25th Anniversary Celebration Honorees

This year we embark on our 25th anniversary!

On December 3, celebrations officially kicked off with a gala event in New York City, at which we honored these five people who have made a difference in the preservation of gardens in America:

JANE FORBES CLARK has provided leadership support for the Garden Conservancy’s programs since 1998, including her foundation’s philanthropic investment in the rehabilitation of the Gardens of Alcatraz, which now bring history to life for thousands of visitors every day.

JOHN KAUL GREENE and his wife, Jean, are avid gardeners who have been members of our Society of Fellows since 1994. John served on the Garden Conservancy’s board of directors for a decade and is a stalwart champion of the “Campaign to Save America’s Exceptional Gardens,” which built the Conservancy’s endowment fund.

DORRANCE HILL HAMILTON is a passionate plants- woman renowned for the horticultural excellence of her own award-winning gardens, as well as for her generosity to the preservation of exceptional gardens across the country. She has been a supporter of the Garden Conservancy since 1990, an Open Days host, and an advocate of our endowment campaign.

RICHARD WILLIAM LIGHTY is a founding member of the Garden Conservancy board of directors. Dick had a distinguished career in the worlds of horticulture and public gardens, including serving as the first director of both Mt. Cuba Center and establishing the Longwood Graduate Program in Public Horticulture.

MARCO POLO STUFANO has been a central figure in our organization since the Garden Conservancy’s beginning. Marco participated in early planning sessions, served on our board of directors, headed up the Screening Committee, and has provided horticultural advice and guidance on dozens of projects. He is currently on the board of directors for Greenwood Gardens and Hollister House Garden, among others.

25th Anniversary celebrations continue through 2015.