Home » More About BBG » Annual Report » 2003
Brooklyn Botanic Garden 2003 Annual Report
Government Affairs
As an independent nonprofit organization, BBG works closely with government agencies and local elected officials to secure funding for operating expenses and capital improvements. The Garden wishes to recognize and thank these friends for their loyal support.
In 2003, BBG received substantial operating support from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, under the leadership of Commissioner Kate Levin. In a very difficult fiscal climate, the Garden was grateful to receive an additional generous allocation of $141,000 from the Brooklyn Delegation of the City Council, with special thanks to Speaker Gifford Miller for a special appropriation that was critical to allowing the Garden to maintain its services to the community. As always, Borough President Marty Markowitz was a steadfast advocate on behalf of the Garden.
The active support of the entire Brooklyn Delegation of the State Assembly and the leadership in both houses of the legislature were key to BBG's grant of $377,000 from the Zoos, Botanic Gardens & Aquariums Program of the Natural Heritage Trust. Special thanks are due to Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Brooklyn Delegation Chair Joseph Lentol for their support of increased funding to the Garden through the State Assembly, which included $71,000 for educational programs. We are grateful to the State Senate for their support, which included $10,000 in general operating support from Senator Martin Conner, and $2,000 from Senator Carl Andrews to fund programming during the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration.
In addition, the Garden received federal support from the Institute of Museum and Library Services of a three-year $140,000 grant to fund its partnership in founding and administering the Brooklyn Academy of Science and the Environment with the Prospect Park Alliance. The Garden also received federal support for its internship programs from a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Environmental Education Grant.
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg held the first State-of-the-City Address away from City Hall in the Garden's Palm House in January.
In 2003, Mayor Michael Bloomberg selected BBG as the host site for two prestigious events. The mayor held the first State-of-the-City Address away from City Hall in the Garden's Palm House in January. And in October, the Garden hosted the Mayor's Science and Technology Awards, welcoming more than 400 guests to celebrate leaders in these fields.
The Garden is also grateful for the commitment of $6.5 million in City capital funds to improve its facilities. Major allocations from the Brooklyn Delegations of the City Council and Brooklyn Borough President through the city capital budget made it possible for the Garden to begin the historic undertaking of renovating its Eastern Parkway entrance, to restore the Osborne Garden and Magnolia Plaza and to conduct much-needed infrastructure upgrades in its irrigation, drainage, and electrical systems.