Tower Hill Executive Director to Receive National Award

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Saturday, June 22, 2013

GoLocalWorcester Lifestyle Team

Tower Hill Botanic Garden's newly appointed Executive Director Kathy Abott has been selected by the American Society of Landscape Architects to receive the LaGasse Medal "for contributions to the management and conservation of natural resources and public landscapes."

Abbott took the helm at the 27-year old botanic garden in January, and has been a lifelong advocate for public funding for programs supporting environmental education and youth employment, historic landscape preservation, land conservation, urban parks, and improved access to and management of public lands. She served as the first president of the Boston Harbor Island Alliance [BHIA] and the first Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation.

The 171-year-old Worcester County Horticultural Society began development of Tower Hill Botanic Garden in 1986, and the Garden has since become nationally recognized as one of the finest gardens in the region. The Garden has seen tremendous growth since its inception, now one of the leading cultural organizations in Worcester County with more than 80,000 annual visitors and 10,000 active members.

Abbott: An Essential Player in the Environmental and Conservation Community

In her nomination letter, Kathleen Ogden, President of the Boston Society of Landscape Architects, praised Abbott's 6.5-year tenure at the BHIA, stating "she brought both the new Park and the new BHIA organization from infancy to one of the most well respected and effective players in the Massachusetts environmental and conservation community."

Andy Kendall, former President of the Trustees of Reservations, also endorsed Abbott's selection in a supporting letter, noting "Without a doubt, Kathy's most important contribution was to help the organization (The Trustees of Reservations) and its many constituents realize that the important work of preservation and stewardship of important natural and cultural landscapes can only be accomplished by inviting the public to join in and help."

Upon selecting Abbott as Tower Hill's Executive Director, Board President Christopher S. Reece said "The Board of Trustees envision Tower Hill Botanic Garden as a force of nature in New England. Kathy shares that vision and has the skills to build a broad and engaged community grounded in gardening and horticulture. At Tower Hill we want to provide a fun and relaxing environment where we can promote the contributions that plants make to the environment and the economy. They are the source of all the air we breathe, the food we eat and are critical to maintaining the water we drink."

Along with others selected to be honored with awards, Abbott will receive the LaGasse Medal at the 2013 ASLA Annual Meeting & EXPO, November 15-18, in Boston.
 

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