Shangri La Welcomes New Executive Director

Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center is proud to announce Angela “Angie” Mason, as the new Executive Director. Angie comes to us from Chicago Botanic Garden where she was employed for the past 19 years. Angie most recently served as the Associate VP of Community Engagement and Senior Director of Windy City Harvest where she oversaw all facets of engagement with the community and directed the operations of Windy City Harvest, an urban agriculture education and job training program, with 200 participants and a $3.8M budget. Angie has been recognized with multiple awards and accolades, including the North Lawndale Spirit of Youth Development Award and the Illinois Governor’s Environmental Hero Award. Angie is a graduate of Southern Illinois University Carbondale, where she earned a B.S. in Plant and Soil Science, and an M.S. in Plant, Soil and General Agriculture. During Angie’s early career she served as Adjunct Faculty in Horticulture, at the Harold Washington College in Chicago, Illinois. Angie is known by colleagues as an outstanding and visionary leader, strategic thinker, collaborator, staff manager, and a national and international expert on urban agriculture. The Nelda C. and H.J. Lutcher Stark Foundation is most fortunate to have her join our multi-faceted leadership team bringing vision and the right combination of competencies to nurture and strengthen Shangri La Gardens, a world-class nature center and living museum rich in educational opportunities.

About Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center Shangri La is a 250+ acre space in Orange, Texas, along the waterways of Adams Bayou that combines botanical gardens and an educational nature center in a unique way. Imagine a place where you can escape the routine and stroll along garden paths surrounded by fragrant flowers. Birdwatch for hours and spend time with friends and family. Shangri La is a program of the Nelda C. and H.J. Lutcher Stark Foundation, a private operating foundation that aims to encourage and assist education and to improve and enrich the quality of life in Southeast Texas by providing significant resources for the study and enjoyment of art, history, nature, and culture. Located at 2111 West Park Avenue in Orange, Texas, Shangri La Gardens is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday FREE of charge from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Timed tickets may be recommended or required for certain events. For more information call 409-670-9113 or visit http://www.ShangriLaGardens.org.