COVID-19 UPDATES
Safety Guidelines
Read our face covering policy and all safety guidelines here.
Announcement Timeline
Update: June 17, 2020
The Wildflower Center will reopen Friday, June 19, by reservation. Contact tracing by The University of Texas at Austin Occupational Health Program confirmed that no guests made contact with the two staff members who tested positive for COVID-19. Both are at home and recovering. Additionally, there have been no other positive test results among staff.
Per the recommendation of the university’s Environmental Health and Safety office, the Center closed for more than a week. We have now been cleared to open by EHS and will be disinfecting all restrooms and administrative spaces prior to Friday, June 19. Staff are still required to wear face coverings at all times inside buildings and whenever performing job duties in the presence of others.
We will continue to take every measure to protect our guests and staff, and we ask that our guests help us in this endeavor. We strongly recommend that guests wear face coverings at all times, wash hands often, and maintain a 6-foot distance from anyone outside of their household.
Update: June 11, 2020
Test results have confirmed the second case of COVID-19 among Wildflower Center staff (which was, as of our June 10 update, pending results). The Wildflower Center is remains closed.
Update: June 10, 2020
The Wildflower Center was saddened to learn late on June 9 that one of our staff members tested positive for COVID-19, and another staff member is exhibiting symptoms. The latter is awaiting test results. In order to ensure the safety of our guests and staff, we have closed the Wildflower Center effective June 10.
Any guests who have purchased tickets will immediately be issued a full refund. Member reservations will be cancelled.
The affected staff members are currently in isolation, and no other staff members are experiencing symptoms at this time.
The Center will follow the guidance of The University of Texas at Austin Occupational Health Program, the CDC and local health officials to ensure the safety of our staff and guests and determine a safe date for reopening. We will remain closed until further notice.
Navigating a pandemic is a challenging experience for all of us; we will keep you apprised as we learn more. Please follow us on social media and/or join our email list for updates.
We are dedicated to the health and well-being of the Wildflower Center community and will move through this challenge together in spirit until we can once again be together in the gardens.
Update: May 18, 2020
The Wildflower Center will open to both members and non-members on Saturday, May 23, in limited numbers by reservation only.
Update: May 5, 2020
The Center will be open to limited numbers of members each day by reservation only beginning May 9, 2020.
Update: April 14, 2020
To protect the wellness of our staff, volunteers and guests and comply with updated City of Austin health regulations, the Wildflower Center will be closed to the public until June 1. We will reopen at that time if the situation allows.
All of our previously scheduled classes, events and programs until June 1 are cancelled or postponed, including our Spring Native Plant Sale. Click here to learn more about the plant sale cancellation.
If you have questions or concerns about a class or program you have registered for, please email [email protected].
If you have questions or concerns about a private event you have booked or an event you purchased tickets for, please email [email protected].
If you are a member or would like to become one, please visit this page; questions related to membership can be directed to [email protected].
In the meantime, we are working hard to (safely) keep the Wildflower Center beautiful, blooming and ready for your next visit. And we will continue to share the joys of spring wildflowers and great nature stories through social media and email.
After all, as Lady Bird Johnson said: “Where flowers bloom, so does hope.”
Support the Center
The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center needs your support now more than ever. We rely entirely on memberships, admissions, donations, class registrations, ticket sales and private events to operate, and all of these revenue streams have been impacted. Your one-time or sustaining monthly donation directly supports our operations and keeps our mission alive.
