The VIS welcomed Patrick MacRae, the new CEO of the Land & Garden Reserve at our Annual Meeting on Wednesday, August 13. A large crowd of more than 60 attended the talk at the Seal Harbor Fire House during which Patrick discussed various plans for the local gardens under his purview as well as maintaining the integrity of the public lands and how to manage the number of visitors. An alumnus of the distinguished Longwood Gardens Fellows Program, Patrick’s expertise in horticulture and nonprofit management has been honed over many years in positions at some of the country’s premier institutions. He joins the Preserve after overseeing tremendous growth as Doolittle Family Director of Gardens & Horticulture at the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens in Florida. He also served as Director of Public Programs and Education at The Garden Conservancy and research manager for the Cornell University Urban Horticulture Institute.