Today we’d like to introduce you to Deborah Markey.
Deborah, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’ll be celebrating 12 years with the Arboretum on August 1st. I had an accounting degree and also a previous career in Management Consulting but also I had a lot of not-for-profit, but not-for-pay when joining as a volunteer in my neighborhood – Houston Heights – many years ago. I managed many projects for the Houston Heights Association which included Board representation, trails, beautification and other recreational improvement projects.
But mostly, they hired me for my accounting degree and management consulting experience to help the Arboretum become profitable by drastically increasing earned income sources. When I first arrived our total income from programs (mission-based) was $75,000. This year it will exceed $500,000! In 2005 overall revenue was $650,000 and today is over $2.2 million
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Ha ha. Hardly. Rough ride at the very beginning with many, many challenges including a building that was way behind in preventative maintenance, only a one grounds employee which managed maintenance of the grounds with only volunteers, and our financial health in jeopardy due to lack of proper planning from previous leadership.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Houston Arboretum & Nature Center – what should we know?
Houston Arboretum & Nature Center is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization that serves the greater Houston area as an urban nature sanctuary and a center for nature education. Its mission is to provide education about the natural environment to people of all ages and to protect and enhance the Arboretum as a haven and sanctuary for native plants and animals. The Arboretum was founded in 1967 by Susan McAshan, with the hope that it could become a place to educate children, especially inner-city children, about the wonders of the natural world. For 50 years, the Arboretum’s team of educators and naturalists has been fulfilling that objective while protecting and improving the Arboretum’s 155 acres as a place for native wildlife to flourish. Each year, the Arboretum welcomes over 200,000 visitors who come for recreation, birding, meditation, horticulture, and nature discovery, as well as for the many different classes, workshops, and programs offered by the Arboretum’s education staff. The Arboretum’s grounds feature a diverse array of native Gulf Coast habitat: riparian, wetland, meadow and forest ecosystems teeming with local wildlife. The Arboretum is a destination for people of all ages and last year was visited by residents of 41 states and 20 different countries.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
The staff at the Arboretum are all dedicated and passionate folks who care deeply about the Arboretum. It’s a total team effort to work toward making the Arboretum more well-known to other Houstonians and improving our offerings and surroundings.
Pricing:
- The Arboretum is FREE of charge but donations are always appreciated!
Contact Info:
- Address: 4501 Woodway Drive
Houston, TX 77024 - Website: www.houstonarboretum.org
- Phone: 713-681-8433
- Email: arbor@houstonarboretum.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/houstonarboretum/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HoustonArboretum/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/HoustonArboretu
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/houston-arboretum-and-nature-center-houston
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
