Chicago Botanic Garden Fall 2020

OFFICERS Robert F. Finke, Chair Jean M. Franczyk, President & CEO DIRECTORS Dana Anderson Matt Banholzer Russell F. Bartmes Carol A. Barnett Allegra E. Biery Martha D. Boudos Terrence R. Brady John H. Buehler Suzanne M. Burns Robin Colburn Jill M. Delaney Amy DeVore, ex officio James W. DeYoung Timothy A. Dugan Jean M. Franczyk, ex officio Steven J. Gavin Nancy Gidwitz Christopher E. Girgenti Ellis M. Goodman Charles V. Greener Joseph P. Gromacki William J. Hagenah Jane Irwin Gregory K. Jones Peter Keehn R. Henry Kleeman Judith H. Konen, ex officio Thomas E. Lanctot Benjamin F. Lenhardt, Jr. Anne Leventry Diane vS. Levy Laura M. Linger Anne S. Loucks Michael J. McMurray Christopher Merrill Gregory A. Moerschel Lois L. Morrison Henry Munez Jennifer J. Neighbours, ex officio Craig Niemann Jane S. Park George A. Peinado Toni Preckwinkle, ex officio Bob Probst Arnold Randall, ex officio Mary B. Richardson- Lowry John C. Robak James Robinson Ryan S. Ruskin Richard Sciortino Robert E. Shaw Andrew Sinclair Maria Smithburg Sharvani Srivastava, ex officio Pam F. Szokol Catherine M. Waddell Susan A. Willetts Melvin F. Williams, Jr. Nicole S. Williams Michael R. Zimmerman LIFE DIRECTORS Neville F. Bryan J. Melfort Campbell Barbara Whitney Carr David R. Casper Gary P. Coughlan Peter R. Crane Suzanne S. Dixon Thomas A. Donahoe Peter B. Foreman Ralph F. Fujimoto James J. Glasser Caryn L. Harris John L. Howard Pamela K. Hull Thomas B. Hunter III Posy L. Krehbiel William H. Kurtis Donna La Pietra Daniel I. H. Linzer Josephine P. Louis Mary L. McCormack Jeanine McNally William E. Moeller William A. Osborn Homi B. Patel Susan L. Regenstein Anne O. Scott David Byron Smith Susan K. Stone Richard L. Thomas Howard J. Trienens Ernest P. Waud III Arthur M. Wood, Jr. We cultivate the power of plants to sustain and enrich life. As I write, blooms are on full display in our gardens, and fruits and vegetables ripen on our farms. Visitors stroll through shad- ed garden paths and find a gentle quiet in our McDonald Woods. It looks almost normal. But nearly every aspect of our opera- tions has changed—and by the time this reaches you, it may have changed yet again. We all know that 2020 has been a year like no other. The COVID-19 health crisis forced us to quickly close and then gradually reopen as we changed our operations to keep staff and visitors safe. The deaths of George Floyd and so many others brought systemic and institu- tional racism to the forefront of our attention. Our world is at an inflection point and circumstances require that we flex, adapt, and change as we continue to make our Garden a welcoming place for all. This is how we will thrive and grow. Amid all this, I am hopeful about our future. People’s desire to be outside, to be a part of nature, is strong, especially now as we all look for respite. A recent national survey by LaPlaca Cohen, a marketing firm specializing in the cultural sector, notes that post-pandemic, getting outside at places like parks, gardens, and zoos is one of the top priorities for people of all ages who want beauty, fun, and excitement in a safe environment. The Garden is the respite that people seek. The survey also confirmed the huge racial disparity in cultural audience composition and the work ahead for cultural institutions to make our spaces more inclusive and friendlier to both visitors and staff. The only way we can hope to achieve our mission is if we live our values and work actively toward inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility. Our work has never been more relevant. Windy City Harvest teams address food insecurity every day by helping to bring food, health, and jobs to Chicago neighborhoods. Our scien- tists in the Negaunee Institute for Plant Conservation Science and Action work to protect plants and ensure a healthy, resilient planet. And our beautiful Garden provides a welcoming space for people looking to restore their physical and mental health. So it is with hope and optimism that we greet fall, one of the best times to visit the Garden. Night of 1,000 Jack-o’-Lanterns returns with intricately carved real pumpkins along a lighted path. Our holiday event Lightscape sold out last year in its Garden debut, and in November your favorites will be back, along with new features that promise to delight . We will continue to monitor state guidelines on the health crisis, so we may have to change plans. Please visit our website, look in your inbox, and follow us on social media for updates. Thank you for your support. It is more critical than ever, as we face a significant budget shortfall because of the health crisis and the necessary changes we made, and will make, to keep our staff and visitors safe. With your help, we will emerge from this time stronger, more relevant, and more welcoming than ever before. Jean M. Franczyk President and CEO