Wildflower Center Encourages Cultivation of Native Plants at Home

As an independent developer in Austin, TX, Gary Bradley has been involved in numerous community initiatives. He has donated land to build Riverbend Church, helped to create Trinity Episcopal School, and played a key role in constructing the MoPac expressway. Among Gary Bradley’s contributions, he purchased the Austin, TX, property that became Circle C, home of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

The Wildflower Center was set up by former first lady Lady Bird Johnson in 1982, together with actress Helen Hayes, in order to promote awareness of and provide conservation for the beautiful native plants that are at risk of extinction in the United States.

Native wildflowers are not only beautiful but also play an important role in local ecology. These plants protect the soil, contribute to water conservation, and provide habitats for local wildlife. Urban development increasingly threatens these important plants, and this can have major environmental impacts over time.

Residents can, however, cultivate backyard gardens in such a way that promotes the growth of these naturally occurring plants. The Wildflower Center provides information to help determine which native species would be best cultivated where you live. Promoting the growth of these natural plant species not only helps to protect your local natural environment but also contributes to water conservation, reduces weeds in your garden, and cuts down on mowing costs. To learn more, visit www.wildflower.org.

Grey Rock Golf Club Offers a Sporting Paradise

In the early 1980s, Austin, TX, real estate developer Gary Bradley began work on what would become one of his most notable projects--Circle C Ranch, just southwest of the city. The community has since become a luxurious place for discerning Texans to make their homes. Gary Bradley’s vision of a master-planned community that offers access to the best-available public schools and amenities also is directly adjacent to Grey Rock Golf Club, one of the state’s best courses.

Grey Rock operates an 18-hole course set among the green hill country of southwest Austin.

The late Jay Morrish, a past president of the American Society of Golf Club Architects and himself a world-renowned designer, served as the course architect for Grey Rock. His course winds through stands of majestic oak trees, nature-focused backdrop for a game. The trees are, however, more than just scenery. They also provide a number of intricate challenges to even the most seasoned golfers.

A par 4, the first hole offers the first challenge. Its position steers players between trees and water, with a high bank and substantial bunkers. The fifth hole offers a similar terrain, with the bunkers presenting the main obstacle. The fifth hole’s dogleg left and uneven surfaces offer further chances to prove one’s skill and agility. And the whole back nine is filled with doglegs, with the final hole--a par 4--providing particular challenges for long hitters.

Widespread Support for Legal Advocacy for Children

Among his many other notable charitable endeavors, Austin, TX, real estate executive Gary Bradley has contributed to the cause of child welfare in his state. In conjunction with his Austin-area projects, he established the first developer-funded early childhood facility in a suburban community. In addition, Gary Bradley collaborated with his local district attorney’s office to pioneer in the creation of a child protection center. Such centers and other advocacy organizations are now commonly found working closely with district attorney’s offices across the nation.

The legal profession’s commitment to child protection is well exemplified in the work of child advocate attorneys. Family courts frequently appoint these professionals to represent the interests of minor children in a number of proceedings, including those involving neglect or abuse. Child advocate attorneys also step in to support children’s interests in cases of divorce, termination of parental rights, and situations in which a child or teen is accused of criminal acts and brought before a juvenile court.

The National Association of Counsel for Children provides official certification for these attorneys. To obtain such credentials, an attorney must have amassed a substantial amount of hours working on behalf of children, in addition to mastering at least 36 hours of continuing education in that category.

Wildflower Center Celebrates Lady Bird Day

Gary Bradley’s notable contributions to charitable organizations include his support for the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, located at the eastern border of Circle C Ranch in Austin, TX, the development on which he began construction in the early 1980s. The center, thanks to the generosity of contributors like Gary Bradley, has successfully called public attention to the necessity of conserving the beauty and research potential of the nation’s native plants for more than two decades.

The former First Lady worked with Oscar-winning actress Helen Hayes to start the center in 1982. Since then, its educational programs, its focus on preserving biodiversity, and its support for in-depth research have garnered it praise as a leading organization in its field.

Toward the end of July 2016, the center scheduled a special event to honor its cofounder. At Lady Bird Day, participants were invited to celebrate Mrs. Johnson’s legacy of stewardship that is set to long outlast her 2007 death.

The organizers of Lady Bird Day also offered information about the First Lady’s significant contributions to environmental legislation. The approximately 200 environmentally focused laws enacted during the tenure of Pres. Lyndon Baines Johnson in the mid-1960s included the Highway Beautification Act, whose major provisions remain in force.

The more light-hearted activities planned for Lady Bird Day included floral-themed crafts, a story program, and a creative writing component geared to participants of all ages.