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Missouri Botanical Garden 4344 Shaw Blvd. 314-577-9400  "When you think Saint Louis, think Saint Louis Front Page," a weekly publication covering the news and events in the greater St. Louis area.  |
by Betty Moore, SLFP.com ST. LOUIS, (SLFP.com), March 2, 2010 - This fall, the Missouri Botanical Garden will turn over a new leaf as Dr. Peter Wyse Jackson, director of the National Botanic Gardens of Ireland in Dublin takes on the position of director as the successor to internationally-renowned Garden President Dr. Peter H. Raven. Dr. Jackson, who was born in Kilkenny, Ireland, and educated at the University of Dublin, Trinity College, has served as the director of the National Botanic Gardens of Ireland since March 2005. He will take on his new role as direction of the Missouri Botanical Garden, September 1, 2010. In remarks to the Garden staff gathered at Monsanto Hall, Jackson acknowledged that he was very excited to come to this institution because of his personal commitment to plant conservation, to biodiversity and to sustainability. "The mission of this Garden to discover and share knowledge about plants and the environment in order to preserve and enrich life is also my life and vision," stated Jackson. In an interview following the press conference, Jackson spoke about the importance of maintaining one of the finest collections of plants in the world. "I think the economic times are always going to be a challenge in terms of an institution like this because we have great plans and great ambitions. We just need to find the resources to achieve those." Jackson added that there were areas that he would love to see more developments taking place. "They don't always have to take money. We can be more creative and more imaginative and make some of our dollars stretch even further than we do already. It is our responsibility in securing a sustainable environment for future generations." Dr. Jackson is the author of score of scientific books and papers on plant conservation, gardening and horticulture, Irish floristics and plant systematics, and the management and conservation of endangered island floras. Dr. Raven, who participated in the search a new director, shared his thoughts on the status of the Missouri Botanical Garden after his 40 year tenure. "Well the people of St. Louis always support the garden strongly and as a result we have been able to grow and present more and more beautiful displays and programs and become active around the world," stated Dr. Raven. While difficult times have impacted many of the St. Louis attractions, Raven acknowledged that none of the five institutions supported by the tax generated by the St. Louis Zoo Museum District have suffered very much, unlike their counterparts in cities such as Chicago. "Our membership and attendance has remained strong," stated Raven. "We know that we remain strong in the hearts of the people of St. Louis and expect the future to be very good." Arnold W. Donald, Chair of the Missouri Botanical Garden's Board of Trustees, stated that Dr. Peter H. Raven has transformed the Garden into a a place of inclusiveness for our region. "He has put Missouri on the global map and his visionary leadership is unparalleled."
"We have on the grounds a small grove of dawn redwoods or Metasequoia from China that were discovered there in 1943," stated Raven. "We've taken about 5,000 cuttings from them and they are being propagated by nurseries. We'll be releasing that strain this fall. It's called the Henry Shaw's Dream, cultivar 'Peter Raven,' he added with a smile.
The Missouri Botanical Garden, fondly known as Shaw's Garden to St. Louisans, contains a formal English garden, traditional Japanese garden, Margaret Blanke Grigg Chinese garden, the Flower Trial Garden, greenhouses and extensive landscaping. The garden also features the Climatron Complex, water lily reflection ponds and the William T. Kemper Center for Home Gardening. The Climatron® geodesic dome and rainforest conservatory was dedicated 40 years ago in October 1960, replacing an old house built in 1913. The structure incorporates principles established by innovative architect R. Buckminster Fuller and was the first application of geodesic engineering for a greenhouse. The St. Louis architecture firm of Murphy & Mackey developed plans for the facility with Garden director Frits W. Went, who coined the term, Climatron. The dome is 70 feet high and 175 feet in diameter, permitting tall palm trees to tower majestically above the tropical vista of streams, waterfalls and 1,200 different species of exotic trees and plants. Temperature ranges from 64 to 74 degrees and average humidity is 85 percent. Visitors can enjoy a sense of being in a jungle while making their way by orchids, passion flowers, hibiscus flowers, cycads and a number of endangered species. In 1976, the dome was named one of the 100 most significant architectural achievements in United States history. The Garden, covering 79 acres, is located at 4344 Shaw Blvd, just south of Hwy 44 between Vandeventer and Grand. Extended summer hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesdays only from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Free parking on premises, as well as an extensive gift shop and restaurant with patio dining. For more information, call the GardenLine at 314-577-9400 or 800-642-8842. Archived Stories:  Annual Orchid Show at the Missouri Botanical Garden Is a French-Inspired Streetscape Under the Eiffel TowerGardenland Express Chugs Into Missouri Botanical Garden for Holiday SeasonGardenland Express Brings Wintery Wonderland in the Mountains of Vermont to Missouri Botanical GardenMissouri Botanical Garden Celebrates Six Millionth Herbarium Specimen 
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