The Chicago Botanic Garden has received its largest financial gift in its history with plans to use the funds for plant conservation science research and restoration, officials said.
Last month, the Garden announced it has received a $21 million donation from the Northbrook-based Negaunee Foundation. Garden officials believe the donation is one of the largest for any botanic garden.
“The Negaunee Foundation, in a show of enthusiastic support for the performance and success of the Negaunee Institute, is pleased to renew its financial commitment for the Institute’s ongoing operations,” The Foundation said in a statement.
“The Negaunee Foundation gift will accelerate the Garden’s work as a global leader in the fight to save plants from extinction and protect the natural habitats that sustain our world — among the most critical issues of our time,” according to a Garden statement. “The gift will be used to do several impactful things, including building world-class seed and pollen banks, helping to prevent the loss of genetic diversity in botanic garden collections, and training new conservation scientists.”
Through the gift, the Garden intends to hire a curator presiding over seed and pollen banks, according to a Garden spokeswoman.
The donation represents a new chapter in the ongoing relationship between the Garden and the Foundation that dates back to 2007.
Four years ago, the Garden’s Science Program was named The Negaunee Institute for Plant Conservation Science and Action, following a $10 million gift.
Daniel I. Dorfman is a freelance reporter with Pioneer Press.
