Chicago Botanic Garden Spring 2019

OFFICERS Robert F. Finke, Chair David Casper, Vice Chair and Chair, Finance & Investment, and Treasurer Jill M. Delaney, Vice Chair and Chair, Buildings, Gardens, and Visitor Experience Timothy A. Dugan, Vice Chair, Nominating & Governance Peter Ellis, Vice Chair, Government Relations John L. Howard, Vice Chair omas E. Lanctot, Vice Chair Catherine M. Waddell, Vice Chair, Science and Education Susan A. Willetts, Vice Chair & Immediate Past Chair Nicole S. Williams, Vice Chair, Finance & Investment Jean M. Franczyk, President & CEO DIRECTORS Russell F. Bartmes Martha D. Boudos Jennifer Brown, ex officio Neville F. Bryan John H. Buehler Michael J. Busch Heidi B. Capozzi Robin Colburn James W. DeYoung Jean M. Franczyk, ex officio Dorothy H. Gardner Steven J. Gavin Arthur J. Gibson Nancy Gidwitz Christopher E. Girgenti Ellis M. Goodman John K. Greene Charles V. Greener Joseph P. Gromacki Gillian Growdon William J. Hagenah Jonathan S. Holloway Jane Irwin Gregory K. Jones Peter Keehn Angela Korompilas Nancy Kurz, ex o cio M. James Leider Benjamin F. Lenhardt, Jr. Anne Leventry Diane vS. Levy Laura M. Linger Anne Loucks Michael J. McMurray Christopher Merrill William E. Moeller Gregory Moerschel Lois L. Morrison Jane Park George A. Peinado Toni Preckwinkle, ex officio Bob Probst Arnold Randall, ex officio John C. Robak James Robinson Ryan S. Ruskin Darren Serrao Robert E. Shaw Tom Skilling Maria Smithburg Harrison I. Steans Pam F. Szokol Kim Vender Mo at, ex officio Andrew J. Warzecha Melvin F. Williams Jr. Michael R. Zimmerman LIFE DIRECTORS Marilynn B. Alsdorf J. Melfort Campbell Barbara Whitney Carr Gary P. Coughlan Peter R. Crane Suzanne S. Dixon omas A. Donahoe Peter B. Foreman Ralph F. Fujimoto James J. Glasser Caryn L. Harris Pamela K. Hull omas B. Hunter III Posy L. Krehbiel Bill Kurtis Donna La Pietra Daniel I. H. Linzer Josephine P. Louis Mary L. McCormack Jeanine McNally William A. Osborn Homi B. Patel Susan L. Regenstein Anne O. Scott David Byron Smith Susan Stone Richard L. omas Howard J. Trienens Ernest P. Waud III Arthur M. Wood, Jr. We cultivate the power of plants to sustain and enrich life. It is no wonder #plantsmakepeoplehappy is a very popular hashtag. Yes, they do. And, just as important, they also allow us to eat and breathe. Whether at the main campus in Glencoe or at one of our ur- ban farms or research sites, our gardens resonate with people. We know that people want to spend time in gardens and green spaces, and that gardens are fundamentally important to our mental and physical well-being. In sharing those ideas, and all of our work, we aim to shape how people value, perceive, and care for the environment. is is a big, joyous responsibility, and it is the central idea that drives the Chicago Botanic Garden’s new ve-year strategic plan. e plan will serve as our guide to decision-making as we move into the second half of our rst century. e Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe is the foundation from which everything builds. e completed plant production facilities, which include the newly named Robert F. Finke Greenhouses, are the heart of the Garden. ey allow us to support our living collection, conduct research, preserve rare and endangered species, and maintain the high-quality hor- ticultural displays for which we are famous. is facility gives us the means to grow in stature and experience. In addition, the plan challenges us to change the perception of the Garden from a destina- tion to a generous idea that motivates people to get involved in preserving and protecting our planet. When we have a model that works, we will invest in that program to magnify its impact. Take, for instance, Windy City Harvest. It began nearly 15 years ago as an idea to grow food locally and help build healthier communities. We now run 13 farms in cooperation with 80 community organizations, and produce more than 130,000 pounds of vegetables and fruits a year. We intend to leverage Windy City Harvest’s well-established partnerships to o er more services such as horticultural therapy to communities. In addition, we are sharing Windy City Harvest’s model and best practices with organizations around the country that see urban agriculture as a way to improve communities, and we are investigating ways to make Windy City Harvest a more integral part of our Glencoe campus. “I’ve never been more excited about my neighborhood in my life.” at was the reaction from one of our Farm on Ogden neighbors. e Farm, a partnership between the Garden and Lawndale Christian Health Center, is located in North Lawndale, a Chicago commu- nity where 46 percent of residents live below the poverty line. Its farm stand, the commercial kitchen, aquaponics system, and purple-glowing LED lights signal to the community and beyond the power of plants and the ever-growing potential of the Chicago Botanic Garden. You help us do that. ank you. Jean M. Franczyk President and CEO