In 1988, a small group of concerned Detroiters approached the city’s Recreation Department about restoring the overgrown Lily Pond Garden between the Aquarium and the Conservatory. After approval of this project, Detroit residents Bill Horman, a floriculturist (now retired) with the Conservatory, and Joseph Stanton, a plant enthusiast, founded the Belle Isle Botanical Society (BIBS). Members were solicited; volunteers began the restoration.


Today, there are over 60 named varieties of hosta, thanks to the late Mr. Stanton, in addition to various trees, shrubs, perennials and annuals in the Lily Pond area. BIBS volunteers also work in the other gardens around the Conservatory. BIBS provides a docent program that offers guided tours of the Conservatory headed by Ed Krappmann, a 30-year volunteer for the Conservatory. BIBS volunteers also offer the Science Learning labs for school children. BIBS has hosted over 4,000 children in these labs who were delighted by the Conservatory and gardens.


BIBS raises funds through various programs and plant sales as well as donations, and uses such funds to purchase plant material, tools and equipment and to finance repairs to the Conservatory including the dome ladder, the vents and replacement of glass in the Conservatory and greenhouses. BIBS’ Annual Plant Sale is the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend at the greenhouses from 9 a.m. to 3 a.m. -- a fundraiser that attracts gardeners from all over the metropolitan area tempted by BIBS’ unusual variety of plants grown in the greenhouses.  BIBS also partners with various groups to bring upgrades to the Conservatory.  We are currently working on installing new signage throughout the Conservatory, having the garden steps repaired and making heating and lighting upgrades to the Fernery.  We also have funded the pruning of the trees and palms in the Palm House, rental of heaters and propane when the heat failed this past winter, and the installation of new glass to replace broken panes. 

Still, the mainstay of BIBS is its volunteers as they annually donate more than 4,000 hours of time to the Conservatory, gardens, greenhouses and BIBS programs.