Magnificent magnolias, mighty oaks, memorable musclewood, and more! Get into the trees and immersed in the magic of forests and wildlife at the Garden. These towering beauties do more than just provide us shade, they impact our lives in immeasurable ways every day. If you enjoy clean air, fresh water, even the cinnamon in your cookies — thank a tree!
Featuring programs for all ages, arboreal art, and self-guided exploration, the Woodland Wonders exhibition will shine a spotlight on the wonder of trees. They’ve been vital to life on Earth for more than 390 million years, spend the next one with us to better understand and appreciate them!
Stay tuned for more details on the upcoming exhibit later this spring.
As part of the Woodland Wonders exhibition, the Garden invites local artists to submit original outdoor art, sculptures, and live demonstrations for consideration to display among the Garden grounds for from May 1–October 4, 2026.
Please see our Call for Artists for more details and to submit your artwork.
Solo artists, collaborations, and/or groups are welcome. Up to 10 pieces will be accepted for the show.
Keep an eye out for Washed Ashore–themed interactive Discovery Boxes placed across the Garden during your visit.
Want to explore even more?
Dive into the science, stories, and surprises behind each Discovery Box with our curated list of fun facts, links, and activities.
Inspired to take action? Donate your gently used shoes to our Shoe Drive Fundraiser and help reduce waste, support global communities, and raise funds for the Garden.
FAQs
Exhibit Details
Featuring programs for all ages, arboreal art, and self-guided exploration, the Woodland Wonders exhibition will shine a spotlight on the wonder of trees. They’ve been vital to life on Earth for more than 390 million years, spend the next one with us to better understand and appreciate them!
The exhibit is included with Daily Admission and is free to Garden members.
Washed Ashore: Art to Save the Sea, presented by Dar Stumpf & Clyde Reed, is a traveling exhibit created by The Washed Ashore Project.
Washed Ashore educates guests through larger-than-life art sculptures and centers on the rising plastic pollution problem in our oceans and waterways, including everyday actions to make a difference for the Great Lakes and beyond.
Nine sculptures are located in various spots around the Garden. Follow along with our map to discover them all!
The exhibit is included with Daily Admission and is free to Garden members.
The exhibit is here through September 2!
While it won’t be at the Garden next summer, seeing this exhibit in the future is possible. Washed Ashore: Art to Save the Sea is a traveling exhibit, so you may be able to see it elsewhere in the U.S. or Canada.
There are nine sculptures, with seven of them brand new to Garden guests.
The sculptures were created by dedicated artists and volunteers at The Washed Ashore Project. They’ve created over 100 hundred sculptures, cleaned more than 300 miles of beaches, processed 60,000 pounds of plastic, and donated an amazing 14,000+ hours of their time.
Real plastic waste collected from Pacific beaches and coastlines! Bottle caps, toothbrushes, toys, and more are gathered and processed before they’re used in the sculptures. Plus, none of the pieces are artificially colored or manufactured – what you see is what was gathered.
Yes, but safely! These creations can be explored by gentle touch. No climbing on the sculptures or interacting with them where it affects other guests’ ability to experience the exhibit.
Plastic pollution doesn’t just affect the oceans, it affects all waterways including the Great Lakes and bodies of water in Wisconsin. Washed Ashore: Art to Save the Sea gives us an opportunity to understand and experience this global issue while also connecting it to local lakes, rivers, and aquatic wildlife.
Accessibility
Guests with vehicles displaying an ADA license plate or placard to the ADA parking areas (18 available spots).
Other Exhibit Details
Service animals are welcome, but please leave pets and Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) at home. Please let us know you have a service animal when you arrive so we can make our staff aware. View frequently asked questions about service animals and the ADA.
The Garden is a smoke-free, vape-free, and environmentally-friendly facility. Smoking and vaping is not permitted anywhere on the grounds, including the parking lot.
The Garden does not permit the right to carry concealed weapons on the grounds. If the guest refuses to return weapon to their vehicle, they will be refused admittance to the Garden.
Sponsorship opportunities available!
Contact Cindy Berton, Director of Development, at cberton@gbbg.org or 920.593.5663.
For details on discounted group tickets, visit our Group Tours web page.
For more information, contact us at 920.490.9457 or info@gbbg.org.
Presenting
Sculptures
Community Partners
Grant
Nonprofit Ticketing Grant
Find your way in the Garden, enjoy exclusive features like a Washed Ashore audio tour or scavenger hunt, and more.
View and bid on hundreds of items like plant containers and hanging baskets, gift packages, outdoor living items, and more.
Give the mom in your life a gift that will last year-round, with memories that will last a lifetime. Support the Garden with the gift of membership.
Come celebrate by joining as a member with $10 off membership… today only! Members get exclusive access to Washed Ashore: Art to Save the Sea during a special member-only preview event tomorrow, May 1 from 12–8 pm.
Note: This offer is valid for new members and will expire April 30 at 11:59pm.
Enjoy $10 off this weekend!
Give (or get!) the gift of nature with a membership using promo code GARDEN25.
Redeem by December 1.
Give an experience where memories take root. A Garden Gift Membership blooms with beauty all year long!
Offer ends November 7
A Garden membership is a meaningful gift for your loved ones to enjoy this timeless treasure and make memories all year long.
Support the Garden and gift a membership today!
Explore nature’s wonders!
Join as a new member by December 3 and receive two Free Daily Admission Passes.
View and bid on hundreds of items like plant containers and hanging baskets, gift packages, outdoor living items, and so much more.
Today Only!
Closure Notice: The Garden will close at 1 pm on Monday, February 23 due to a private event. Hatha Yoga will take place from 5:30-6:30 pm as planned.
