named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Children's Garden and GEM Program
Educational programs for school children in grades K-3 focusing on life and Earth science through nature-based learning experiences
Garden Docent Program
Trained volunteers lead informative group tours of the gardens, focusing on plant collections, horticulture, and Arboretum history
Hands-on Gardening Volunteer Program
Volunteers assist horticulture staff with greenhouse work, planting, garden maintenance, and seasonal projects from February through December
Special Events and Community Classes
Hosts seasonal events including Lights in Bloom and the Holiday Boutique, as well as adult educational classes in leaf casting, hypertufa, and pruning
activities · 8 groups
What they do
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Public Garden Tours and Events 1 activity
- Hosts educational programs, community outreach events, and special eventsOrganizes and conducts tours, educational classes for adults and children, and special events such as leaf casting, hypertufa workshops, and pruning demonstrations; also hosts seasonal events including Lights in Bloom.
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Community Stewardship Volunteer Programs 1 activity
- Manages volunteer program supporting horticultural and event activitiesEngages volunteers in seasonal gardening, greenhouse work, plant sales, garden maintenance, bulb planting, and event-related crafting for the Christmas Boutique, contributing thousands of hours annually.
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Free Public Access Nature Sites 1 activity
- Operates and maintains public access to the Orange County ArboretumManages the arboretum grounds daily from dawn to dusk, offering free admission and maintaining picnic tables, trash and recycling facilities, and year-round access regardless of weather conditions.
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Community Event Fundraising 1 activity
- Organizes annual fundraising eventsHosts recurring fundraisers including a spring plant sale and a December holiday boutique to support the care and upkeep of the gardens and grounds.
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Horticultural Education and Community Gardening 1 activity
- Promotes gardening in public areasAdvances public horticultural engagement through the development and maintenance of gardens and educational programming at the arboretum.
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Onsite & Outreach Environmental Education Programs 1 activity
- Provides environmental education and hosts school programsOffers life and Earth science education through the Children's Garden and hosts school groups, families, and children's organizations; runs the GEM Program for K–3 students with educational trips each May.
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Event Venue Rental Services 1 activity
- Provides event rental space for public and private gatheringsOffers indoor event space with garden views, a small kitchen, and flushing restrooms for up to 48 people; allows tents for larger outdoor events such as weddings, with events restricted to end by 9 PM and subject to additional fees.
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Historic Garden Preservation and Support 1 activity
- Supports horticultural excellence and environmental education through donor-funded programsUses donor contributions to maintain a historic property, support year-round care of tree collections, and develop new educational and community programs for all ages.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$90K
Contributions & grants$4K4%
Program service revenue$4K5%
Investment income$2K2%
Other revenue—
expenses
Total expenses$84K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits—
Grants paid out—
balance sheet
Total assets$254K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$254K
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -30.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 2
- DANIEL O'BANKS — DIRECTOR
- MARIE PULVIRENT — DIRECTOR
relationships · 6
Who they work with
- Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan Partner — Collaborates to provide a philanthropic channel for supporting the arboretum and honoring individuals.
- Friends of the Orange County Arboretum Partner — Manages and maintains the Orange County Arboretum for public benefit.
- Judy Partner — Contact person for coordinating school trips through the GEM Program.
- Orange County Parks Government — Coordinates with Orange County Parks department for visitor inquiries and policy enforcement.
- Peter Patel Government — Horticulturist working directly with volunteers at the Orange County Arboretum
- Thomas Bull Memorial Park Partner — Located within Thomas Bull Memorial Park and shares site access and visitor policies.
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Donor- and Membership-Supported Sustainability Modelmethodology: donor_supported_modelBy relying on donations, membership dues, and commemorative giving, the organization funds operations and expands public awareness, because sustained community financial engagement ensures long-term viability and mission alignment.
- Garden-Based Environmental Educationmethodology: garden_based_educationBy using the arboretum as a living classroom, the organization fosters environmental education and engagement through direct, nature-connected experiences that teach life and Earth science, because immersive, place-based learning increases understanding and stewardship of natural systems.
- Volunteer-Integrated Horticultural Operationsmethodology: volunteer_integrated_operationsBy integrating trained volunteers into horticultural work under professional supervision, the organization sustains and improves its grounds, because combining community labor with expert oversight enables cost-effective maintenance while fostering stewardship and public ownership.