The San Francisco Botanical Garden is a beloved institution at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. It is recognized internationally for its significant and diverse plant collections. The Botanical Garden operates as part of a unique partnership between the City of San Francisco and the San Francisco Botanical Garden Society, a partnership that has endured for nearly 60 years. BMWL worked to strengthen the long-standing relationship.

In 2009, with the city running a budget deficit and making across-the-board cuts to city departments, the Botanical Garden needed additional revenue to continue regular operations and programming. The answer was securing approval for a highly controversial non-resident admission fee before the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.

BMWL developed a winning political and organizing strategy that included an aggressive communications plan, public outreach and mobilization of Botanical Garden friends and supporters. Our work initially resulted in passage of the fee for one year with a sunset clause. We worked to successfully renew the fee the following year and most recently in 2013, secured passage of the fee permanently, a win for our client, for the people of San Francisco and people all over the world who enjoy San Francisco’s world-class garden.

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