Membership

Plant the Seeds of the Future

Betty Ford Alpine Gardens is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. We depend on the generous support of our members and donors to continue the important work of protecting the alpine habitats of the world. The native plant species, and the birds and animals that rely on them for survival, are being threatened by effects of climate change such as drought, rising temperatures, and invasive species. We need your support to continue the scientific research, education and conservation efforts that are the foundation of the Gardens.

There are many ways to support the Gardens

Please consider an Annual Membership at any level; it is the best way to ensure the continuation of our work. Each level offers additional benefits, from complimentary event tickets to special tours.

Leadership gifts are a way to support the Gardens with a gift of significance, and donations may be directed to support specific activities. Our Leadership Circle enjoys special access and invitations to events throughout the year, with opportunities for exclusive tours with the Gardens Director, Nicola Ripley.

We have an active volunteer community that lends support in many ways throughout the year, and creates an atmosphere of belonging and connection to the Vail community. We welcome new volunteers all the time and would love to see you in our Gardens.

Member Benefits

Included with all memberships.

  • Membership Card that provides reciprocal free admission to over 300 member gardens nationwide. (Please check the list at Reciprocal Gardens Program for participating gardens.)
  • Front-of-the-line access to purchase Chefs In The Gardens tickets. This event sells out every year, but members receive access to purchase online in advance of general sales to the public.
  • 10% Off all purchases in our Garden Gift Shops
  • Member discounts on select Speaker and Workshop Series events
  • eNewsletter with news, advice, and announcements about current happenings in the Gardens

 

Yellow Old-Man-of-the-Mountains flowers on a hillside in the alpine - Betty Ford Alpine Gardens

Membership Levels

Help save our Alpine habitats. Annual memberships power the Gardens and are one of the best ways to show your support of our mission, our education programs, and conservation work. Become a Member at the lowest level, just $50 per year, and you will unlock base level benefits. 

Memberships renew on an annual basis and you will receive a renewal reminder the month prior to expiration. Or you may choose to support the Gardens with a monthly gift.*

*Some members choose to use Donor Advised Funds and decline the benefits associated with membership. Our Tax ID is #74-2395097.

$50 - Friend

  • 1 membership card
  • Free Admission to Betty Ford Alpine Gardens

$75 - Friends and Family

  • Two Membership Cards
  • Free admission to Betty Ford Alpine Gardens

$125 - Supporting

  • 2 Membership Cards
  • Free Admission to Betty Ford Alpine Gardens
  • Complimentary Snowshoe Rentals in the Winter

$250 - Sustaining

  • 2 Membership Cards
  • Free Admission to Betty Ford Alpine Gardens
  • Complimentary Snowshoe Rentals in the Winter
  • 2 Complimentary Tickets to Summer Workshop

 

$500 - Advocate

  • 2 Membership Cards
  • Free Admission to Betty Ford Alpine Gardens
  • Complimentary Snowshoe Rentals in the Winter
  • 2 Complimentary Tickets to Summer Workshop
  • Invitation to Garden Soiree, exclusive Donor Appreciation Party

 

$1000 - Champion

  • 2 Membership Cards
  • Free Admission to Betty Ford Alpine Gardens
  • Complimentary Snowshoe Rentals in the Winter
  • 2 Complimentary Tickets to Summer Workshop
  • Invitation to Garden Soiree, exclusive Donor Appreciation Party
  • Invitation to Director’s Coffee, Morning Updates in the Summer

 

$2500 - Fellow

  • 2 Membership Cards
  • Free Admission to Betty Ford Alpine Gardens
  • Complimentary Snowshoe Rentals in the Winter
  • 2 Complimentary Tickets to Summer Workshop
  • Invitation to Garden Soiree, exclusive Donor Appreciation Party
  • Invitation to Director’s Coffee, Morning Updates in the Summer
  • Complimentary Tour with Curator (put to 8 guests)

$5000 - Ambassador

  • 2 Membership Cards
  • Free Admission to Betty Ford Alpine Gardens
  • Complimentary Snowshoe Rentals in the Winter
  • 2 Complimentary Tickets to Summer Workshop
  • Invitation to Garden Soiree, exclusive Donor Appreciation Party
  • Invitation to Director’s Coffee, Morning Updates in the Summer
  • Complimentary Tour with Curator (put to 8 guests)
  • Discounted Rate for Rooftop Terrace Rental

How Your Donations Help

We rely on your donations to support our mission to protect and preserve Alpine plants and their habitats. Your support is needed to help us with research, programming, acquisition of plants, collection and preservation of native seeds, and special events to help educate and broaden awareness of the importance of alpine environments. Below are just a few of the ways your donations have helped protect Alpine habitats around the world.

Alpine Plant Conservation Strategy

Beginning in 2020, we partnered with Denver Botanic Gardens to author the North American Botanic Garden Strategy for Alpine Plant Conservation. Through a series of Objectives and Targets we have created a plan for protecting North America’s alpine plants, with a view to collaboration across North America between various research organizations and individuals who can lend support. You can view the Alpine Strategy to better understand our work.

Special Exhibits

Special Exhibits in the Education Center. Additional funding through donations and grants helps us stage important educational exhibits about topics such as pollinators, climate change, and the evolution of birds from dinosaurs. Our most recent nationally acclaimed exhibit, Dinosaurs Among Us, was made possible through the support of our members and community.

Colorado Alpine EcoFlora Project

The Colorado Alpine EcoFlora Project is helping us understand and document Alpine plant diversity. Primary to this project is knowing where the plants are, and when they are blooming. This is a community-science botany project powered by iNaturalist, the free, easy-to-use nature identification app. The two goals of this project are:

  1. Increase awareness of and appreciation for alpine plants in Colorado; and
  2. Obtain research-grade observational data from around the state that will help us understand distributions of alpine plants.

Workshops and Speaker Series

Our Workshops and Speaker Series help educate and deepen understanding of the importance of Alpine plants and the animals, insects, and birds that rely on them for survival. Each summer, the Gardens seeks out and finds unique speakers, authors, and experts on relevant topics to host affordable educational events that also bring our community together in a beautiful and pristine mountain environment.

Betty Ford Alpine Gardens Seed Preservation

Garden Soiree

July 24, 2024

Advocate+

Tour of Alpine with Executive Director

July & Aug 2024 Champion+

Gift Memberships

For the nature-lover in your life, the person who cares about conservation or that person that you really want to give a gift that says “I care about what you care about.” You can purchase a year-long membership that connects them with the nature cause they love.

Alpine Plant Conservation Strategy

Beginning in 2020, we partnered with Denver Botanic Gardens to author the North American Botanic Garden Strategy for Alpine Plant Conservation. Through a series of Objectives and Targets we have created a plan for protecting North America’s alpine plants, with a view to collaboration across North America between various research organizations and individuals who can lend support. You can view the Alpine Strategy to better understand our work.

Betty Ford Alpine Gardens Seed Preservation

Leadership Giving

Leadership circle
$10,000+

Be a steward of Betty Ford Alpine Gardens’ future. Members of the Leadership Circle receive all of the benefits of membership and are invited to exclusive leadership circle updates direct from our Executive Director, Nicola Ripley.  Members are also invited to exclusive behind-the-scenes opportunities throughout the summer.

Members of the Leadership Circle can choose to support the operations of the Gardens or support a specific project.

 

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