2002 Annual Report
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MISSION STATEMENT To be a living museum which serves local, regional and global communities while developing and promoting public understanding of the relationship between the plant world, humanity and the rest of nature. SPECIAL BULLETIN NO. 54 JUNE 2003 COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 54 JUIN 2003 2002ANNUAL REPORT/RAPPORT ANNUEL PRESIDENT AND CEO’S REPORT Roger Wheelock As the incoming President and Chief Executive Officer be much wider, so that it becomes a botanical garden of of Royal Botanical Gardens I am honoured to join an which all Ontarians, Canadians, botanists and gardeners organization with such a substantial international can be proud. We still have a long way to go, but I can reputation, at the beginning of a pivotal time in its see from the excitement being generated that the citizens BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2002/2003 history. It has become clear to me that we have reached of Ontario soon will be proud to call us their own. one of those moments when an institution is ready to Appointed by Council Bill Bennett Additional Members in Place take a giant step into the future. Although much of the attention Royal Botanical of City of Hamilton Brenda Yates of Appointments by Governor- Gardens has garnered has been about the planned Councillor Marvin Caplan Rick Kington General-in-Council Our community has been buzzing since September 27, expansion, we still are focussing on our mandate to Councillor Russ Powers 3 vacancies Andrew Nizielski 2002, when the federal and provincial governments begin to present beautiful horticultural displays while Mark Rizzo 1 vacancy jointly announced $18 million in funding commit- engaging in relevant botanical and environmental Brian Henley Representing RBG Auxiliary ments for The Gardens’ $45-million expansion project. research. We are grateful to our many partners and Warren Pitton Sally Wilson Liaison Member — The expansion is the most significant addition to The stakeholders who have been so dedicated to the excellent Kathy Renwald RBG Auxiliary Gardens in many years. When it is completed, we will be work that is undertaken to improve our habitats and to Representing McMaster Duncan Ross well on our way to becoming this region’s major 12- help preserve threatened flora and fauna. These are Appointed by Council University month tourist destination with a reputation that deserves partnerships which we value now and into the future. of Halton Region Dr. Peter George, President, the designation of "Ontario’s Botanical Gardens." We Mayor Robert MacIsaac McMaster University will present our horticultural displays more effectively I want to express my gratitude to the Board, staff and Councillor Kevin Flynn for both average and avid gardeners and we will have volunteers at Royal Botanical Gardens and the Ruth Lee Appointed by the Lieutenant- the ability to attract many more visitors year-round supportive community of our region. As I wound my Governor-in-Council, than we have in the past. way through this complicated organization, many Appointees of the Board of Ontario people pointed the way and enlightened me on the Ted Boswell Marnie Spears Royal Botanical Gardens plays a leading role in the contribution The Gardens makes to our society and David Howell Alan Goddard increasing importance of botanical gardens in the 21st our world. Finally, let me thank all those who have Roger Couldrey century. However, the reputation of The Gardens should made Susi and me feel welcome here. OUR CAPITAL Woodland Garden across Canada. By comparing current information with The Morrison Woodland Garden in Hendrie Park is historical data, scientists hope to gain a better EXPANSION PLAN much more accessible thanks to a generous donation understanding of ecological patterns to predict future from Tina Turkstra and assistance from Dr. Carl trends in environmental change. Funding Commitments Confirmed Turkstra. Gardens staff constructed a new wheelchair- On September 27, 2002, Mark A. Rizzo, then-chair of accessible wooden walkway that meanders into Hendrie Green Legacy Royal Botanical Gardens’ Board of Directors, announced Valley so visitors can get a closer view of the woodland In May, Royal Botanical Gardens and Canadian that The Gardens received $18 million in combined plants. The Turkstras’ gift also allowed The Gardens to Museum of Nature launched Green Legacy, a national funding commitments from the government of Ontario plant rhododendrons around the walkway. travelling exhibition emphasizing the dynamic role and the federal government to begin a planned native plants play in defining our landscapes and our expansion that will transform RBG into a year-round Board Chair Mark Rizzo, New President and CEO Roger sense of place in Canada. The exhibition is touring the tourist attraction. The announcement brought a lot of Wheelock and Director Emeritus Dr. Leslie Laking. country for three years. attention to the Gardens and signified the provincial and federal governments recognition of Royal Botanical Butchart Gardens in Victoria. Mr. Wheelock also served Volunteer Hours Gardens’ stature as one of Canada’s premier cultural on a variety of boards and commissions, including The highly committed members of the Royal Botanical institutions and tourist attractions. chair of the University of Victoria, and honorary trustee Gardens Auxiliary came to the Gardens' aid in almost and trustee emeritus of the Victoria Foundation. every facet of our operations in 2002. Whether it was Healthy Pause "front-line" duties, such as staffing the Information Following confirmation of government funding Colour Comes Alive at the Gardens Desk or the Gardens' Shop, or working behind the scenes commitments, the Board of Directors decided to examine In late June, The Gardens launched an ambitious new, at meetings or in the workshop, the volunteers logged all aspects of the project during a “healthy pause.” In Board Chair Mark Rizzo, Garden’s Staff Gerry Maloney season-long exhibit that showcased creative plantings and Herman Turkstra watch as Patrick Maloney and 47,206 hours. this period, The Gardens’ Board and management took in the Rock Garden and Hendrie Park. Special events, Tina Turkstra cut the ribbon at the entrance to the advantage of input garnered from the newly formed including the premier of Red Hot Jazz and Cool Blues new boardwalk. Our Volunteer Partners Capital Committee. It also allowed for input from Roger on Wednesday nights, complemented the living exhibit. The Royal Botanical Gardens Auxiliary's good work Wheelock, The Gardens’ new President and Chief Just as artists use colour to express feelings and create Investing in nature included generous donations from the proceeds of their Executive Officer, who took over about a month an image, The Gardens’ landscape designers used plants The Gardens received a five-year grant to help save business ventures. In 2002, the organization committed following the funding announcement. This process as living palettes to create mood, engage emotions and Canada’s endangered plants from extinction, as part of $250,000 toward The Gardens' operating budget, as continued into 2003. trick the eye. a worldwide partnership established with a $50-million well as $150,000 for the capital expansion project. donation from HSBC. The Gardens was the sole AROUND THE GARDENS Attendance Canadian recipient of support to botanical gardens Our visitation grew in the 2002 season despite weather under an initiative called Investing in Nature. The Gardens Gets New CEO that was not ideal for an outdoor attraction. The stability funding improves conservation work and education On November 1, Royal Botanical Gardens welcomed was attributed to the introduction of new features, such programs at The Garden and other Canadian botanical its new President and Chief Executive Officer, Roger as Colour Comes Alive. gardens. It includes participation in an international Wheelock. Mr. Wheelock joined The Gardens at a busy seed bank initiative and supports a staff position in time in its history; only days before the announcement AABGA Annual Conference plant conservation and education. of his appointment, The Gardens received word that it The American Association of Botanical Gardens and had secured $18 million in funding commitments from Arboreta held its annual conference at the Hamilton PlantWatch the federal and provincial government toward its Convention Centre and Royal Botanical Gardens in A new national PlantWatch program was launched in planned capital expansion. Mr. Wheelock joined The August. Hundreds of delegates from across North spring 2002, as part of a series of NatureWatch programs Gardens from the Canadian Tourism Commission where America attended the event. All Royal Botanical Gardens developed by the Canadian Nature Federation and he was executive vice-president and chief operating staff and Auxiliary members pitched in to make the Environment Canada’s Ecological Monitoring and officer. He spent much of his professional career as conference a success. Assessment Network. The program is designed to general manager and chief executive officer of The pinpoint and provide information on ecological changes 2 3 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS To the Members of Royal Botanical Gardens We have audited the statement of financial position of Royal Botanical Gardens as at December 31, 2002 and the statements of operations, changes in net assets and cash flows for the year then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the organiza- tion’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial