Sad news to report this morning: Former First Lady Lady Bird Johnson, Honorary ASLA, died yesterday in her Austin, Texas, home. She was 94. First Lady Johnson was a tireless advocate for preserving the environment and native plant species. Many today are praising her work on the Keep America Beautiful highway projects she spearheaded in the 1960s. Others are pointing to The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, which she founded in 1982, as “a wonderful model” for what botanic gardens should be. The Wildflower Center has partnered with ASLA on the Sustainable Sites Initiative. Visit the Wildflower Center’s tribute site to learn more about her life and work.
[Update 07/19/07: The Washington Post has a nice article (and mention of ASLA and the Sites Initiative) in the "Lady Bird Looked Beyond Beautification to Preservation" piece in today's issue.]
