Friends of the Hannah Carter Japanese Garden

Friends of the Hannah Carter Japanese Garden. The organization is a nonprofit advocacy group dedicated to the preservation and public appreciation of the Hannah Carter Japanese Garden in Bel Air, Los Angeles. Formed in 2011 in response to the University of California, Los Angeles's decision to sell the garden, the group has engaged in extensive legal, fundraising, and public awareness campaigns. Its mission centers on protecting the garden's artistic and horticultural integrity as a significant cultural resource for Southern California.

History and formation

The group was established in 2011 following the controversial announcement by the University of California, Los Angeles that it intended to sell the Hannah Carter Japanese Garden. This decision by the UC Board of Regents sparked immediate concern among preservationists, garden enthusiasts, and the family of the original donor. Founding members included landscape historians, community activists, and relatives of Hannah Locke Carter, for whom the garden is named. The formation was a direct reaction to perceived threats to the garden's future, aligning with broader preservation efforts for historic landscapes in California. Early efforts involved mobilizing support from entities like the California Garden & Landscape History Society and seeking intervention from the California Attorney General.

Mission and activities

The core mission is the permanent preservation, restoration, and public access to the Hannah Carter Japanese Garden as a living work of art. Primary activities include legal advocacy, public education, and fundraising for garden maintenance and potential acquisition. The group has worked to have the garden designated as a significant cultural landscape, citing its design by renowned landscape architect Nagao Sakurai and its embodiment of Japanese garden principles. It organizes lectures, tours for members, and collaborative events with institutions like the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center to promote understanding of Japanese garden aesthetics. A key ongoing activity is monitoring compliance with the original 1964 gift agreement between UCLA and the Carter family.

Relationship with UCLA and the garden

The relationship with the University of California, Los Angeles has been predominantly adversarial and litigious since the group's inception. The central conflict stems from UCLA's 2011 decision to deaccession the property, which the group argues violates the conditions of the original gift from Edward W. Carter and Hannah Locke Carter. This has resulted in multiple lawsuits filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court and appeals to the California Court of Appeal. The group positions itself as the guardian of the donor's intent, often contrasting UCLA's actions with the stewardship of other cultural institutions like the Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens. Despite the conflict, the organization's efforts have kept the garden's plight in the public eye, involving coverage by the Los Angeles Times and support from figures like Los Angeles City Council members.

Key events and fundraising

A pivotal event was the 2012 preliminary injunction granted by a Los Angeles judge, temporarily blocking UCLA's sale of the garden. The group has organized significant fundraising campaigns, including "Save the Garden" initiatives that have garnered support from across the United States and Japan. These efforts have financed ongoing legal battles and commissioned independent assessments of the garden's condition and value. The organization has also hosted benefit events at venues such as the Pacific Asia Museum in Pasadena. A major ongoing campaign seeks to raise capital for a potential future endowment to ensure the garden's long-term care, drawing parallels to preservation successes at places like Filoli in Woodside.

Leadership and organization

The organization is governed by a board of directors comprising preservation experts, attorneys, and community leaders. The honorary chair is Robert W. G. "Nick" Carter, son of the original donors, who has been a prominent public advocate. Legal strategy has often been guided by specialists in California nonprofit and property law. The group operates as a 501(c)(3) charitable entity, relying on member donations and grants. It maintains alliances with other preservation bodies, including the Los Angeles Conservancy and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Operational activities are managed by a core group of volunteers and a small professional staff, coordinating with a network of experts in Japanese garden conservation and landscape architecture.

Category:Organizations based in Los Angeles Category:Japanese gardens in the United States Category:Non-profit organizations established in 2011