Plants of Costa Rica. Beehive cubby. Chocolate tree and Eastern Box Turtle. Like tropical banana plants that now reach the greenhouse ceiling, Dr. Joe and Alice Lynard Orchid Greenhouse Growing up.
tape cut
June 17 was standing room only at the new Environmental Education Center, which is connected to the original Lynnard Orchid Greenhouse by a renovated and extended vestibule.
15 minutes before the ceremony started, every seat was filled and a line began to form.by the time Dr. Maureen McCarthy,Dean Faculty of Humanitiesgave the opening remarks, the crowd left the room and flooded the forecourt.
Overall, more than 250 people gathered to witness the ribbon cutting of the expanded Dr. Joe and Alice Lynnard Orchid Greenhouse and Center for Environmental Education.
The new name reflects the growth of the eight-year-old facility with a tropical conservatory that has doubled in size, a remodeled entrance, and a new Environmental Education Center for educational programs. Ball State Field Station and Environmental Education Center (FSEEC) provide to the public.
Dr. Lynnard and Dr. Cheryl LeBlanc
An expanded conservatory immerses guests in a simulated rainforest. As guests enter, they are ushered down a one-way, winding path lined with edible tropical plants and replicas of tropical wildlife. For example leaf-cutting ants, painted tropical butterflies, toucans and brand new ocelots. Artwork was created by Ball State University students and employees as well as commissioned by local artists.
Everything in the conservatory has simple black-and-white labels showing the plant’s name and genus, providing guests with a starting point for their research or as one of the greenhouse’s many informative guides. For example, one of the most impressive plants in the expanded conservatory is the Staghorn Fern (Platycerium spp.), an epiphytic fern about the size of an overblown beach ball, all with large sterile brown-green leaves that grip the growing surface and fertile green leaves shaped like antler protrudes on the side of the
Instead of searching the internet, just ask one of our guides a quick question, and this Staghorn Fern is about 28 years old, continuously producing new sterile leaves that wrap around the previous layer of browned leaves, Let your guests know that it will eventually decompose inside and become fertilizer. A large spherical structure in a plant.
The Legacy of Dr. Joe and Alice Lynnard
The expanded Dr. Lynnard Orchid Conservatory and Environmental Education Center was funded by a donation from Dr. Joe Lynnard. American Power Foundation; Muncie and Delaware County Community Foundations; Ball State University faculty, staff and students. Friends of the orchid greenhouse. and many community members. This expansion will facilitate public accessibility and learning opportunities for all that the Rinard Orchid Greenhouse and Ball State Field Station has to offer.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony was special for all donors and supporters, but one of Orchid Greenhouse’s most dedicated donors, Dr. Joe Lynnard, celebrated his 92nd birthday just days before the event. .
Dr. Lynnard made his first major donation in 2014 to build the Orchid Greenhouse in memory of his wife Alice (’54 MA ’63). Alice Rinard loved nature and all things beautiful. Dr. Rinard’s continued support of her Orchid Greenhouse is a tribute to her passion.
Chairman Means and Dr. Lynnard
In his comments before the ribbon cutting, the president of Ball State University said, Jeffrey S. Means said. Lynard, through your professional successes, your philanthropic endeavors, and your passionate support of your and Alice’s namesake conservatories, tell the story of County Ball with the passion and pride our stories deserve. I can. “
For outstanding contributions to the educational efforts of Ball State Field Stations and the Center for Environmental Education, President Maynes awarded Dr. Lynnard one of the university’s highest honors, the Presidential Medal of Honor. Awarded by the president of a university to individuals who have made significant and unselfish contributions to the development of the university, community, state, or nation.
“Dr. Lynnard’s legacy lives on in his commitment to building this outstanding greenhouse and providing more educational opportunities for students and members of the community.”
expanded Dr. Joe and Alice Rinard Orchid Greenhouse and Environmental Education Center Monday to Friday 10am to 4:30pm, Saturday 10am to 3pm
