The annual Brooklyn Botanic Garden Spring Gala hosted over 600 friends to honor Better Earth Award recipient Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson and celebrate the beauty of the Garden. Thanks to the generosity of many, the event raised over $1.2 million this year! The Gala provides invaluable support to keep BBG thriving, from caring for living collections to offering environmental education for all ages, ensuring over 800,000 people each year can connect with nature, learn, and find quiet moments among the trees. If you didn’t make it to the Gala this year, we would love to see you there next year! You can still contribute to BBG by making a gift below or calling Development at 718-623-7356. Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson
Jon and Ali Schippers 5:30 p.m. | Strolling Cocktails 7:30 p.m. | Dinner, Drinks, and Dancing 9 p.m. | Drinks and Dancing | After Party
Join us for an enchanted evening in the Garden as we celebrate our shared connection to nature and BBG’s long history of environmental education and leadership.
Proceeds from the Spring Gala provide essential support for the Garden—sustaining the care of BBG’s collections, programs, and community. Tickets range from $750 to $5,000; tables for ten start at $15,000.
The evening’s menu will be designed and prepared by Union Square Events. Each course will feature fresh, seasonal ingredients that were sustainably grown and harvested.
Festive botanical attire encouraged. Tickets held at the door. Complimentary parking provided for cocktails and dinner guests.
For more information, contact Brooklyn Botanic Garden at [email protected].
Scientist, Climate Policy Expert, Author, Educator Dr. Ayana Johnson is a scientist, policy expert, author, and educator working to help create the best possible climate future. Born in Brooklyn, the daughter of a teacher/farmer and architect/potter, one of her first jobs while still in college was as a summer educator with BBG’s Plant Investigator program for middle school students.
She has dedicated herself to broadening audiences for climate change communications, lifting and engaging a wide range of voices (students, teachers, community members, experts, artists), and seeking to instill a solutions-oriented approach and awareness that everyone has a role to play in this effort.
Ayana authored the New York Times bestseller What If We Get it Right?: Visions of Climate Futures, coedited the bestselling anthology All We Can Save, and cocreated and cohosted the podcast How to Save a Planet. She also serves on the board of directors for Patagonia and GreenWave, and the advisory board of Environmental Voter Project.
The Spring Gala has passed, but you can still contribute to BBG by making a gift below or by calling Development at 718-623-7356.A magical evening, thanks to you
Gala Details
Honoring
Scientist, Climate Policy Expert, Author, Educator
Better Earth Award
Gala Chairs
Chloe Thevenoz and Joe Lallouz
Bob and Donna Whiteford
Sharon Volckhausen and John Buretta
Champagne at the Diane H. and Joseph S. Steinberg Visitor Center
Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres on the Plant Family Collection lawn
on Cherry EsplanadeEvent Contributors
Honoree
Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson
Spring Gala 2025 Tables and Tickets
Spring Gala 2025
Special Events
Tuesday, June 3, 2025 | 5:30–11:30 p.m.
Ticketed Event
Image, top of page: Photo by Will Ragozzino.