Gathering in the landscapes we love
Updated: 3 hours ago
Shared experiences in the gardens and landscapes remind us that the Preserve is more than a collection of extraordinary gardens and landscapes. It is a community of people who care deeply about this unique place and their role as stewards.
Throughout the season, we welcomed visitors through public programs, member events, and special gatherings designed to offer unique experiences beyond regular visiting hours. We also came together for annual celebrations and working meetings that honored the staff, volunteers, and supporters whose dedication sustains the Preserve year after year.
This season, we offered ten educational field programs in our natural lands, exploring a wide range of topics for members and the public alike. Throughout the season, our knowledgeable Natural Lands team held meet-and-greet sessions at the Little Long Pond Boathouse, talking with visitors about the history and ecology of the pond, meadows, and forest. At the time of this newsletter, one final field walk remains on October 9, when our partners at the Maine Outdoor School will lead an evening program about the night sky. Click here to register for this event.
On July 31, Asticou Azalea Garden Manager Mary Roper and her team transformed the garden for the biennial Lantern Stroll, creating a luminous and interactive evening experience. A beloved tradition for local families and summer visitors, the event invites guests to gather at dusk and experience the garden in a different light, with lanterns illuminating pathways, trees, and garden vistas.
At the height of August, the Board of Directors gathered for its annual meeting. This marked a meaningful transition as two long-serving directors completed their terms and two new directors joined. With deep gratitude, we thanked Amy Falls and Lauren Kogod for their nine years of dedicated service.
We will miss their leadership around the board table but know they will always be cherished members of the Preserve community. We are equally delighted to welcome new board directors Katy Longley (photo below, left) and Hadley Planting Powell (photo below, right) and look forward to their insight, expertise, and enthusiasm.
Following the board meeting, the Preserve hosted a reception at the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Garden to celebrate the stewards of our landscapes. Staff, volunteers, board directors, and their families gathered to enjoy refreshments in the garden, reflect on the season's accomplishments, and share in the camaraderie that makes the Preserve such a special place to be.
As August drew to a close, we celebrated the beginning of a new chapter for the Preserve with an open house at our revitalized Greenrock campus.
The historic farmhouse has been thoughtfully renewed and expanded with a bright, modern addition that brings our administrative team together under one roof.
The former shop buildings have been replaced by a new facility that honors the earlier structures while significantly improving the efficiency of our Facilities, Carpentry, and Lands teams.
Equipped with a rooftop solar array, electric vehicle charging stations, and expanded gathering space for staff, the new campus reflects our commitment to sustainability and supporting the people who care for the Preserve every day.
Credit for photo of Katy Longley: Kasey Ivan Photography
Credit for photo of Hadley Planting Powell: Emily Figurelli
Credit for all other photos: Nikolai Fox
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