Florida Cornellians connect

What do 30-foot-tall bamboo sculptures of birds, the Cornell Botanic Gardens, and two Florida Cornell Clubs have in common? The answers include:

• a shared love of nature,
• a commitment to the conservation of species, and
• a desire to foster Big Red connections.

These motivations brought members of two Florida Cornell Clubs together in February at two of the state’s most renowned gardens. The Cornell Club of Eastern Florida gathered at McKee Botanical Gardens in Vero Beach on February 2, and the Cornell Club of Greater Miami and the Florida Keys gathered at Pinecrest Gardens in Miami on February 3.

Cornell’s associate director of U.S. Regional Engagement, R.J. Lavine, helped coordinate these events to immerse Florida Cornellians in art, culture, and horticulture—in their own backyards. Alumni and friends gathered beneath monumental avian sculptures co-created by artist Andy Moerlein MFA ’82, who shared the backstory for each piece.

After their garden stroll, alumni heard from Emily Detrick MPS ’16, Elizabeth Weaver Director of Horticulture at Cornell Botanic Gardens. Emily shared how Cornell Botanic Gardens is helping to conserve species, foster understanding of the natural world, and educate the next generation of leaders in conservation through its educational programs.