Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies Spring Board Meeting–March 27-28
As far as I know, Schlesinger never tried to make Gifford Garden work. It seems he was brought in to narrow the scope of the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, and make it fiscally responsible. I don’t think he understands the value of the garden or the unique role it plays for a large community. He is fixed on “science” but blind to the opportunity the garden had to communicate and promote scientific messages and methods. I believe he went about dismantling Gifford Garden without seriously pursuing options to keep it going, or reaching out in earnest for the community to help.
The CIES board of trustees hired him and is backing up his proposals. They too are clearly culpable. A number of the CIES trustees also sit on the boards of important garden organizations. I cannot fathom how they support his draconian moves. It seems to me that any garden organization with one of these trustees on it should be wary of its future. All gardens cost money. It’s the board’s job to raise it.
They could have afforded it. What seems clear, but is hard to accept, is that they didn’t want it. Schlesinger’s “science” is in the woods, who needs the garden?
While I’m busy blaming others, perhaps it’s time to blame ourselves. We gardeners expressed our upset and our outrage, but did little more. We could have banded together to Save Gifford Garden, but we didn’t. Perhaps we’re overextended in our own gardens.
Gifford Garden was CIES’s,but, incredulously, they didn’t feel that it was their responsibility. They were able to plan to rip it out and still look at their funders, the Cary trustees, straight in the eye and say that to rip out Gifford Garden supports the Cary mandate to be a benefit to the public.
Perhaps Schlesinger, up from the south, is able to more easily disfigure our cultural landscape because he doesn’t have a real affinity for it or our community. How long will he stay up here in the North, now that he’s made his improvements?
10 responses so far ↓
1 Mike Purcell // Feb 24, 2008 at 4:14 pm
What public benefit does the CIES Board of Directors possibly hope to achieve by deleting the Gifford Garden and the many thousands of volunteer hours that have helped in its propagation and maintenance?
As a sitting Board member of two 501 c-3 non profits in the Hudson Valley and former Gifford Garden volunteer I cannot fathom the current President’s reasoning and complete disregard for the volunteer base that has been so supportive of IES in the past.The Gifford Garden was one of the few (only?) public gardens in our area that was accessible to handicapped individuals, some of whom have been dedicated volunteers for many years.
Public benefit indeed.
2 Duncan Brine // Feb 29, 2008 at 8:05 pm
Mike and Sandra–
Ripping out Gifford Garden is heartbreaking, foolish, and sure to be regretted. Nonetheless, it’s
happening now and will continue unless we change the minds of the CIES board of trustees.
3 Gary // Mar 27, 2008 at 12:54 pm
Please continue your fight to save the Gifford House gardens. What about the tropical greenhouse?
4 Duncan Brine // Mar 27, 2008 at 1:14 pm
Gary–The Gifford House garden and the tropical greenhouse are both in the process of being removed and disassembled.
What a loss. Only the board of trustees can reverse their decision. It’s up to all of us to change their minds.
5 Karen D'Anselmi // Apr 5, 2008 at 7:55 am
I just sent a letter to the Poughkeepsie Journal. I think everyone should leave their own gardens for a week and blockade IES. It is outrageous.
6 Duncan Brine // Apr 5, 2008 at 8:49 am
I’m glad for your outraged response.
There is something unnerving about a large group of gardeners, garden-goers and homeowners silently suffering the wreckage of a longstanding, well-respected local resource. Outrage and action is in order, however, change will only occur if the IES, now CIES board decide it. Just recently the board had a meeting with no signs of change in their chosen direction of destruction.
7 jerry terpening, c/o // Apr 12, 2008 at 5:24 pm
When the CIES gardens and Greenhouse are levelled this summer, we should ask why are the Board of trustees giving the plants abd greenhouse away. If they are strapped for cash then why are they not selling it. WHY? The new director seems not to want to let everyone know what is going on. A once proud organization reduced to sneaky operations.
8 John Kaprielian // May 1, 2008 at 12:30 pm
Just learned about this YESTERDAY from a mailing I got from Cooperative Extension–Can’t believe they would do such an idiotic thing. At the very least, preserve the greenhouses or even sell/lease the space! The gardens, while perhaps of less scientific value, are a vital outreach into the community from which their donations come. This president seems way out of touch.
9 Julia Brine // May 1, 2008 at 1:17 pm
I appreciate your outrage.
Perhaps it was time for Gifford Garden to find a new direction but destroying its educational and aesthetic potential is a great and needless loss.
10 Joe // Jul 28, 2008 at 2:01 pm
Mrs. Carey was never too specific on how her endowment should be used which is unfortunate since her generosity has often been thanked by poor planning, misguided projects and the community as little more than an after-thought.
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