Audacity

While in the Native Flora Garden the other day, I was surprised to find this, part of a series of stylish new informational panels:Actually, the BBG terminated its science staff last August, the final act of a long-term whittling away of the whole unprofitable notion of research at the institution that began with the new administration of Scot Medbury in 2005 (note the inclusion of “science” in this presser; those were the days; since then the Garden’s leadership has quietly watered down its robust mission statement into branding blather). There are no more “BBG scientists,” so it follows that none are doing any research on the plants of NY and NJ watersheds. Luckily, we don’t have to depend on these now non-existent scientists to help protect our still-vital watersheds. Making things even more egregious, one of those canned last year was Paul Harwood, who is the gentleman pictured.

The BBG doesn’t like criticism: I’m blocked from commenting on their Facebook page. I laughed when this happened last year, since it seemed at once both so petty and authoritarian, but this blatant lie really takes the prize. It shows how deeply entrenched the corporate mentality is at the Garden, which was founded as a public service on public land.

As always, my sympathy and empathy goes to those struggling within the Garden to maintain their livelihoods, dignity, and love of plants in the face of destructive managers and their propagandists (and in the face of a city population, who, through its political class, has so let them down).