Read Sophia’s letter on the opening of the Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Plant Conservation Science Center, the new home of the Garden’s initiative to save the planet by saving plants.







Family Summer Send-off and Old Fashioned Ice Cream Social

Sunday, September 13
1:30 to 4 p.m., Rose Garden

The second annual President's Circle Family Summer Send-off and Ice Cream Social will feature a scavenger hunt through favorite gardens and, of course, ice cream! To reserve last-minute tickets for this event, please call (847) 835-6925 no later than Friday, September 11.

Dr. Stephen Hopper Lecture
and Dinner

Thursday, October 8
6 to 7 p.m., Public Lecture: "Plant-based solutions for a changing world: the role of Botanic Gardens"
7 to 9 p.m., President's Circle Dinner with Dr. Hopper

Welcome Dr. Stephen Hopper, director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, as he visits the Chicago Botanic Garden during Kew's 250th anniversary. Dr. Hopper, a plant conservation biologist, will compare and contrast conservation issues across the globe, discuss the important work that Kew and the Millennium Seed Bank continue to accomplish, and explain how a young garden like the Chicago Botanic Garden adds to this global effort.

Please register in advance for the lecture and dinner. Call (847) 835-6925 for more information.




Lenhardt Library Rare Book Collection Tour and Dinner

Tuesday, November 3

Ben and Cindy Lenhardt invite President's Circle members for a more intimate look at the Garden's Rare Book Collection.

To register in advance for this event, please call the President’s Circle hotline (847) 835-6925 or look for details in next month’s e-newsletter.




View photographs from these and past President’s Circle events (the password is “circle”).

Rick Bayless’s City Garden Tour and Private Dinner at Topolobampo

On August 27, President’s Circle members shared an intimate and unforgettable evening, touring Rick Bayless’s home garden and enjoying a private dinner at Frontera Grill. Special thanks to Rick Bayless for being such a generous and gracious host and treating everyone to a fabulous cooking demonstration, and to Donna LaPietra and Bill Kurtis, whose coordination and passion helped to make this an evening to remember.




Grand Opening Weekend of the New Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Plant Conservation Science Center

Saturday and Sunday,
September 26 and 27

Opening activities and interpretative programs, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.




Every day, it is an honor and privilege to serve the Chicago Botanic Garden and I am so grateful for your support. You help us bring joy to people’s lives and help to save the planet by saving plants. Please know I would love to hear from you at any time. Thank you so very much.


Sophia Siskel
President & CEO
Chicago Botanic Garden