Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens Donor Honor Roll 2018-19 mission The Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens provides a sanctuary and fosters curiosity to explore, enjoy, and learn about the habitats of the natural world. vision Inspire generations to care about and conserve Earth’s resources. board of directors 2019 Polly O’Brien Morrow, chair Linda Albanese Kim Tuffarelli, vice chair Jane Alpert Mary Borba, secretary Nick Attard Patty Sweeney, treasurer Brandon Bogard Scott Conley Jan Greenberg Nancy Klein Dennis Ladd Visit the Word Garden to write poetry, leave a message for a friend, or make a proposal! The Word Adam Noren Garden is the generous donation of Pitney Bowes Foundation. Xavier Ramirez James Rubino Peter Russell thank you. Leigh Shemitz The Board of Directors, Advisors, and the thousands of annual visitors to the Bartlett Arboretum Lisa Silver & Gardens thank you for your generous support during fiscal year July 1, 2018 through June 30, Randy Skigen 2019. We are proud to share with you this annual report of our donors. This report is much more Karrin Smoley than a collection of data. It is a tribute to those people whose generosity and volunteerism enrich the Paul Travaglino, ex officio programming, the collections, and the whole experience that is the Bartlett Arboretum. You help us Jane von Trapp, ex officio maintain and protect 93 acres of native habitat filled with walking trails, plant collections, and Cham- advisors 2019 pion and Notable trees. Your support is helping to grow future environmental stewards by exposing Cheryl Carter them to nature and teaching them to protect it for generations to come. Because of you, the Bartlett Stuart Danoff Arboretum thrives! Mark Greenwald Carol Levine on the cover: More than 112 separate varieties of ferns grace the Alice Smith Fern Allée, which is Thomas Madden dedicated to our beloved volunteer and friend Alice Smith. The scope and quality of this collection Gail Malloy rivals those found at major botanical gardens across the country. Marianne Pollak Tom Van Gessel year in review. Our 2019 fiscal year has been another one filled with great success made possible by your generous support. The Board of Directors, Advisors, Committees, and Task Forces have worked hard to further implement our three-year strategic plan, as we have continued to expand our programming, improve our buildings and grounds, and put into practice our compelling and unique mission and vision. At our fall gala, Flower Power, we raised funds to launch a public programs ini- tiative, putting the GrowMobile (funded by last year’s gala paddle raise) out on the road to help fulfill our mission of growing environmental stewards in every neighborhood. The GrowMobile has been highly visible at parks, community and senior centers, schools, and other agencies throughout the region. We are proud and excited to bring the Bartlett to all of our neighborhoods as we continue to encourage all to visit and enjoy our beautiful campus. Many events filled the calendar, including our ArborEarth Family Festival, spring Plant Sale, and a banner summer Sunday concert series, which featured out- We have developed plans for a new greenhouse to replace the one that has served us well for the standing classic rock, Americana, and folk music filling the evening air. We also past four decades. Its systems are deteriorating, and it causes our tropical plants and orchids who launched summertime Yappy Hours, engaging our ever-growing community of dog crave high humidity to compete with our cacti and succulents who prefer a dry habitat. We have owners and their furry friends. These and other efforts have attracted new audienc- begun fundraising for a new conservatory with educational and propagation wings as well as an es to the Bartlett, built community, and brought in new members and contributors event wing. to support our work. The Silver Educational Building Library is always buzzing with activity from the Master Gardeners Our education programs continue to introduce the world of botany and environ- who identify plants and diagnose insect and disease problems seasonally for the public in the free mental stewardship to Stamford second graders, children served by Inspirica, and plant clinic to the bees in our indoor bee observatory. This year’s queen bee is a rock star. We have other students from Fairfield and Westchester counties. Our education programs had to split the hive twice in just a few months because she is laying eggs like crazy and the workers serve students from virtually every grade and school system in our region, includ- are making an abundance of honey. ing students from area private schools. In all, more than 5,000 children enjoyed learning about botany and exploring nature while unplugging from electronics and We continue to partner with a wide array of organizations, including Bartlett Tree Experts, Stamford exploring nature. Adults enjoyed our Backyard Gardening lecture series on climate Public Schools, Inspirica, the Stamford 2030 District, United Way, SoundWaters, Mill River Col- change, horticultural therapy, making flower mandalas, tick prevention, and a visit laborative, Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut, Audubon Greenwich, American Horticultural inspired vision. with Margaret Roach, noted gardening author. Professional landscaper classes Society, and the American Public Garden Association. And we are proud to host the Yama Ki Bonsai taught during the winter attracted more than 50 individuals preparing for their cer- Society, the Stamford Garden Club, Girl and Boy Scout troops, Eagle Scouts, OPIN (Outreach for tification examinations. And the Bartlett-hosted University of Connecticut Exten- Pets in Need) dog rescue, and the Loft Artists Association on a regular basis. sion Master Gardener program graduated another outstanding cohort of Master Gardeners who continue to provide essential community education and outreach Our beautiful website has produced hundreds of inquiries and opportunities to engage with our programs and enhance the grounds and habitats at the Bartlett Arboretum. community. Visit www.bartlettarboretum.org often to read our blog, learn about plants, and keep up with our events. Be sure to subscribe to our weekly e-blast and follow our posts on Facebook, Buildings and grounds improvements included informative and attractive new Instagram, and Twitter. signage, air conditioning of our administrative offices in the Homestead building, and, thanks to a generous donation, the renovation of the Jane Bartlett Heisinger Wildflower Garden. We added several new rhododendrons hybridized by Gustav Mehlquist to the Mehlquist Garden, and a number of beautiful magnolias to the Kate and Robert Bartlett, Jr. Magnolia Collection. Chair of the Board Chief Executive Officer second grade program. public program outreach. Hart Magnet Elementary School second graders take a break from learning about Northeast Elementary School planted a monarch butterfly garden this year with help pollinators to enjoy a moment in the Bartlett Word Garden. from our educational staff and plants grown at the Arboretum. learn. above: The Arboretum awarded scholarships to students from three of the Stamford Westover Elementary School learning An interactive Promethean Whiteboard high schools. (l) Mike Belletzkie, director of education, (r) Recipient Ryan Hoak, grad- about seed dispersal in the fall. augments our curriculum. uate of Stamford High School. below: Outreach programming at Inspirica. foster curiosity. Sneaking a peek at philodendron roots in the greenhouse. flower power! Chair of the Board Polly O’Brien Morrow october 11, 2018 FLOWER TO BENEFIT POWERBARTLETT ARBORETUM & GARDENS committee tri-chairs Mary & Philip Borba Nancy Klein & David Mannis Lisa & Grant Silver benefit committee Stamford Rotary attendees (l to r) Arisleyda Riehl, Jane von Trapp, Linda & Louis Albanese David Mannis, Gail Malloy, Alice Knapp, Sahara & Chris Farrugio Jane Alpert Laura & Nick Attard Leigh Shemitz Kate & Robert Bartlett Randy Skigen Katherine & Brandon Bogard Karrin Smoley Cheryl Carter Patty Sweeney Winston Churchill-Joell Patty & Paul Travaglino Honoree Linda Nykaza Andrea Chusid Kim Tuffarelli Albanese Linnea & Scott Conley Tom Van Gessel S. Jane von Trapp Stuart Danoff Tri-chair Nancy Klein, Leigh Shemitz, CT Senator Alex Bergstein, enjoy. Dana Weinberg Honorees Delphine Fairley & Susan DiMattia CT Representative Matt Blumenthal, Sharon Sarner, tri-chair Lisa Nestlé Waters North America Naomi & Joel Freedman sponsors Silver Jan Greenberg azalea rose Mark Greenwald Albanese Family AffinEco LLC Eden Huang Nestlé Waters North America Coastal Capital Group LLC Alice Knapp Odyssey Group Foundation General Re Jennifer & Dennis Ladd Pitney Bowes First County Bank Carol Levine The F.A. Bartlett Tree Expert Company Ladd Family Peter Lyon Leo P. Gallagher & Son Funeral Home Thomas Madden Lisa & Grant Silver Gail Malloy magnolia Polly O’Brien Morrow & Robert Morrow Borba Family Maya & Adam Noren Oracle Corporation media sponsor Marianne Pollak Purdue Pharma L.P. Moffly Media Xavier Ramirez Starwood Capital Group James Rubino in-kind thanks to: Lola & Peter Russell mountain laurel Nestlé Waters North America Marylee Santoro Stamford Hospital Foundation Travaglino Family bartlett summer camp. backyard gardening series. Digging for worms and artifacts! Park rangers exploring bees! With topics like climate change (Dr. Mitch Wagener below right), tick prevention, making flower man- dalas (below left), horticultural therapy, and “A Way to Garden”