The Chicago Botanic Garden has announced that President and CEO Barbara Whitney Carr will retire September 1, 2007. "Barbara's twelve years with the Chicago Botanic Garden are marked by unparalleled growth. She has continually enhanced its standing as one of the major public gardens in the United States and a Chicago treasure," Said William J. Hagenah Chairman of the Board.

"It has been an honor to serve the Chicago Botanic Garden for the past 12 years," Carr said. "The energy and breadth of this institution, and the people who work tirelessly to make this the best garden in the country, are second to none," she said.

"As I reflect on my time with the Garden, I know that our strength lies in the creation of a compelling visitor destination, which offers research, education and community programming of great breadth and depth to people throughout Chicago," Carr said. "The dedication of the Joseph Regenstein, Jr. School of the Chicago Botanic Garden honors the Garden's commitment to become the finest teaching Garden in the nation and its plant science and research programs support global conservation efforts which are central to the survival of our plants and planet."

Carr led a 10-year master plan and launched a $100 million capital campaign that saw 15,000 donors contribute a total of $148 million. The plan called for 30 acres of new garden developments, the restoration of nearly six miles of shoreline, the construction of a 1.5-mile Garden Wall and a new Children's Learning Center at the Garden.