The Healing Power of Nature
Research shows that time spent in nature improves health and well-being and provides many positive outcomes for child development and growth. During the COVID pandemic, the Wildflower Center witnessed firsthand the important role it plays in providing space for community members to find joy and comfort. The Center welcomed 240,000 people last year as it celebrated its 40-year anniversary.
People from around the world come every year to the Wildflower Center to explore its gardens, participate in enrichment programs, experience life events such as weddings and memorials, and more. As a conservation-focused botanic garden, we are dedicated to promoting native plants and creating a healthier environment, and we achieve our mission by creating defining experiences that connect people to the environment and improve well-being.
About Our Speaker:
Lee Clippard is the Executive Director of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Lee joined the Wildflower Center in 2014. First as director of communications and then as deputy director of communications and experience, he was responsible for all aspects of the Center’s communications, marketing and guest experience efforts, including strategic communications, media relations, website, marketing, branding, social media, publications such as Wildflower magazine, admissions, the Gift Store and the Native Plants of North America database. He was appointed executive director in February 2022.
Lee is a native plant and natural history enthusiast with a bachelor’s in biology from The University of Texas at Austin and a master’s in entomology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Prior to joining the Center, he was the senior director of communications for the College of Natural Sciences at UT Austin, where for nine years he promoted the college’s educational and research programs through its websites, publications and the media.
In his community, Lee has served as president of the Friends and Lovers of Willowbrook Reach, a neighborhood organization that works with the City of Austin to restore native habitat in a city greenbelt. FLWR’s “Grow Zone” concept was adopted by the city for other public properties. He is a current member and was also the director of Austin Samba, a large community drum and dance group focused on Brazilian Carnaval culture.
Agenda:
6:50am - Coffee & Networking
7:10am - Breakfast Buffet
7:25am - Introductions & Announcements
7:50am - Speaker Introduction
8:20am - Q&A
8:30am - Have a wonderful Wednesday!
Directions and Parking
Breakfast Fees & Policy
