired by Linnea & Tim Bonacci and Alexa & Jack Oliver! We are so grateful for their time, energy and enthusiasm around making Zootanical a blooming success!
A Bloomin' Cocktail Hour
We kicked off the evening with a welcome reception surrounded by tulips, cocktails, appetizers and a Sound Bath in the Asian garden at Elephant Trek!
Our public garden has the highest attendance of any botanical garden in North America! We offer numerous plant-based educational programs, conduct botanical research and have a nationally recognized plant conservation program.
Throughout our botanical garden, folks can learn about what and how to plant, purchase the best plants for our region, and get involved in helping native pollinators and other wildlife right where we live. Basically, we are saving the world one pollinator at a time!
An evening to remember!
Zootanical was a sold out event welcoming over 300 guests!
Sold Out!
17 Botanical Themed items and experiences were available for bid in the silent auction! From hippo and elephant garden statues, a Fiona weathervane, Zoo experiences and more there was something for everyone to bid on! Thank you to everyone who donated items for the silent auction, we are so grateful for your support.
The Swamp Chestnut Oak was discovered by Andre Michaux, French botanist and explorer. These trees may grow to be 60 to 80 feet tall!
Thanks to all of our guests who purchased a Swamp Chestnut Oak Tree! If you are interested in buying one, please contact Christina Anderson at christina.anderson@cincinnatizoo.org
Please Welcome our Keynote Speaker: Steve Foltz, Director of Horticulture
Steve Foltz started his career in 1983 and 1984 as an intern from the University of Kentucky Horticulture Program. In 1988, he was hired as a full-time Horticulture Manager to assist in helping make the Garden a more visible part of the Zoo experience. In 2002, he became the Director of Horticulture, with the goal of taking horticulture at the Zoo to the next level. With the support of our leadership team, the Zoo Board, and the best Horticulture team in the country, and the many volunteers who support us, we have achieved our mission; to take seventy acres in the middle of an urban area and create a world class garden that we all could be proud of!
"I like to envision the Horticulture department as a large, healthy tree. The vast root system represents 150 years of growth and support within the Zoo. The strong trunk, with water and nutrients flowing up and down, represents our expertise and the sharing of information with visitors, home gardeners, and green industry partners across the country. Our leaves absorb energy from those who believe in our mission and support us, and we convert that energy into fruit that nourishes are neighbors, our community."
"All of this started with a little garden— a seed—and thanks to your support we are impacting the lives of so many people both at the Zoo and in our community. Whether you are an avid gardener, or just the recipient of shade from a tree or beauty from flowers, it is important to acknowledge how horticulture impacts everyday life!"
Thank you to everyone who came out and supported Zootanical. It was out most successful horticultural fundraising event in history! Folks were great to come out and the weather on Friday night proves that gardeners are intrepid!
Thank you for caring. Thank you for coming. And thank you for going out and planting something fun in your garden! See you again next year!
Deepest thanks to Zootanical Committee chaired by Alexa & Jack Oliver and Linnea & Tim Bonacci. Thank you all for your wonderful support of Zoo Horticulture.
- Thane Maynard, Zoo Director
Zootanical Committee
Christina Anderson, Justina Block, Joe Boggs, Jen Castellini, Cathy Crain, Lucy Davis, Katie Heekin, Austin Heidt, Chris Hock, Sally Leyman, George Molinsky, Jane Novak-Cook, Kevin O’Dell, David Plogmann, Bill Ripley, Anya Sanchez, Jeff Sperry, and John Williams
Zootanical Chairs: Linnea & Tim Bonacci
Zootanical Co-Chairs: Alexa & Jack Oliver
Cincinnati's Horticultural enthusiasts couldn't be deterred from a marvelous evening celebrating the best Botanical Garden and Zoo. I think it's safe to say the Botanical Garden in Spring is the place to be. Fun night for all! -Jack & Alexa Oliver
New This Year!
Our butterfly bidders enjoyed a live auction with unique experiences, including: a Botanical Weekend in New York City, A Feast in a Field, Luxury Lodge Box Suite at a Columbus Blue Jackets NHL Game and a Private Luxury Suite at a Cincinnati Reds Game!
Special thanks to Sam Cowan for being our auctioneer and creating a fun & energetic experience for our guests!
A little cold weather couldn't keep you away from supporting our botanical garden!
Thank you to our photographer Lisa Hubbard for capturing all of the fun!
Thank You!
Because of you, we had a successful evening, raising over $250,000 in support of our Botanical Gardens!
Interested in supporting Zootanical and the Botanical Garden? Contact Christina Anderson at Christina.Anderson@CincinnatiZoo.org
Sharing is caring! We would love for you to share this recap with your guests!