You can thank Tina Brown for the illustrated map of the 93,000-acre Agricultural Reserve with its iconic heritage sites, farms and farm animals depicted.” The book and the map I created for the Ag Reserve are natural extensions of my early installations.”
Sugarloaf: The Mountain’ s History, Geology, and Natural Lore by her friend Melanie Choukas-Bradley. Her commitment to the Agricultural Reserve is a constant thread in her life.“ When Melanie asked me to illustrate that book, I saw it as‘ walking the talk’— helping others connect with the land, identify native plants, or learn the area’ s history,” Tina reflects.
Tina also created welcoming signs to the Ag Reserve which are just a small part of the role she has played in farmland preservation. She advocated for and helped to establish the Ag Reserve both pre and post 1980 when it came into being. And then in 1999 she began her long involvement as a volunteer with the Sugarloaf Citizen’ s Association( SCA), a civic association that works to preserve and protect the Ag Reserve’ s open space and farmland.
Tina has always participated in public policy issues and art projects that educate the public about this historic landscape.“ The rustic roads are like the arteries of the Ag Reserve,” Tina explains.“ The views I photograph from West Harris Road show different seasons and perspectives, highlighting how wildlife engages with various habitats.” She describes how these unpaved roads, bordered by hedgerows, open meadows, farms, and forests, serve as corridors that support biodiversity and provide opportunities for observation.
“ People who might not venture into parks or guided walks still see wildlife here. When they visit my studio during the Countryside Artisans Tour, they tell me how relaxed and peaceful the gardens and landscapes make them feel.” And these days, helping people reconnect with nature is a vital, healthy and important endeavor for preserving this pastoral treasure called the Ag Reserve.