A $2 million gift recently received by Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies will support the transformation of its Millbrook, Dutchess County, NY headquarters.
A two-year capital campaign was launched in 2020 to raise funds to re-imagine the headquarters. Staff at the Cary Institute are experts in the ecology of cities, freshwaters, forests, infectious diseases, and the impact of climate change on ecological systems. The gift will allow Cary Institute to surpass its original public fundraising goal.
The original 1975 building, designed by architect Malcolm Wells for the New York Botanical Garden, was one of the nation’s first commercial solar buildings. Cary Institute took ownership in 1983. Becker + Becker restored its sawtooth roofline, and have achieved energy efficiency and sustainability goals. Recycled and repurposed materials feature in the redesign, and 100% of the building’s electric needs will be met by an adjacent 700kW solar field.
The $2 million gift came from Zibby and Jim Tozer, longtime supporters of Cary Institute. In recognition of their longtime support and generosity, Cary Institute will be naming the renovated headquarters the Tozer Ecosystem Science Building. An open house celebration is planned for April 8th, 2022.
Architects Becker + Becker are leading the renovations with oversight from Emeritus Cary Trustee and architect Allan Shope.
The Campaign for Cary is ongoing through spring of 2022, and is committed to raising an additional $680,000 to complete all aspects of the $14 million project, which is funded in part by Institute resources. The new building will include additional science offices, dedicated space for visiting scientists and postdocs, and conference rooms outfitted with the technology to support virtual and hybrid networking.
For more information about the Cary Institute, visit their website.
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