By Caitlin Conner, Marketing + Communications Manager
July 13-19 marks Member Appreciation Week at Daniel Stowe Conservancy! We’re so thankful for our amazing Members and their support – we couldn’t operate without you! Your commitment to nature is multi-fold; you get to enjoy our 380 acre outdoor space filled with scenic views, the wonders of wildlife and opportunities for education and enrichment, plus your membership helps us create unforgettable outdoor experiences for others.
There are lots of reasons to choose membership. Maybe you’re a frequent flier at The Trailhead Store and Membership gives you a discount on your daily coffee. Maybe your kids are obsessed with the Prairie Castle Playground and Adventure Trail and you want to give them the chance to explore whenever they want. Maybe you’ve got a green thumb and love visiting frequently to check out the ever-evolving display of flowers and plants gracing The Gardens. Whatever your reason is for joining us, we’re so glad you’re here.
If you’re not a Member but have considered joining, Member Appreciation Week is the perfect time! You’ll unlock all the benefits of Member Appreciation Week, plus the standing benefits that you can enjoy year-round. Let’s break it down:
Member Appreciation Week
We have a week packed with fun opportunities Members of for all ages to share outdoor experiences with loved ones at Stowe.
Wednesday-Friday: Member Raffle
Stop by the front desk during your visit from Wednesday-Friday to enter a raffle drawing. You may enter every day you visit through Friday for more chances to win! Prizes available include gift cards to local businesses (STATION in Belmont, Breakout Games Escape Room, Schiele Museum tickets, and more!), a renewal of your membership and tickets to upcoming events at Stowe! The drawing will be at 7:30 p.m. on the Four Seasons Lawn on Friday’s Member’s Evening in the Garden event (more on that below).
Wednesday, July 15: Free Docent Tour Day
Come out and participate in an hour long tour of the Gardens at Stowe. On your tour, you’ll learn some of the historical and horticultural highlights of the property. It’s a great way to get to know the Gardens you know and love! Time slots are at 10 a.m., 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. Limited to 20 guests per tour. More time slots may open if interest exceeds availability.
Thursday, July 16: Bring a Friend for Half Price
Bring a friend to the Gardens and you’ll receive 50% off of their admission at the front desk! (limit one per membership)
Friday, July 17: Members’ Evening in The Gardens
The Gardens at Stowe will be open from 5-9 p.m., exclusively for members! Beat the summer heat and enjoy a drink on the Four Seasons Lawn, or take a sunset stroll and and experience one of the most beautiful times of day at Stowe. Food trucks will be available at the Levine Pavilion, Big Leaf Cafe’ + Shop will be open, and Junior’s Scoop Italian Ice will be present! Get the results of our Member Raffle! The drawing will be at 7:30 p.m. on Friday on the Four Seasons Lawn.
Saturday, July 19: Little Explorers’ Day
Little Explorers Day is all about our smallest Members, the kids who can’t contain their curiosity, let their imaginations run wild and love spending their days out exploring in nature.
Little Explorers Day is all about the kids who can’t contain their curiosity, let their imaginations run wild and love spending their days out exploring in nature.
Throughout the day, kids can pick up a scavenger hunt at the front desk and bring it back at the end of your visit to turn it in for a prize! They can stop by our coloring station in the Great Hall to draw a picture or write a note about their favorite part of Stowe to add to the display wall! The wall will remain up through the rest of the month and showcase the imaginations of all our Little Explorers!
At 10:30 a.m., Our Executive Director, John Searby, author of our new children’s book, The Guardian of Lost Hollow, will be kicking off our story time with the captivating tale of Willow the Dragon, followed by more nature themed tales! From 11 a.m.-3 p.m., we’re hosting crafts in the Garden; kids can get their hands a little dirty while helping pollinators by making Native Seed Bombs at the Levine Pavilion and create their own Adventure Map at the Adventure Trail!
Sunday, July 19: Behind the Seeds: Tour the Growing Center and Native Plant Nursery
Take a never before seen look behind the curtain at our Growing Center and Native Seed Nursery. Guided by leaders of our Horticulture Team, you’ll get to see how Stowe grows and nurtures plants that are used in The Gardens and beyond. Your $20 registration donation will help support the ongoing enhancements of our Growing Center and light refreshments will be provided. Three time slots are available at 10 a.m., 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.
Other Benefits of Becoming a Member
Member Appreciation Week is just the beginning! By becoming a Member at Stowe, you unlock a treasure trove of benefits that you can use throughout the year, including:
- Unlimited, free daytime admission to The Gardens at Stowe (including the Prairie Castle Playground and Adventure Trail!)
- 30% off daytime admission for up to four guests when you visit
- Free or discounted admission to more than 300 reciprocal public gardens throughout North America
- Discounts at The Trailhead Store, Big Leaf Café + Shop, The Farmhouse Garden Center and on select Stowe events, workshops and classes. Please note you must be a member of Daniel Stowe Conservancy, not a member of a reciprocal garden or organization, to unlock discounts.
- Discount at local businesses, like receiving 15% off your purchase at The String Bean and Dearness Gardens Nursery by showing your current Daniel Stowe Conservancy membership card; receive 10% off your purchase at PlantAddicts with our member discount code.
- Invitations to exclusive member events
- Digital membership card you can download to your phone
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Monthly Member Newsletter with exclusive horticulture, gardening and early insights on upcoming events
If you plan on visiting Stowe more than twice a year, investing in a Membership is the best value for your visit…and you also support our mission to inspire a love of nature and its beauty through unforgettable outdoor experiences!
Member Stories
But don’t just take it from us! Here’s what some of our Members have to say about being part of the Stowe community:
“We thoroughly enjoy our membership at Daniel Stowe! The kids love to walk around the park and see all the sights. My youngest one loves the fountains and always gravitates immediately to the sound of water. We love to get out in nature and have been striving to get out more. We have been trying to hike more and the trails at Stowe have been a family favorite.” – Michael B.
“My journey to nature began at an early age, shaped by a childhood of travel while growing up in a military family. Experiencing diverse landscapes around the world deepened my appreciation for the beauty and wonder of the natural world—where miracles unfold every day. Now, sharing that love of nature with my children and grandchildren brings me a profound sense of peace and joy, creating cherished moments across generations.” – Terry D.
“My path to nature is found at the beautiful Daniel Stowe Conservancy. It is my time out or mental reset from a chaotic world and my to-do list! Occasionally, I will treat myself to a delicious chai tea latte from The Trailhead Store! I visit the trails five or six times a week. I love Stowe and the trails!” – Chantel S.
“I support Daniel Stowe because it is a beautiful escape from the rest of the world. My favorite place is standing at the top of the Ragan Canal Garden. My path to nature includes beautiful gardens and woods where you can take in the sights and sounds of the vibrations that each living plant or animal creates. It is a place to breathe out chaos and breathe in peace.” – Lisa D.
“I support Daniel Stowe because I am able to take a stroll around the garden during the quietness of the day and hear the sounds of true nature such as the birds singing or gazing at all the beautiful flowers. It’s a time to totally clear our heads and focus on the future – a natural choice to meditate and connect.” – Terry P.
Becoming a Member at Daniel Stowe Conservancy not only gives you unlimited access to The Gardens at Stowe – it makes.you part of a community that cares about protecting our natural resources and the beauty of nature. To our Members – thank you! We hope you have a wonderful Member Appreciation Week and look forward to seeing you in The Gardens soon.
