In the 1970s, scientist and philosopher Rene Dubos guided us to “think globally, act locally” in addressing environmental problems. The Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens is leading by example with its new “Conservation Conversations” speaker series. The series will continue on the first Thursday evening of the month from January to April 2024.
“’Conservation Conversations’ is a series directly tied to our mission here at the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens,” said Margaret Horgan, executive director for the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens. “It was Ann Norton’s specific intention for her property to be enjoyed by the community as a natural sanctuary where nature, art and history are intertwined. The Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens has beautiful spaces that naturally lend themselves to expanding our horticultural programming, including the newly restored historic Orchid House Plaza and the creation of the artistically designed Pollinator Garden. We are thrilled to finally bring this vision to life and have CJ McCartney leading our efforts.”
“Conservation Conversations” is an exploration of current topics on conservation, sustainability and restoration of Florida’s natural resources with the state’s leading conservation groups. The format of each session will be a presentation followed by a discussion and Q&A. The schedule is as follows:
• January 4, 2024: Love Letters to Palm Beach County – A Visual Overview of Palm Beach through the Lens of a Photographer, Scientist and Conservationist (Presenter: Benji Studt, conservation photographer, scientist, nature communicator and Palm Beach County’s Environmental Resources Management’s Outreach team leader).
• February 1, 2024: Restoration and Conservation of Habitats and Native Plants – The Importance of Conservation for Endangered and Imperiled Native Plants and Wildlife. (Presenter: George D. Gann, executive director, chief conservation strategist, Institute of Regional Conservation).
• March 7, 2024: Restoration and Transformation of Our Landscapes and Public Areas – How Community Engagement Creates Sustainability and Impact (Presenter: CJ McCartney, Fl. Wildflower Foundation board of directors and ANSG’s Master Gardener in Residence).
• April 4, 2024: Saving Wild Florida: Conservation on a Coastal Barrier Island – Strategies to Protect and Conserve (Presenters: Sarah Martin Kittredge, South Florida Land Conservation Manager, The Nature Conservancy and Cristin Krasco, Blowing Rocks Preserve Manager, The Nature Conservancy in Florida).
“The series starts with a statewide perspective, then brings the focus to Palm Beach County and the surrounding region,” said CJ McCartney, ANSG Master-Gardener-in-Residence. “With so many environmental headlines, especially in Florida, there’s never been a better time to convene these types of conversations and educate ourselves on how these global issues impact us right here in our own backyard. We are grateful to the Florida Wildflower Foundation for their generous donation of native plants and wildflower seeds for all attendees.”
After moving to South Florida from Chicago, McCartney started learning how to be a knowledgeable and effective environmental steward. Along with training to become a Master Gardener, she started taking a variety of botanical and horticulture classes as well as seminars to supplement her formal education from Harvard University’s JFK School of Government graduate program in Public Affairs and Policy. Currently, she vouchers native plants for the Department of Environmental Resources Management, serves as vice-chair on the board of the Florida Wildflower Foundation and works as the Master Gardener-in-Residence at Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens. In addition to her role with “Conservation Conversations,” she also leads the Master Gardener in Residence walking guided tour of the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens’ rare palm, cycad and pollinator gardens. She currently resides in Palm Beach Gardens.
The Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens is a non-profit foundation established in 1977 by resident sculptor Ann Weaver Norton (1905-1982). A two-acre urban sanctuary and internationally recognized arboretum, the compound comprises the historic Norton House and Artist Studio, exhibition galleries, monumental sculptures, Pollinator Garden, historic Orchid House Plaza and tropical gardens of more than 250 species of rare palms and cycads. The Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens’ mission is to enrich lives with nature, art and history.
The Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens will have special admission pricing for the “Conservation Conversations” speaker series. General admission is $30 per person. ANSG members and seniors are $25 each and children 18 and under are $12 each. Reservations in advance are required. To register, please visit ansg.org or call 561-832-5328.
