© Harlem Valley Times: Dec. 13-19, 2007

Let’s Grow

by Mark Adams

Gifford Garden in Peril

As the Institute of Ecosystem Studies plans to close the renowned gardens at the Gifford House, Mark Adams gets the view from both sides of the fence.
Brad Roeller practically grew up at the Institute of Ecosystem Studies (I.E.S.), soon to be renamed the Cary Institute. During his three and a half decades as builder, teacher, gardener and now horticulturalist, Roeller has seen plenty of changes, as the Institute evolved from an arboretum on the 2,000-acre Millbrook estate of Mary Flagler Cary, who died in 1967, to a world-renowned research institute with 15 scientists on staff. Now Roeller is about to witness a new chapter in the Institute’s history, initiated by newly installed president, Dr, William H. Schlesinger.

The greenhouse will be torn down and the Gifford Garden behind the brick Gifford House on Route 44A will probably be removed. When I chatted with Roeller about theses radical developments, he kept stammering, “The greenhouse will be, um, we’ll have to, I mean it could eventually be…” Finally I blurted, “Destroyed.” He nodded…

Schlesinger, who is a biochemist with a keen interest in global environmental issues, wants to make a real contribution to the serious environmental problems out planet is facing, and that doesn’t come cheap.

Meanwhile, closer to home, Duncan Brine, principal landscape designer at Horticultural Design Inc…is going postal at the thought of the Gifford Garden being dug up. I first met Brine at an I.E.S, class (garden writing, believe it or not), and since then we’ve both attended lots of I.E.S. events and spent time in the garden. The half-acre or so of mostly flowering perennials have been used as research and inspiration by hundreds of gardeners and professional designers.

Brine, who must have learned something in class, has posted on his Web log www.savegiffordgarden.org. “Shall we follow the lead of I.E.S. and rip out our gardens? The Institute is uniquely positioned to continue to educate and inspire with Gifford Garden. Let them teach enlightened ways to garden which are informed by science and in consideration of the future.” Brine is concerned that by focusing on the big picture, Schlesinger is turning his back on the local public, who have always loved and supported I.E.S.

Brad Roeller maintains that the Institute is merely refocusing its efforts on the local front. The Gifford House will be reconfigured to house a visitor center and a program called the Ecosystem Literacy Initiative, to teach educators as well as students about ecosystems. The eight-mile network of walking and bicycling paths has always been a popular feature of the grounds, and that will be expanded and improved, with material available for self-guided tours. Roeller is in charge of installing or upgrading seven different groups of plants along the trails to illustrate different native habitats, such as a shrub swamp complex, a rich fen with ramshead orchids, an acidic bog with insectivorous pitcher plants and the popular fern glen. Once established, these areas should require no maintenance. Roeller is also planning a model no-maintenance landscape that homeowners can install. Hey, how about putting that behind the Gifford House?

Duncan Brine argues that a flower garden at the Gifford House would serve as the welcoming portal for local citizens at the new Cary Institute. Schlesinger wants to save the planet. What would Roeller do?

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Mark Adams is president of Dutchess County Farm Bureau and New York State Representative for the nursery/greenhouse industry to the American Farm Bureau Federation