The Riverside County Board of Supervisors honored The Annenberg Retreat at Sunnylands with a proclamation on August 5, calling Sunnylands a “treasure” and “remarkable gift to the nation.” Janice Lyle, director of Sunnylands Center & Gardens accepted the honor on behalf of Sunnylands President Geoffrey Cowan (2010-2016), and the Sunnylands staff and Board of Trustees in a ceremony organized by Supervisor John Benoit.
“Those of us who work at Sunnylands are constantly challenged by the Annenbergs’ very high aspirations,” Lyle said. “We are here to bring together people who have the power and ability to make changes in our world – positive changes.” Lyle added, “We also offer public programs that relate to midcentury modern architecture, art, interior design, golf, and sustainability issues.”

Supervisor Benoit read the commendation, which “encourage[s] residents to visit this true treasure of the Coachella Valley in Riverside County,” adding, “Congratulations on turning [Sunnylands] into a world famous and very productive center for the advancement of peace.”

Also attending the ceremony were Eric Ornelas, communications and public affairs assistant and Geoffrey Baum, director of communications and public affairs, who gave each member of the Board of Supervisors a commemorative pin from the meeting between President Barack Obama and His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan.

“We are honored to be partners with the County of Riverside,” Baum said. “We could not entertain or host presidential visits were it not with the help of the County.”