Founded in 2015, the Zilker Botanical Garden Conservancy (ZBGC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to restoring and enhancing this beloved garden on the banks of Lady Bird Lake. We support ongoing improvements to the Garden’s landscape and visitor experience and are preparing for Phase 2 of the vision plan and an upcoming capital campaign.
The Conservancy also leads a growing range of programs, including hands-on STEM field trips for K–12 students and underwriting transportation and fees for Title I schools.
As a community hub, Zilker Botanical Garden welcomes more than 125,000 visitors each year and is home to 26 active garden clubs. The Zilker Botanical Garden Conservancy team is committed to protecting and advancing this treasured space for generations to come, with plans to assume more operational responsibilities as the Garden continues to evolve.
The Conservancy Staff
As Operations Manager, Heather oversees and implements SOPs, training, visitor services, contracts, and calendar planning between all partners. Heather has been developing her career in Operations Management for 20 years, within varying business structures. Her work values have focused on project collaborations, staff advocacy, and creative problem-solving. She hails from San Antonio, Texas, but moved to Austin over 20 years ago.
As Curator, Jeff is responsible for the development of the Garden’s living collections. This includes the cataloging and labeling of plants as well as caring for and expanding greenhouse collections. Jeff has been working in horticulture for 18 years and is an expert on succulent flora. He is the VP of Education for the Austin Cactus and Succulent Society and serves as the Immediate Past President of the Cactus and Succulent Society of America. In 2015, he helped found the Conservancy and was Interim Executive Director from 2018 to 2020. Prior to working with plants, he received a BFA in Studio Art from the University of Texas with an emphasis on graphic design, photography, and printmaking. Originally from near Houston, Jeff has called Austin home since 1988.
As Education Coordinator, Janie plays a key role in fostering horticultural and environmental education. Janie organizes school field trips, collaborates with the garden’s docents, and oversees the development and implementation of educational workshops, ensuring that visitors of all ages have access to engaging, nature-based learning opportunities. Originally from Fort Worth Texas, Janie has lived in Austin for five years and enjoys visiting new parks, kayaking around Lady Bird Lake and growing her plant collection. A graduate of Texas A&M University, Janie brings a strong foundation in education and a passion for nature.
As the Marketing and Communications Specialist, Julia blends her expertise in digital media outreach with her passion for local environmental and sustainability nonprofits. While completing her dual degree in Communications and Radio-TV-Film at the University of Texas, she explored a variety of media design methods and practices, including photography/videography, graphic design, copywriting, and multimedia design. Since graduating in 2023, she has worked with several eco-nonprofits in Austin to manage and develop their social media + digital strategy as well as create robust online campaigns that ring with authenticity and build community support.
The Executive Board
Leah Romero is a native Texan and senior associate at the award-winning local landscape architecture firm, Word + Carr Design Group. She is a civic-minded designer, dedicated to serving her community by investing in its outdoor spaces. Having served on the board since 2020, Leah was instrumental in reviving the garden programming when it became safe to meet outside. In addition to serving on the board of the Zilker Botanical Garden Conservancy, Leah is a soprano in the Austin Symphonic Chorus.
My educational background is in Business Administration, with an emphasis in finance and accounting. My professional background includes many diverse experiences such as, community banking, pricing mutual funds to be printed daily in the Wall Street Journal, working for three elected officials, fundraising for animal welfare, and providing search and rescue services to New Orleans pets after Hurricane Katrina, just to name a few.
In 2005, I started my own business, Stephanie Hunter Enterprises, assisting clients in fundraising and management and this is when I developed a passion for real estate. I built some residential spec homes in Rockport and Austin, Texas that proved to be a fun experience and led me to my real estate license. I love Austin and all the benefits that come with living in such a spectacular community. I am a design and architecture enthusiast and I recently received my “GREEN” designation in order to learn these concepts, principles and practices that is affecting every facet of real estate as well as many other industries. I strive to stay current on the market and meet my clients needs for the most important financial decision many will ever make.
I am an active contributor to the Austin community, as a member of the Junior League of Austin and a graduate of Leadership Austin. I have served on several boards and been a volunteer with many non-profit organizations. Prior to my professional careers, I played competitive tennis all over the world.
An Austin native and active gardener, August has nearly fifty years of combined nonprofit experience. In his leadership capacities, he has overseen key organizational areas including budget, audit and finance. His career in the financial service sector spanning nearly forty years has included real estate sales, all phases of real estate asset management, as well as the provision of B2B and B2C services to a diverse range of businesses. Since 2011, he has also provided expertise in finance, governance, fund development, management, strategic planning, and advocacy as a nonprofit consultant.
In addition to his role as treasurer of the Zilker Botanical Garden Conservancy, he currently serves the public as a Board Member on the State Bar of Texas. Prior to that, he served as Vice Chair of the Texas Historical Commission, as Chair of the City of Austin’s Downtown Commission, and as a Board Member for Preservation Texas.. August also has served in leadership roles for numerous civic organizations including Leadership Austin, the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce, Preservation Austin, the Texas School for the Deaf Foundation, and the Austin High School Continuing Education Foundation among many others. August graduated with a BA in Liberal Arts from the University of Texas at Austin, is a state certified mediator, and holds a Texas Real Estate License and is a practicing Realtor with Moreland Properties.
Michael Garcia came to the garden first as an intern in the summer of 2022 and has remained a passionate volunteer. He was elected to the board in May of 2025.
Michael is a dedicated public servant and active community member. He currently serves as a legal assistant at the Texas Judicial Commission on Mental Health (JCMH) and previously worked as a water compliance analyst at the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). Michael also advocates for children in the welfare system as a volunteer with CASA of Travis County, promotes natural green spaces as a Texas State Parks Ambassador, and organizes community as a political activist. He is a graduate of Texas A&M University with a dual bachelor’s degree in Horticultural Sciences and Political Science.
Michael hopes to give back to the place that deepened his passion for horticulture by helping others discover the beauty and value of the botanical world. Through his role on the board, he is dedicated to fostering a welcoming space where community, education, and a love for horticulture can continue to flourish.
Board Members
- Sally Dickson
- Curt Finch
- Chuck Foster
- Abby Frank
- Margaret Galton
- Vijay Ganju
- Jennifer Poteat
- Rachel Raise
- Robert Ramos
- Autumn Williams
Emeritus Board Members
- Frank Cooksey
- Evan Taniguchi
- Mary Ann Neely
- Collette Pierce
- Ed Parken