The entire site is 85 wooded acres. This includes all of the areas encompassed by the gravel walkway as well as the forested area. The former Tibbs Run Reservoir, early water supply for Morgantown, was located in the basin now encircled by the Reservoir Loop Trail.

The West Virginia Botanic Garden, Inc. is a non-profit organization. The organization leases the property from the City of Morgantown and is responsible for management of the property. The organization sometimes receives some funding from the City of Morgantown and the Monongalia County Commission, but relies heavily on public contributions. Donation boxes are located at the kiosk in the lower parking lot and inside the Education and Event Center. Donations can also be made online.

Become a member. Be a volunteer. Complete an online application or email volunteers@wvbg.org. Make a donation online or in the donation boxes at the lower parking lot kiosk or inside the Education and Event Center.

The Mason Dixon Rifle Club is adjacent to the WVBG property on the Wetland/Boardwalk side. The targets are in the opposite direction of the Garden and there is no risk of stray bullets. During hunting season, people do hunt on properties surrounding the WVBG. Be sure to stay on designated blazed trails at all times. See the Mason Dixon Rifle Club’s online calendar for regularly scheduled events.

Yes, both outdoor areas and the Terrace at Tibbs Run are available for event rentals. Please contact the WVBG staff at 304-322-2093 or email rentals@wvbg.org for more information.

Yes, but a permit is required. This is a beautiful place to have photos taken as long as this does not interfere with other scheduled Garden events. Permit fees to help cover maintenance and operations of the Gardens.  Learn more.

No, the trails are only for walking, running, or cross-country skiing when the Reservoir Loop Trail is sufficiently covered in snow. Please leave your bike in the bike racks in the upper parking lot or at the Imperial East entrance, or walk your bike in and out of the Garden.

Yes, rentals for private events are available.   See the meeting rental page for details.

Sylvia was a red tailed hawk ecosculpture created in 2014 by Ben Gazsi, a previous student at WVU, who has also created some
sculptures for Cooper’s Rock State Park. Silvia is an Italian female given name of Latin origin, with English-language cognate Sylvia. The name originates from the Latin word for forest, Silva, which means spirit of the wood.

Silva lost her battle with the harmful elements of Mother Nature and was returned to the forest floor in March 2019.

A queen bee, a caterpillar, a butterfly, and a lady bug were created by Michael Loop for the Hammock Haven fundraising event in 2016. He is the Museum Preparatory at WVU Museum of Art.

Cairns, as they are known by, have been used for a variety of different purposes for several millennia. Today, cairns are most commonly used as trail markers in many parts of the world and are important for navigation in more barren remote regions where cell service and other natural landmarks are scarce. Many national parks and wilderness areas frown upon the construction of random cairns because they may misguide hikers or take away from the natural essence of a landscape.

At the West Virginia Botanic Garden we see cairns as evolving art pieces. When one falls, another one takes its place.

Hickory.

Wild Birds Unlimited of Morgantown donated eight eastern bluebird houses to maintain the bluebird population in the area.  You will see the birdhouses mounted on 4×4 poles along the Reservoir Loop Trail.

Original plans for the building included a Welcome Center open to the public for regularly scheduled hours, but the building currently functions as an administrative building, a place for events, and an educational center.  The name was changed in 2018 to the Education and Event Center, as a more accurate representation of its function.

A water fountain is available next to the public restrooms in the lower level of the Education and Event Center.

About ten years ago, some wood science students at WVU built a solar powered “cabin” for a contest held in CA. After the contest, they brought the project back to WVU and offered it to WVBG for free. The parts were transported in trailers to the Garden where they sat for a long period of time while planning for the construction took place. Thanks to the cooperation of March-Westin the construction began with the idea of building a solar building for the Garden. The Education and Event Center started as a solar powered cabin and was expanded into the current building. Only about 35% of the materials stored in the trailers was still viable for use in the EEC.