March 2, 2017

‘Conserving the Preserves Luncheon’

Top, left: Mary Heiss with Carol and Robert Okin. Top, right: Ken Schutz, Desert Botanical Garden executive director, and Anne Stupp. Bottom, left: Ardie Evans, Connie and Jim Binns, and Steve Evans

Renowned scientist and wild-nature advocate Dr. Wallace “J.” Nichols spoke at “Conserving the Preserves” a luncheon at Desert Botanical Garden on Feb. 9. Nichols’ talk, “You on Nature” focused on how experiencing and connecting with the beauty, wonder and inspiration of nature makes us happier, healthier and better at what we do. Nichols received his doctorate in Wildlife Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Arizona.

Mayor Jackie Meck, City of Buckeye, received the inaugural Desert Botanical Garden Award for Vision and Leadership in Conservation. For the last 20 years, he has worked to protect 70,000 acres of land, wildlife corridors, rivers and trails in and around Buckeye and the White Tank Mountains. The area is now Skyline Regional Park.

The well-attended first-time event benefited Central Arizona Conservation Alliance, which was launched in 2012 to ensure the recreational and ecological sustainability of the mountain parks and preserve system in the Phoenix metropolitan area.

Anne C. Stupp was the luncheon chair.

HAUTE EVENT PHOTOGRAPHY

Ian Ackerman, Mary Morgan, Anne Stupp, John Freeman and Royce Freeman

Judy and Bob Woodworth

Dr. Wallace J. Nichols; Stacie Beute, Conservation Alliance Program director; Buckeye Mayor Jackie Meck; and Kimberlie McCue, Ph.D.

Back: Michael Mendel, Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust, and Ken Schutz, Desert Botanical Garden executive director. Front: Kimberlie McCue, Ph.D., Bob Berger, Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust, and Stacie Beute.