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.
