Mark Mortenson, President and CEO of Botanical Gardens, Dies

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – Mark Mortenson, the president and CEO of the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens, has died, the Botanical Gardens announced Sunday.

“Mark was a visionary leader who embodied the spirit of our ‘Wow, Wonder, Welcome’ philosophy and enriched the experience of every guest who visited our gardens,” the Botanic Gardens said in a statement. “His warmth, generosity and dedication had a lasting impact on all who had the privilege of knowing him.”

Mortensen became president and CEO of the Botanical Gardens in February 2022. He previously served as executive director of the Richardson Center Corporation and, before that, was president and CEO of the Buffalo Museum of Science.

The Botanical Gardens are closed on Monday and Tuesday and the Botanical Bash on September 20 has been cancelled.