The award was presented to the Wildflower Center's Executive Director Lee Clippard by ASHS President Dean Kopsell. Photo credit: Scott Simons.
The Wildflower Center was founded in 1982 by Lady Bird Johnson and Helen Hayes as the National Wildflower Research Center and later renamed the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in 1997. It became part of The University of Texas at Austin in 2006. The Wildflower Center is a major botanic garden and research unit known for plant conservation, landscape restoration, and sustainable approaches to landscape design. Much of the research has focused on using native plants and sound design to address environmental problems, particularly water scarcity, climate change and loss of healthy ecosystems. The Wildflower Center's work championing native plants not only serves the state of Texas now, but it will also have long-reaching impact on the future of our cities and landscapes.
President Kopsell presented a bronze plaque to commemorate the designation. The plaque reads in part "Exemplifying a commitment to native plant conservation through research, education and outreach, the gardens demonstrate sustainability and ecological restoration through beautiful landscapes."
Established in 1903, the American Society for Horticultural Science is recognized around the world as one of the most respected and influential professional societies for horticultural scientists. ASHS is committed to promoting and encouraging national and international interest in scientific research and education in all branches of horticulture.
Comprised of thousands of members worldwide, ASHS represents a broad cross-section of the horticultural community - scientists, educators, students, landscape and turf managers, government, extension agents and industry professionals. ASHS members focus on practices and problems in horticulture: breeding, propagation, production and management, harvesting, handling and storage, processing, marketing and use of horticultural plants and products. To learn more, visit ashs.org.
