Brad Wilson Memorial
Donation protected
Brad Wilson was a sage. If you met Brad, he either challenged or inspired you. If you were lucky enough to get to really know him, it was a constant balance of the two. Brad was a lover of orchids and took great care in being a cultivator and temporary caregiver to many species that he knew were far older than he and would far outlive any of us currently dwelling on this planet. Brad appreciated every moment he spent with his feet on the ground and was keenly aware of the limited time we all have. Brad took no moment for granted. And, he knew of nothing more poetic than the orchid to explain the delicate beauty of our time here; except for maybe the Robert Hunter lyric: "those seeds that were silent all burst into bloom and decay."
The Brad Wilson Orchid Internship Program honors the memory and legacy of the late Brad Wilson with the hopes of inspiring high school students with a love of plants, the environment and the inspiration it brings. This 6-week paid summer internship program begs June 21 and goes through July 30. Interns will have the opportunity to assist Fairchild’s orchid scientists with research, propagation and restoration of native, endangered orchids as part of the Million Orchid Project. We have raised the funds for Year One of these unique scholarship opportunities, but are setting up a sustaining charity goal to make sure that these scholarships continue as an ongoing reminder of Brad and a continuing support of Fairchild Gardens and the important work of the Million Orchid Project.
We are also raising funds for a memorial bench at Fairchild Gardens for those that want to visit the grounds and stop for a moment; think about Brad, discover the wonders of nature or contemplate the bounty and magnitude of the universe at large.
Annual funds of $2,000.00 are required to maintain the current scholarship.
Estimated cost for an honorary bench at Fairchild Gardens is $7,000.00.
Our goal is to raise $10,000.00 to cover the 2022 scholarship, the bench and start the 2023 funding for the next scholarship. As funds are raised we can set our goals on other ways to honor Brad, but $10,000.00 felt like an achievable goal knowing that many have already sent in private donations to fund both the scholarship for 2021, which is fully funded now, as well as to start collecting for the honorary bench.
For those interested in the internship with Fairchild Gardens -
Applicants must be at least 16 years of age at the start of the internship. 2021 applications were due by Wednesday, April 28 by 5:00 pm and have been awarded for the Summer of 2021. more information can be found here: https://fairchildgarden.org/science-and-education/learn/the-fairchild-challenge/high-school/high-school-grants-additional-opportunities/
As Brad's honorary brother in all things earthly, and with the assistance of our mutual brother and science educator, Tom Gilfoy, I will be managing the relationship with Fairchild Gardens and all tributaries. I will continue to work closely with the Wilson Family to make sure their wishes and interests are top of mind in building loving totems in memory of Brad Wilson -- artist, philosopher, drummer, wizard, the original brain beat, lover of nature and eternal watchman of orchids.
The Brad Wilson Orchid Internship Program honors the memory and legacy of the late Brad Wilson with the hopes of inspiring high school students with a love of plants, the environment and the inspiration it brings. This 6-week paid summer internship program begs June 21 and goes through July 30. Interns will have the opportunity to assist Fairchild’s orchid scientists with research, propagation and restoration of native, endangered orchids as part of the Million Orchid Project. We have raised the funds for Year One of these unique scholarship opportunities, but are setting up a sustaining charity goal to make sure that these scholarships continue as an ongoing reminder of Brad and a continuing support of Fairchild Gardens and the important work of the Million Orchid Project.
We are also raising funds for a memorial bench at Fairchild Gardens for those that want to visit the grounds and stop for a moment; think about Brad, discover the wonders of nature or contemplate the bounty and magnitude of the universe at large.
Annual funds of $2,000.00 are required to maintain the current scholarship.
Estimated cost for an honorary bench at Fairchild Gardens is $7,000.00.
Our goal is to raise $10,000.00 to cover the 2022 scholarship, the bench and start the 2023 funding for the next scholarship. As funds are raised we can set our goals on other ways to honor Brad, but $10,000.00 felt like an achievable goal knowing that many have already sent in private donations to fund both the scholarship for 2021, which is fully funded now, as well as to start collecting for the honorary bench.
For those interested in the internship with Fairchild Gardens -
Applicants must be at least 16 years of age at the start of the internship. 2021 applications were due by Wednesday, April 28 by 5:00 pm and have been awarded for the Summer of 2021. more information can be found here: https://fairchildgarden.org/science-and-education/learn/the-fairchild-challenge/high-school/high-school-grants-additional-opportunities/
As Brad's honorary brother in all things earthly, and with the assistance of our mutual brother and science educator, Tom Gilfoy, I will be managing the relationship with Fairchild Gardens and all tributaries. I will continue to work closely with the Wilson Family to make sure their wishes and interests are top of mind in building loving totems in memory of Brad Wilson -- artist, philosopher, drummer, wizard, the original brain beat, lover of nature and eternal watchman of orchids.
Organizer
Gary Memi
Organizer
Merrick, NY