BRIT’s mission is to conserve our natural heritage by deepening our knowledge of the plant world and achieving public understanding of the value plants bring to life.

Founded as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization in 1987 and based in Fort Worth, the Botanical Research Institute of Texas (BRIT) documents the diversity of plant life and conducts extensive research around the world. In the last 10 years, BRIT scientists have located and described many new plant species. Our scientists share the same desires and traits as early explorers. We’re adventurous, curious, passionate, independent, and smart. In addition, we are teachers. We are driven to find new plant species and research plant life for agricultural, economic, environmental, medical, and social uses and to share that knowledge in the classroom and the research laboratory.