2025 Annual Report

2025 was a productive and transformative year for the May Arboretum Society.

As we work to build broader awareness of our mission and elevate the Wilbur D. May Arboretum and Botanical Garden as a community and conservation treasure, MAS expanded its reach, strengthened key partnerships, and continued critical investment in education, staffing, infrastructure, and horticultural enhancement.

Throughout the year, we strategically deployed organizational resources including fundraising revenue and annual endowment distributions, to support sustainable Arboretum operations while creating new pathways for community engagement, donor development, and long-term growth.

2024–2026 Strategic Priorities Guiding Our Work

Build Awareness & Engagement

Increase visibility of MAS’s mission, deepen community participation, and expand opportunities for public and private support.

Maintain, Improve & Expand Arboretum Grounds

Invest in garden revitalization, infrastructure enhancement, and new horticultural attractions that support plant health, accessibility, and visitor experience.

Strengthening MAS’s Organizational Foundation

Improve internal infrastructure, modernize technology, streamline operations, and expand organizational capacity to scale our impact.

Strategic Progress & 2025 Outcomes

1. Build Awareness & Community Engagement

Membership Growth & Engagement

• MAS membership grew 29% from 2024 to 2025
• Membership has grown 68% since 2023

This sustained upward trend demonstrates increasing community trust, interest, and alignment with our mission.

       Public Relations & Media Spotlighting

• MAS expanded its visibility through meaningful earned media and broadcast partnerships, including:
• Print featured in Edible Reno and Senior Spectrum
• On-air interviews and live remotes with KRNV, KTVN, and KOLO
• Radio features on Lotus Radio’s Community Connections
• A guest appearance on PBS Wild Nevadacast

      Social Media Momentum

• MAS social media engagement doubled year-over-year
• Follower growth continued consistently month after month

These channels remain a key driver of community education, event promotion, and donor cultivation.

     2025 Inaugural MAS Fundraising Gala

MAS hosted its first major fundraising gala in 2025:

• Honoring Dr. Edgar F. Kleiner
• With over 200 tickets sold
• Features live and silent auctions
• Raising $42,200.00 for the MAS endowment

This milestone event demonstrated strong community participation, donor interest, and fundraising potential for future annual galas.

    Business Community Engagement

MAS hosted multiple Lunch & Learn sessions at the Arboretum, welcoming local business leaders on-site to:

• Learn about MAS’s workforce contributions
• Understand our role in Arboretum sustainability
• Explore future philanthropic opportunities

Government Relationship Building

In 2025, MAS continued proactive stakeholder engagement with elected officials, meeting directly with:

• Lt. Governor Stavros Anthony
• Nevada Assemblywoman Heather Goulding
• Nevada State Senator Angela Taylor

These meetings strengthened relationships and broadened advocacy alignment around botanical conservation, community benefit, and philanthropic collaboration.

2. Maintain, Improve & Expand Arboretum Grounds

Workforce Investment – Mission-Critical Staffing

• The Arboretum is maintained year-round by 7.5 FTE staff members
• MAS provides 3.75 of those 7 FTE positions (50%)

This staffing investment ensures daily horticultural care, rapid issue response, irrigation oversight, trail safety, and seasonal readiness. Without this support, the Arboretum would not have the workforce capacity required for daily operations and care.

Garden Infrastructure & Enhancement

• MAS secured a Letter of Intent to fully fund the Columbus Garden Gazebo Rebuild Project, which includes a $300,000.00 philanthropic capital investment
• Replacement of the previous structure, removed due to long-term deterioration and safety risk
• Construction of a new gazebo and surrounding garden
• Delivery of a revitalized community gathering space

We look forward to bringing this restored and re-imagined garden asset back to the community.

Cactus and Succulent Garden

• Test Gardens Supporting Future Climate-Appropriate Garden Design
• MAS installed 3rd Test Garden research plot in 2025
• These plots directly support the development of the Cactus & Succulent Garden

Research findings will determine soil composition, drainage ratios, plant winter-hardiness, freeze-thaw resilience, and irrigation performance for Reno’s high-desert climate

These studies are critical to ensuring long-term survivability and responsible installation of a climate-appropriate garden attraction.

3. Strengthening MAS’s Organizational Foundation

Technology & Infrastructure Modernization

This year, MAS advanced system upgrades to streamline membership and operational workflows, including:

• Auto-renewal for membership
• Member account portals enabling users to manage their own updates
• Development of a membership gifting function
• Reduced manual workload for renewals and activations

These improvements will:

• Save staff time and administrative cost
• Reduce process friction for members
• Allow MAS to re-deploy staffing resources toward higher-impact mission areas

Cumulative Financial Stewardship Metrics

Contribution Type 2025 Result

Annual Funding to Arboretum $176,973.00

Lifetime Contribution to Date $1,555,594.27

MAS-Funded Arboretum Staff 3.5 FTE (43%)

2025 Endowment Growth Raised $42,200.00

Capital Gift Secured (Columbus Gazebo) $300,000.00

Closing Statement

2025 reflected meaningful progress across visibility, workforce investment, community education, partnerships, garden infrastructure, and internal modernization. As we move into 2026, MAS is positioned with stronger operational resilience, expanded community trust, and new opportunities for philanthropic impact.  The Arboretum continues to grow as a beloved, sustainable, and destination-caliber community treasure