A look back at a fabulous summer

What a summer it’s been at the Preserve! From sunrise strolls around Little Long Pond to peaceful afternoons in the gardens, every corner of our lands was buzzing with life, color, and discovery. 

The Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Garden had a banner year, welcoming a record number of visitors who came to soak in its serenity and stunning borders. Thuya Garden kept the show going with brilliant blooms and sweeping views, while the Asticou Azalea Garden wowed guests in spring with its dazzling rhododendrons and is preparing to do so again this  fall with fiery autumn color. 

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This season also brought new ways to connect with the Preserve through our field walks and programs. Guests watched loons on Little Long Pond, learned about trail building from our stewardship staff, and paddled the pond to see the shoreline from a fresh perspective. In the gardens, visitors enjoyed guided tours with our skilled gardeners at both Asticou Azalea and Thuya—an opportunity to hear stories, techniques, and insights straight from the experts who care for these treasured places. 

As the season winds down, we are grateful for the joy and beauty that unfolded here, and for the visitors who brought their own sense of wonder to every garden path and woodland trail. 

Photographs by Nikolai Fox

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