A message from our CEO

Dear Friends,

I’ve just returned to Mount Desert Island from the American Public Gardens Association’s annual conference in Denver, Colorado. It was inspiring to connect with peers from around the country—people deeply committed to the shared mission of supporting the vital role gardens play in our culture, our environment, and our quality of life.

This year’s conference felt especially affirming. A common theme was the idea of gardens as refuges where people can disconnect from the complexities of daily life and find a sense of peace. The Land & Garden Preserve exemplifies that idea beautifully. Often, people describe Mount Desert Island as feeling like a version of Narnia and the landscapes of the Preserve are certainly a world apart. Our vision is serenity, and we strive every day to deliver on that promise.

Gardner Sarah Whitcomb working to train clematis vines in the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Garden. Photograph by Nikolai Fox

Behind the scenes, of course, things are a bit less serene. Our team has been hard at work preparing for the summer season. As someone still relatively new to the Preserve, this was my first spring witnessing the intricate choreography that brings the gardens to life. I’ve seen firsthand the coordination between our horticulture and facilities teams to turn on seasonal water, repair irrigation systems, grade the carriage roads, and plant the vibrant borders you’ll see this summer.

Beyond the annual rhythms of preparation, we’ve also accomplished several major projects: relocating the Day Mountain parking lot and building new trail connectors, rebuilding the path to the Thuya Landing, and continuing construction at Greenrock. It’s a tremendous amount of work and I am grateful every day to be surrounded by such a talented and dedicated team.

When you visit this summer and see our staff working in the gardens and across the landscape, I hope you’ll join me in thanking them for everything they do to make your experience at the Land & Garden Preserve so memorable.

Speaking of extraordinary colleagues, I would be remiss if I didn’t take a moment to recognize the upcoming retirement of someone who has played an essential role in the success of the Preserve. Chris Stevenson, our Director of Business Operations, will be retiring this year after a decade of service. During that time, he’s helped guide us through a period of tremendous growth and transformation. Chris is widely respected by his peers and, though he’s most comfortable behind the scenes and quick to deflect praise, I want to offer my heartfelt thanks for his leadership and mentorship during my first year here. On behalf of the staff and the board of directors: Chris, thank you for your kindness, steady hand, good humor, and outstanding work. We wish you all the best in your next chapter.

To all, welcome to summer on the island—we look forward to seeing you on the Preserve soon!

Warmly,

Patrick MacRae, CEO

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