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Delaware Botanic Gardens adds Advisory Council members

March 27, 2019

Raymond J. Sander, president of Delaware Botanic Gardens, and DBG Advisory Council Chair Carla Markell announced that two new key members have joined the gardens’ advisory council - Mark Carter and Lillian Harrison.

Markell said, “For a public initiative like the Delaware Botanic Gardens to be truly successful, we must become a resource which encompasses the wide range of interests of our Delmarva community. Mark Carter and Lilian Harrison, as respected community leaders, bring their unique perspectives and networks to DBG at this key time as we prepare to Open the Garden Gates to the public.”

Sander said, “Mark and Lillian are models of giving back. Their commitment and lives are dedicated to improving the quality of life throughout the Delmarva community. Their membership on the DBG Advisory Council will add to our ability to network and connect this garden to the many public interests we need to serve.”

Sheryl Swed, DBG executive director, said, “The Advisory Council continues to be an important source of excellence and leadership for DBG. As we strive toward our grand opening, the energy and enthusiasm of these two great professionals will accelerate our momentum, and augment our knowledge and experience base.”

Carter is part of the innovative and creative team that Sam and Mariah Calagione have built at their award-winning brewery. Not only has Dogfish Head become one of the U.S. top 20 craft breweries, its team has also generously donated to and volunteered with more than 150 nonprofits.

As Dogfish Head’s director of Beer and Benevolence, Carter has been instrumental in the funding of DBG’s outdoor living classroom. This feature includes a constructed wetland and reconstructed inland dunes, which mark the center for DBG’s educational mission.

Swed said, “DBG is proud to be working with Dogfish Head and for this great company to have the first naming rights at our garden, the Dogfish Head Learning Garden.”

Carter said, “Thanks for asking me to be a part of this amazing project.” A native Delawarean, Carter graduated from the Virginia Military Institute and is a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps. He lives in Milton with his partner Sara and their children.

Harrison said, “I am honored and excited to have this opportunity to give back to our community by serving on the DBG Advisory Council.”

She is a recognized community leader with skills in business, economics and community development. She brings to the council her entrepreneurial experience as well as her work in nonprofit management, public relations, marketing, branding and personnel management. Harrison is president/executive director of the Elevated Community Development Corp. in Georgetown. Her firm provides job skills training, workforce development programs and job readiness counseling for people striving to realize their full human and economic potential. She is also the housing director for Delaware Community Reinvestment Action Council, and is a member of the Sussex Economic Development Action Committee.

Harrison was awarded her certificate in Community and Economic Development from the University of Delaware, School of Urban Affairs and Public Policy. She also studied computer information systems at Delaware Technical Community College. Harrison lives in Millsboro with her husband James.

The mission of the Delaware Botanic Gardens is to create an inspirational, educational and sustainable public garden in Delaware for the benefit and enjoyment of all.

For more information, go to www.delawaregardens.org.

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