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New Director Charts Klehm’s Future By Peggy Werner
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s the executive director of Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden, Alex Mills wants to care for the plants, shrubs and trees around him, but he also wants to plant seeds in the minds of visitors, young and old, to grow their appreciation for nature and what Klehm holds in store for them. Mills, 32, holds a B.S. in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences from the University of Illinois and is an International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist. He most recently served as Neighborhood Services Manager and Community Development Director for the city of Freeport. Last summer he stepped into the position previously held by Dan Riggs, who retired in midJune after almost six years at the helm of the 33-year-old organization. “I really feel I’ve spent my entire
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Smart Living Weekly
career preparing for this position,” Mills says. “Everything seems to have led me here. I feel ready and able to help take Klehm to the next level of awareness and bring even more people here to visit. “I’d like to see more feet on the ground, day in and day out. Volunteers and others have worked so hard to make Klehm what it is today. I want to see more people here for visits and programs, returning again and again, becoming members and volunteers, realizing what a terrific resource and treasure the arboretum is for the community.” he says. First on his agenda has been the completion of the large water feature at the Nancy Olson Children’s Garden, which will be celebrated with a grand re-opening this spring. Mills has also helped Klehm to secure several grants to help continue growth and improvement, expanding the
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unique collection of trees and plants while also extending outreach to the community. One grant will support engaging volunteers and planting a large Alexander Mills number of trees on the property this upcoming Arbor Day, while another grant awarded by the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois will help Klehm improve its engagement with the Latino community. Whether people want to get away from it all and have a quiet walk among the trees or need to plan a large celebration in recognition of a milestone, Klehm is a great option, he says. Mills also intends for there to be a strong focus on programming in 2019 and beyond, with more classes and educational
