Holden Forests and Gardens

Holden Forests and Gardens operates the Holden Arboretum and the Cleveland Botanical Garden, two interconnected institutions that maintain living plant collections, display gardens, and natural areas for public enjoyment. The organization provides horticultural exhibitions, educational programs, and community events designed to foster appreciation for plant life and environmental stewardship. Through its gardens and arboretum, it offers opportunities for recreation, learning, and inspiration to visitors of all ages. Its activities are rooted in the promotion of botanical knowledge and the conservation of regional flora.

Headquartered in the United States, specifically in Ohio, the organization serves the Greater Cleveland region and attracts visitors from across the state and beyond. Its facilities span extensive grounds that include both cultivated gardens and preserved natural habitats, allowing it to function as a destination for tourism, education, and scientific observation. The presence of two distinct but complementary sites enables it to offer varied experiences ranging from formal garden landscapes to woodland trails and native ecosystems.

Holden Forests and Gardens is distinguished by its focus on woody plant collections at the Holden Arboretum and its urban garden setting at the Cleveland Botanical Garden, together supporting specialized conservation initiatives and plant research programs. The organization emphasizes native species preservation, sustainable landscaping practices, and outreach that connects horticulture with broader ecological themes. In February 2020, it was affected by a ransomware attack on the cloud software provider Blackbaud, which resulted in the potential exposure of donor and visitor information such as names, contact details, and transaction histories, while financial data and social security numbers were reported to remain secure. The incident prompted the organization to notify affected individuals and reassess its third‑party vendor relationships, highlighting the importance of data security in the cultural and nonprofit sector.