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Brooklyn Botanic Garden 2005 Annual Report
A Letter from the Chairman of the Board
Earl D. Weiner, Chairman
This was a historic year for Brooklyn Botanic Garden. The Board of Trustees, staff, and entire BBG community joined together to celebrate Judith D. Zuk's extraordinary 15 years as president of the Garden, and to wish her well in her retirement, which commenced at the close of this fiscal year, June 30, 2005. We were proud to present Judy with the Garden's Better Earth Award for the lasting contribution she has made to the cultural life of New York City and for ensuring BBG's place as a world-class botanic garden. We also named the Judith D. Zuk Magnolia Plaza and Magnolia × 'Judy Zuk' in her honor. The depth of Judy's vision and commitment to BBG is truly evident in the Garden's growth and vitality during her tenure, and in the continuing strength of the Garden's programs and staff.
The transition in leadership of the Garden was completed after the end of the fiscal year, as we welcomed our new president Scot Medbury, at the beginning of October. Scot had been the director of the San Francisco Botanical Garden and Conservatory of Flowers in Golden Gate Park and agreed with great enthusiasm to make the move to Brooklyn. We are grateful to Lois Carswell, my predecessor as Chairman, for her dedicated leadership of the search committee that found such an extraordinarily qualified successor to Judy.
The tremendous support and strong vote of confidence of BBG's many donors, members ,and volunteers played an invaluable role in our success throughout this exceptionally challenging year. Your steadfast commitment helped us to welcome nearly 700,000 visitors and reach more than 150,000 children, while we also celebrated major institutional milestones, implemented new programs, and maintained the exquisite horticultural beauty of the Garden.
As we prepare for the Garden's centennial in 2010, we implemented or commenced important projects called for by our comprehensive master site plan for the long-term physical development of the Garden. The new Eastern Parkway entrance was constructed, and the historic Osborne Garden, Cranford Rose Garden and Judith D. Zuk Magnolia Plaza were restored. We also began design of a new Visitor Center and entrance to be located at the northeastern end of the Garden, with the goal of creating a more gracious, welcoming entrance from Washington Avenue and the parking lot, as well as enhancing much-needed visitor amenities. The Garden celebrated major milestones—such as the Children's Garden 90th anniversary reunion and 10th annual Greenest Block in Brooklyn contest—that reflect BBG's founding commitment to education and to the surrounding community. We also developed and continued innovative new programs and partnerships aimed at helping students and teachers achieve greater success in science learning. These include the new Garden Apprentice Program for students in grades 8 through 12 and our founding partnership in Brooklyn Academy of Science and the Environment (BASE), Brooklyn's first public high school with an environmental focus. BASE welcomed more than 200 students in its second year and has become a template for an exciting educational initiative in New York City.
Our efforts to encourage awareness of the essential role that plants play in people's lives were strengthened through planning for a Garden-wide interpretive master plan to help us convey to visitors the significance and diversity of BBG's gardens and collections. BBG scientists also continued to build strong networks for plant conservation locally, nationally, and globally. Their work was recognized with a prestigious grant from the National Science Foundation.
Because of your generous support, the Garden has continued to thrive during a year of major transition and growth. We salute Judy Zuk, welcome Scot Medbury, and thank the Garden's many supporters for helping to make this year a success and the future bright.
Earl D. Weiner, Chairman