The Young Man and the Tree is gorgeous proof of ELLE Decor’s claim that Fernando Wong is “one of the most influential landscape designers in America.” As the luxuriant private gardens featured in this sumptuously illustrated book reveal, Wong has become renowned for designing not only landscapes of lushly layered foliage and flowers but also elaborate garden follies, pools, pool pavilions, outdoor kitchens, fountains, sculpture gardens, and hardscapes. Trained in architecture and interior design in his native Panama, Fernando Wong turned to landscape design after moving to the United States in 2001, and along with his partner, Tim Johnson, founded Fernando Wong Outdoor Living Design in 2005. All the projects featured here are located in tropical climes, including Miami, Palm Beach, and Lyford Cay on Nassau. With a foreword by Martha Stewart and commentary by noted interior designers including David Netto, Miles Redd, and Amanda Lindroth, who decorated some of the homes for which Wong created the gardens, this book provides gardeners and garden lovers everywhere with fresh inspiration. $5 Conservancy members, $15 nonmembers. Register at https://www.gardenconservancy.org/events/web26-the-young-man-and-the-tree-fernando-wong-landscape-design
Join creator, writer, and host of Cultivating Place: Conversations on Natural History and the Human Impulse to Garden, Jennifer Jewell, and Native Plant Trust CEO Tim Johnson as they explore an expansive model for engaging with native plants, one that includes numerous access points for people of all interests and needs to see native plants as assets and allies in their lives. Jennifer will also discuss What We Sow and the process of developing a cohosting model for Cultivating Place. The event takes place July 11 from 7 – 8 at The Foundry, 101 Rogers Street in Cambridge. Free, but donations in any amount encouraged. For more information and to register, visit https://www.nativeplanttrust.org/events/jennifer-jewell-and-tim-johnson-a-fireside-chat-class/
You have probably heard that diversity is good for the environment, but have you ever wondered how exactly plant diversity benefits ecosystems and the life (including yours) that these ecosystems support? Join CEO of Native Plant Trust Tim Johnson at the Boston Athenaeum on June 17 for a wide ranging talk about the history of the conservation movement in the United States, the tools plant conservationists use to protect plants from extinction, and what plant ecology can teach us about how to resist, endure, and adapt when the things we hold dear come under attack.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Tim Johnson grew up fishing public waterways and hunting the county forests, state natural areas, and his neighbors’ fields in Wisconsin. There, he learned that science can teach us how ecosystems work, but conservation is all about changing hearts and minds. He earned a Bachelor of Science in biological sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and an MS and PhD in environmental horticulture from the University of Florida, where he researched methods for conserving rare orchids on the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge. After completing his doctorate, Johnson worked as the Head of Preservation and Seed Bank Manager for Seed Savers Exchange and the Director of the Botanic Garden of Smith College. He joined Native Plant Trust in January of 2024.
TICKETS & TICKET POLICIES
Tickets are required for this event. Members and their guests are at no cost. Visitor tickets are $20 and include first floor admission. Tickets are refundable if canceled up to 48 hours before the event. To purchase online visit www.bostonathenaeum.org
The Boston Athenaeum welcomes people of all abilities. If you have questions regarding accessibility, please email events@bostonathenaeum.org.
The Board of Trustees of Native Plant Trust today announced the appointment of Tim Johnson as its new Chief Executive Officer. Native Plant Trust is the nation’s first plant conservation organization and the only one solely focused on New England’s native plants. Johnson joins Native Plant Trust from Smith College, where he was Director of the Botanic Garden and Professor of Practice.
Johnson will lead the conservation and horticulture organization, including 45-acre Garden in the Woods in Framingham, MA; Nasami Farm, a native plant nursery in Whately, MA; and expanded seed-processing and storage facilities to support the new Northeast Seed Network, a regional initiative led by Native Plant Trust to create a sustainable source of seed to meet the increased demand for native plants. Johnson brings a background in environmental horticulture and biological science to a long-standing career in conservation and botanic garden administration and leadership, pillars of Native Plant Trust’s mission and organization.
At Smith College, Johnson expanded the impact of scientific programming and conservation science research, mentorship and education. He oversaw the financial management of the renowned botanic garden, and guided the development of organizational vision in alignment with mission. He grew the botanic garden’s fundraising capacity, led strategic planning including the first comprehensive plan in its 128-year history, and restructured and strengthened internal and external communications. He modernized links to the college curriculum, oversaw membership growth, audience diversification and founded the garden’s germplasm conservation collections by partnering with Botanic Gardens Conservation International. Prior to his role at Smith, Johnson was Head of Preservation and
Seed Bank Manager at Seed Savers Exchange, an international non-profit that stewards America’s culturally diverse and endangered garden and food crop legacy through the preservation and collection of 27,000 heirloom seed varieties.
A native of Wisconsin, Johnson focused his studies on biology and environmental horticulture, earning a Bachelor of Science in biological sciences at the University of Wisconsin- Eau Claire and a PhD in environmental horticulture from the University of Florida. The appointment is the culmination of a national search, and follows the retirement of Executive Director Debbi Edelstein in January 2024 after fifteen years of distinguished service to the organization. Johnson will begin his role as CEO at Native Plant Trust on January 29, 2024.
