Recognizing how quickly Americans were gobbling up the country's rural landscapes and losing its natural beauty, Lady Bird Johnson and Helen Hayes formed an Austin based botanical garden. Hoping to introduce more people to the beauty and diversity of wildflowers and other native plants, the National Wildflower Research Center was developed in 1982. By 2006, the Center became a research department of the University of Texas in Austin.
   Today, the wildflower center has been renamed Lady Bird Johnson Wildlife Center in her honor. Continuing as an advocate for native plants, the garden features over 600 native plants of Texas. Designed to be more than a garden, programs at the center are geared toward conservation, plus the protection and restoration of American landscapes. It has also become a family friendly educational center, for childrens and their parents. Over a dozen various gardens and outdoor habitats invite guest to browse among the native wildflowers, plants and landscapes. Five different trails cover about five miles, with enough variety to have visitors returning to explore more of the diverse Texas Hill Country.
   The garden workers at the center share Lady Bird's enthusiasm for natural beauty and awareness. Volunteers often voice their admiration and praise for the gardens and continue to promote Claudia Alta Taylor “Lady Bird” Johnson's vision.

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