A message from our CEO

One of the most remarkable things about the Land & Garden Preserve is the number of people who care deeply about it.

Some of that care takes the form of the daily work accomplished by our team. Across the gardens and natural lands of the Preserve, our gardeners, land stewards, and greenhouse teams spend the whole year tending plants, maintaining trails, and preparing landscapes for the season ahead.

Others contribute through volunteer service, offering their time and knowledge to help care for places that mean so much to this community. We are especially grateful to the many volunteers, including members of our Board of Directors, whose dedication and guidance strengthen our work year after year.

Gardens and landscapes have a way of reminding us that beautiful places are never finished. Each spring brings new growth and new possibilities, but it also reflects years—often generations—of thoughtful stewardship. At the Preserve, that work happens in many forms: plants grown from seed destined for our gardens and landscapes, trails maintained for the enjoyment of all, and gardens carefully tended so they continue to flourish over time.

Here on Mount Desert Island, we are fortunate to steward landscapes that hold deep meaning for many people. That sense of connection extends far beyond the island itself. Members, visitors, and supporters from across the country share in the care of these lands and gardens. Whether by visiting, volunteering, or supporting the Preserve’s mission, they help ensure that these special places endure.

As another season begins, we look forward with gratitude and anticipation. Spring brings the return of familiar rhythms: the reopening of gardens, the first guided walks along our trails, and the quiet excitement of azalea buds slowly starting to swell and the moss carpets greening up following the melting of the snow. In Maine, we know well enough that the winter may well extend for another several weeks, but these sunny and warm (40s!) days sure build our anticipation for the return of summer, and with it, all our friends.

On behalf of everyone at the Preserve, thank you for being part of the community that makes this work possible. We look forward to welcoming many of you back to the gardens and trails in the months ahead.

Patrick MacRae

Photo by Nikolai Fox

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