Membership FAQ
Members can receive personal assistance with any membership questions by contacting Member Services at (520) 326-9686 Ext *13 or membership@tucsonbotanical.org . Member Services is available 8:30am-4:30pm, Monday-Friday.
Membership Changes as of October 1, 2019:
As of October 1, 2019 there have been some changes to our membership program and pricing. The changes are as follows:
–The Garden Friend membership category has changed its name to Dual
–The Student/Senior membership category has been eliminated. Instead we are offering a $5 discount to Students, Seniors, and Active Military on Individual, Dual, or Family membership categories. This discount cannot be combined with other offers.
–The regular price of the Individual, Dual, and Family membership categories has increased.
–We are offering more benefits to our premium members (Cholla, Agave, Ocotillo, and Saguaro). See a complete list of member benefits here.
–We will now only print one membership card per named member. If you do not provide a name for your co-member or for a third adult your membership card will indicate your name and the number of qualified guests. You must then accompany your unnamed guests when visiting the Gardens.
–The tax deductible portion of your membership is now any amount paid in excess of the fair market value of the member benefits. The fair market value has changed and can be found farther down in these FAQs and in the chart of member benefits.
How do I purchase or renew a membership?
There are several convenient ways to purchase or renew a membership:
- By visiting the Gardens Gift Shop
- By calling Member Services at (520) 326-9686, Ext *13
- Or, by ordering online
You will receive a renewal notice form by mail one month prior to your membership expiring. If you did not receive a renewal notice, please call and let us know.
Can I renew early?
Yes. If you renew your membership before it has expired, your membership will be extended for 1 year from your current expiration date.
Can I gift a membership to someone else?
Yes. Gift Memberships are a wonderful way to say “Happy Birthday,” “Thank You,” or “Welcome to Tucson!” You can purchase or renew a Gift Membership using any of the sources listed above. We will include your personalized note with the membership cards. Annual renewal notices will then be sent to you unless indicated otherwise.
Can I apply my admission fee toward the cost of a membership?
Yes. If you are not a Member and are considering joining, you may visit the Gardens before deciding and apply your admission toward a membership when you leave. This is valid only on the same day of your visit. You may apply one admission ticket toward the cost of an Individual membership. You may apply two admission tickets toward the cost of a Dual, Family, Cholla, Agave, Octotillo or Saguaro membership.
I have a membership card. Why am I asked to show a photo ID?
The Gardens is a nonprofit organization that relies on its Members for support and deeply values this relationship. Membership cards are valid only for the Member(s) listed on the card(s) and may not be loaned or given to anyone else to use. In order to protect the benefits of membership, we reserve the right to request photo ID.
I forgot or lost my membership card. Can I still visit the Gardens?
Yes. You will be asked to present a photo ID in the Gardens Gift Shop and complete a card replacement form, if your card is lost. We charge a $2 replacement fee per card, which you can pay at the Gardens Gift Shop or by calling Member Services at (520) 326-9686, Ext *13.
How long does it take to process my membership?
Memberships take two to three weeks to process, depending on volume. For memberships purchased or renewed in the Gardens Gift Shop or online, you may use your receipt and photo ID to enter the Gardens until your membership card(s) arrive.
I am visiting the Gardens today. Should I join/renew online first?
You are welcome to either join/renew online or at the Gardens Gift Shop. If you join/renew online, please print your receipt to use for entrance to the Gardens. Please note that if you join/renew online, your guest passes will arrive with your membership materials in 2-3 weeks.
Who can I name on my membership card?
| Individual | 1 membership card | Primary Member only |
| Dual | up to 2 membership cards | Primary Member + optional Secondary Member |
| Family/Cholla/Agave/Ocotillo & Saguaro | up to 2 membership cards | Primary Member + optional Secondary Member
Up to 4 household children/grandchildren are included, but not named on membership cards. |
Am I required to list a Secondary Member?
No. If you purchase a Dual or higher level membership without a Secondary Member, you will instead receive one membership card stating “Primary Member’s name & Guest.” This allows you to bring a guest to the Gardens, so long as you – the Primary Member – are also present.
What if I have a third adult in my family? (i.e. an adult child or nanny)
You can select “Add a 3rd Adult” when you purchase or renew your membership. The cost of this 3rd adult is $20. Please be sure to include the name of this 3rd adult when completing the form or, if this person might change during the year of your membership, you may designate “& Nanny,” for example. If no name is provided for the 3rd Adult, they will not receive their own membership card.
Note: The 3rd Adult option applies only to one additional adult per membership. Any additional adults would warrant a separate membership.
What if I have more than four children in my household?
You can select “Add Additional Children” when you purchase or renew your membership. The cost of each additional child is $10. You do not need to include the names of your additional children, as they will not be listed on the membership cards. Your membership cards will indicate the number of additional children.
Can I bring my caregiver?
Yes. If you are disabled and require a caregiver to accompany you to the Gardens, we will add “& Caregiver” to your membership at no additional cost.
Can I bring my dog to the Gardens?
Tucson Botanical Gardens is unique in that we welcome our canine friends every day during the months of June-September. Admission for dogs is $3 per day or TBG members may add a Dog to their Membership for $20, with additional dogs for $10 each.
Dog Memberships allow for unlimited admission during the months of June-September and include a personalized dog tag, which serves as entry to the Gardens. We provide dog bowls and clean-up stations scattered throughout the Gardens during these months and ask that you do your part to help keep the Gardens beautiful.
Note: Service animals that are identified with a vest or collar are welcome in the Gardens at no cost all year.
How many guest passes will I receive and who can use them?
The number of guest passes depends on your membership level. The following levels receive 2 guest passes each year: Individual, Dual and Family. Each of the higher membership levels receives the following number of guest passes each year, plus a discount on purchasing additional guest passes: Cholla-4, Agave-6, Ocotillo-8 and Saguaro-10.
Guest passes are one-time, one-day use paper tickets, valid for one year. Guest passes may be used by any individual of your choosing for entry to the Gardens. A Member does not need to be present for their guest(s) to use guest passes.
I lost my guest passes, can I get them replaced?
No. Please keep your guest passes safe – if guest passes are lost or stolen, we are unable to replace them. You may purchase additional guest passes for $15 each (or at a discount if you are a Cholla, Agave, Ocotillo or Saguaro member.)
Can I use my guest passes immediately?
Yes. If you purchase/renew your membership at the Gardens Gift Shop, you may elect to receive your guest passes immediately. If you purchase/renew your membership online or by phone, your guest passes will arrive in the mail in 2-3 weeks, along with your membership cards.
If a named member is unable to accompany me, can I bring a guest in their place?
Yes. Memberships at the Dual level and above include admission for 2 adults. As long as one of the named Members accompanies the guest, you are welcome to bring another individual in the other Member’s place. Any additional guests accompanying the Member during this same visit will be required to either pay admission or use the Members’ guest pass(es.)
Can I loan my membership card(s) to a friend or family member?
No. Memberships are nontransferable and valid only for the person (or persons) whose name(s) appear on the card. As a nonprofit organization that relies on membership and attendance for support, we appreciate your adherence to this policy.
Can I dine at Café Botanica?
Yes. Dining at Café Botanica is only for members and visitors to the Gardens. Because Café Botanica is located within the Tucson Botanical Gardens, all diners must either be members, guests paying the admission fee or guests using a Member’s guest pass(es.)
Café Botanica hours and information is available here.
Is my membership tax-deductible?
Yes, any amount paid in excess of the Fair Market Value of the member benefits is tax-deductible:
| Membership Category | Fair Market Value | |
| Individual | $30 | |
| Dual | $30 | |
| Family | $30 | |
| Cholla | $61 | |
| Agave | $115 | |
| Ocotillo | $145 | |
| Saguaro | $239 |
How do I take advantage of my member benefits?
Many of your member benefits are sent along with your membership cards. If you have a question about how to access discounts or other benefits, please contact Member Services at (520)326-9686, Ext *13 or membership@tucsonbotanical.org
Do you offer reciprocal benefits with other botanical gardens?
No. Unfortunately, your TBG membership does not include reciprocal membership benefits for other institutions.
Can I upgrade my membership?
Yes. You may upgrade your membership at any time to make a greater contribution to the Tucson Botanical Gardens’ mission.
If you want to upgrade your current membership, you may pay the difference between the two levels and you will begin receiving the new benefits immediately. Your membership expiration date will stay the same.
Another option is to upgrade by paying the full price of the new membership level. You will begin receiving the new benefits immediately and if you choose this option, your membership expiration date will be extended for 1 year from your current expiration date.
My name is spelled incorrectly or I changed my name. When can I update my membership card(s)?
We only process name changes once each year, at the time of renewal. Please print legibly on your membership application and note your name change when you renew your membership.
I have a seasonal address. Where will I receive membership materials?
If you have a seasonal address, please contact Member Services at (520)326-9686, Ext *13 or membership@tucsonbotanical.org with both addresses and the dates you reside at each location. We will do our best to ensure your membership materials be sent to the correct address.
I am moving out of town. Can I discontinue my membership?
You may discontinue your membership at any time by contacting Member Services at (520)326-9686, Ext *13 or membership@tucsonbotanical.org. Please note that membership fees are nonrefundable, however, you may transfer your membership at the same level to a friend or family member.
