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| Photo Credit: Photo courtesy of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center |
| Lady Bird Johnson, born Claudia Alta Taylor, used her influence as First Lady to promote the restoration of natural landscapes. |
When you think of Lady Bird Johnson, what comes to mind? For many it’s her service as America’s First Lady. But her legacy is really her love of plants and beauty. Her recent death reminds plant lovers and gardeners nationwide of how much we’re in her debt for recognizing the importance of restoring and sustaining the botanical resources of our country.
Ironically, Lady Bird didn’t care for the term “beautify.” She thought it implied something frivolously decorative – and her vision was much greater than mere beautification. She wanted to rescue the natural landscape of America that was fading away before her eyes. She endured the slogan “Beautify America” just to promote the planting of wildflowers, as well the restoration of natural landscapes and botanical diversity from coast to coast and border to border. Lady Bird also knew the importance of reviving America’s decayed urban areas by replacing eyesores with native gardens, giving city folks a sense of pride, hope and ownership in their neighborhoods. I was lucky enough to grow up in Texas when the Highway Beautification Act of 1965 became law. The legislation, promoted by her husband President Lyndon Johnson, was Lady Bird’s brainchild. Not only did it call for controls over billboards and such, but it also mandated that ugly sights along interstates – like junkyards – had to be removed or screened. So no matter how old you are, if you’ve gone on a road trip, you’ve seen the law in action. Thanks to Lady Bird, traveling along America’s highways and byways is simply much less cluttered and much more beautiful.
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