Charlottesville, VA – February 26, 2026 – The Botanical Garden of the Piedmont is the recipient of a $1 million grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to support the Garden’s innovative, landscape-integrated water infrastructure. The Garden is raising an additional approximately $1.4 million to fulfill the requirements of the grant, creating an opportunity for donor support to fully unlock this critical funding.

The grant advances a core component of future Garden construction: a comprehensive water management system that will capture, filter, and reuse stormwater from buildings and paved surfaces. The project will protect a recently restored stream, improve water quality, and demonstrate sustainable design in action. While the Garden spans just 15 acres, the system is designed with the broader Chesapeake Bay Watershed in mind, reinforcing the Garden’s role as both a local asset and a regional model.

“The Garden’s proposed water infrastructure is a practical and forward-thinking investment in both conservation and education,” said Stefanie K. Taillon, Virginia’s former Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources. “By collecting and filtering rainwater from hard surfaces and directing it into a purpose-built aquatics garden, the system will reduce runoff, improve water quality, and serve as a visible demonstration of sustainable design.”

The water infrastructure is integrated into the Garden’s construction plans, supporting gardens and gathering spaces while strengthening native habitat and long term ecological health. “Meeting the Botanical Garden of the Piedmont’s long-range improvement and sustainable development goals will have a significant impact on Charlottesville and Central Virginia,” said Senator Creigh Deeds. “Their work will improve the quality of life in the region, educate Virginians about conservation, and preserve land that impacts their locality and other parts of the state from stream drainage into the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.”

Designed to be both functional and educational, the system will store clean stormwater in an underground cistern and purpose-built pond, return filtered water to the landscape for irrigation, and incorporate rain gardens and native plantings to naturally clean runoff from paved areas.

“This work also offers meaningful opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration, research, and community engagement,” said Lawrence E. Band, Ernest Ern Professor of Environmental Science at the University of Virginia. “The Garden is uniquely positioned to serve as both a living laboratory and a public classroom – connecting science, design, and stewardship in ways that are increasingly important to the future of our outdoor spaces.”

For the Garden’s Design Committee, the project reflects a broader philosophy guiding the entire site. “We’ve been very intentional about making sustainability part of every area of the future Garden,” said Jay Townsend, Chair of the Garden’s Design Committee. “This system shows how innovative design can support natural habitat, meet long-term water needs, and help visitors understand that even a site like ours plays a role in a much larger watershed.” The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation-supported infrastructure will serve as a replicable model for sustainable design, ecological restoration, and community engagement. The initiative aligns conservation outcomes with public access and education as construction of the Garden moves forward. The Garden is deeply grateful for this transformational grant and the support of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

About the Botanical Garden of the Piedmont
The Botanical Garden of the Piedmont is a 501(c)3 organization that is building an urban oasis and community resource for all residents of and visitors to greater Central Virginia. The Garden will be a neighborhood hub and discovery center, celebrating the flora of Central Virginia and inspiring connection, learning, and joy through nature. For more information about the grant, please visit  www.piedmontgarden.org/NFWF. Details about upcoming programs and educational opportunities can be found at www.piedmontgarden.org.

About the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
Charted by Congress in 1984, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) protects and restores the nation’s fish, wildlife, plants and habitats. Working with federal, corporate and individual partners, NFWF has funded more than 4,500 organizations and committed more than $5.3 billion to conservation projects. Learn more at www.nfwf.org.

About the Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund
The Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund is a pooled grant fund managed by National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and made possible through significant annual funding from EPA’s Chesapeake Bay Program Office, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Forest Service, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, corporate and foundation partners.

Contact: Danielle Grieser, Capital Campaign Director
d.grieser@piedmontgarden.org, (434) 953-0060 x5

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