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Manifesting the visionary spirit of Walter P. Cottam, whose pioneering oak research helped inspire the creation of Red Butte Garden.

In addition to the following benefits, all Cottam Club members will receive invitations to the annual Cottam Club reception, touring excursions and other exclusive events, 2 complimentary tickets to all Wisdom & Wonder Speaker Series events, priority access to the Spring Plant Sale and Garden After Dark, a private Garden tour, and a complimentary wellness class.

ACORN | $1,000

  • Garden member benefits for 2 with complimentary admission for 8 guests
  • May purchase up to 8 general admission (GA) tickets per concert during online member presales
  • $185 of your membership is for goods and services and is not considered a charitable gift to the Garden. Donor Advised Funds may not be used for any portion of Cottam Club memberships

SPROUT | $2,500

  • Garden member benefits for 2 with complimentary admission for 8 guests
  • May purchase up to 8 GA tickets per concert during online member presales; 4 guaranteed GA tickets to 3 concerts with staff assistance
  • $245 of your membership is for goods and services and is not considered a charitable gift to the Garden. Donor Advised Funds may not be used for any portion of Cottam Club memberships

SAPLING | $5,000

  • Garden Member benefits for 4 with complimentary admission for 8 guests
  • May purchase up to 8 GA tickets per concert during online member presales; 6 guaranteed tickets to 6 concerts with staff assistance; and may purchase up to 6 Concert Club (VIP) tickets per season
  • Four tickets to Garden After Dark VIP Party
  • $435 of your membership is for goods and services and is not considered a charitable gift to the Garden. Donor Advised Funds may not be used for any portion of Cottam Club memberships

OAK | $10,000+

  • Garden member benefits for 4 with complimentary admission for 10 guests
  • May purchase up to 8 GA tickets per concert during online member presales; 8 guaranteed GA tickets to 8 shows with staff assistance; and may purchase up to 8 Concert Club (VIP) tickets per season
  • 4 tickets to Garden After Dark VIP Party
  • Private Greenhouse tour and annual flowering basket delivery
  • Opportunity to host private yoga, planting, or wreath-making class in the Garden for up to 4 guests
  • $850 of your membership is for goods and services and is not considered a charitable gift to the Garden. Donor Advised Funds may not be used for any portion of Cottam Club memberships

Would you like to join or learn more about THE COTTAM CLUB?

Please contact Angela Wilcox, Associate Advancement Director at: angela.wilcox@redbutte.utah.edu or call 801.585.3813

For other Garden membership options, please review our Membership Level page.

Benefits are subject to change.


All Cottam Club members also receive the following member benefits:

A Year of Free Events and Programs

  • Garden Admission for 12 months and all four distinctive seasons*
  • Guided Complimentary & Specialty Tours of the Garden
  • Orchid & Bonsai Shows
  • Art Exhibits
  • Member-Only benefit day at the Annual Spring Plant Sale
  • Quarterly Newsletter and a monthly e-mail update of Garden events

*Unlimited Garden Admission does not include concerts or separately ticketed events.

A Year of Great Discounts

  • Up to 20% off adult education classes at Red Butte Garden
    • Seasonal Workshops
    • Horticulture and Gardening classes
  • Up to 20% off family-friendly programming
    • Summer Camps, including early registration access
    • Garden Adventures, Eco Explorers, and Lil' Buds classes
  • Discounted BOOtanical Fall Festival tickets
  • 10% off at the Red Butte Garden Gift Shop
  • 10-20% discounts with our local Retail Partners
  • Better Homes & Gardens one-year magazine subscription for new members
    • This offer has gone paperless! Sign up for your one-year digital subscription using the link in your one-month welcome email.
  • The American Horticulture Society's Reciprocal Admissions Program offers free admission and/or additional benefits at over 345 gardens throughout North America and the Cayman Islands.
  • Red Butte Garden Outdoor Concert Series exclusive early access and discounts for Garden-Flex level memberships and above.

Benefits are subject to change.


About Dr. Walter P. Cottam

In 1930, Dr. Walter P. Cottam, co-founder of The Nature Conservancy and chairman of the Botany Department at the University of Utah began collecting and planting native plants in what became known as Cottam’s Gulch at a site near President’s Circle at the U. Additionally, he spent the next 30 years planting new and unusual trees throughout campus. Dr. Cottam was the first person in the nation to cross two species of oak from two different classes. Many of the tree species from his original study are still alive today in an area west of our Amphitheatre that we affectionately call Cottam’s Grove.

In 1961, the Utah State Legislature formally recognized Dr. Cottam's impressive collection by designating the University's campus landscape, including the future Red Butte Garden area, as the State Arboretum. The original legislation mandated that the Arboretum "provide resources and facilities for cultivating a greater knowledge and public appreciation for the trees and plants around us, as well as those growing in remote sections of the country and world."

Learn more about the history of Red Butte Garden on our About Us webpage.