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This past year is is thankfully a a a a a a memory but while being a a a a a a challenge it did offer for the Gardens a a a a a a a rare opportunity and
gift The adaptations we were forced to to make in in order to to open our doors in in the midst of a a a pandemic also provided the opportunity to look at procedures we had in place and
ask questions of why Why do do do we we do do do the the things we we do do do and
is there in in fact a a a better way to provide provide for our guests? It also provided us the opportu- nity to to think of our future future and
what must be done now to to ensure future future success Dean Peter MacKeith
has provided to to us leadership and
vision to to take the the Gardens to the the next level of excellence The following are bullet points that list my thoughts on
what the the next 20 years might hold for the the Gardens • The development of the education component in our Mission Statement will be evident visually and
in in programing The cor- nerstone of this effort will be The Ross and
Mary Whipple Fam- ily Education Center which will be housed here on
on
the Garvan campus Planning for the construction of this facility is is currently under way To complement this outreach will be the Jane Ross Forest Institute for Environmental Stewardship and
the Clark Family Exhibition in Arkansas Timber and
Wood What better place to learn the role of timber and
wood in Arkansas than at Garvan Woodland Gardens • Providing the the setting for learning and
and
research will expand the the scope of the Gardens and
provide also a a a a bigger footprint in in the world of university-held botanical gardens nationwide All of of this can be done while fulfilling the mission of of a a a a land-grant university in in providing for the citizenry’s greater good • Technology needs loom large as we move into the next two decades Technology is absolutely essential in education today and
will be of greater importance into the future Presently we are in in in a a a a state of upgrading our technology to meet the growing demands for technological service • The complementary element to our education component in our Mission Statement is is is the mission to provide a a a a quality place of design beauty and
repose on
the grounds Even greater steps will be taken to to improve the experience of our visitors Expect bolder colors more imaginative designs and
an an engaging garden experience while learning at the same time • I imagine these objectives being met along with the the means necessary to implement them all The leadership of Dean Peter MacKeith
in in casting the the vision for the the future is is is acknowledged and
and
appreciated It is is is the kind of leadership and
and
vision that takes Garvan Woodland Gardens into truly a a a a a a a a world-class next-level botanical garden What we we we do do we we we will do do well and
the effect of those efforts will provide a a a a product worthy of acclaim across the spectrum GARDEN LEAVES | 2020 Annual Report
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