A retiring director reflects on what makes the New Hanover County Arboretum great
Star News Online
I’m retiring as director of NC Cooperative Extension – New Hanover County Center and Arboretum on April 1, 2025. No fooling!
It’s been quite a wonderful job serving our area residents with a team of great folks delivering quality educational programs, services, information, and beautiful Arboretum gardens. Maintained by Kevin, Jamie, Joey, Madelyn, and dozens of Extension Master Gardener volunteers, our gardens are free and open daily, featuring themed garden areas showcasing plants well suited to our unique coastal environment. Visit and learn, where knowledge and nature grow.
Our good work continues beyond the Arboretum as we are much more than just a beautiful garden. Morgan, our Family and Consumer Science agent, is assisted by intern Bella to bring food and nutrition classes to learners of all ages, including the popular “Med instead of Meds” healthy diet program for senior citizens.
Alex as our 4-H/Youth Development Agent brings education to New Hanover County children with programs such as embryology (eggs become baby chickens!) into second grade classrooms.
Our therapeutic horticulture agent Heather and assistant Kadence provide sessions to underserved adult and youth populations, offering the healing touch of nature to those in need.
Miles supports our area residents with Horticulture expertise, overseeing our free plant clinic open weekdays from 10 a.m.– 4 p.m., staffed by Extension Master Gardeners experts. Consumer Horticulture agent Gabriella serves our gardening community and EMGs with a myriad of workshops and training. Together with dedicated Extension Master Gardeners volunteers, Miles and Gabriella manage the popular “Nature at Home” program.
Matt serves a larger tri-county audience as Natural Resources agent, leading the long-standing task force envisioning a nature park for Eagles Island as well as programming to educate on stormwater management.
Amber is a trained stormwater engineer researching and implementing innovations for this growing water problem.
Our administrative support staff works well together to keep this busy place functioning efficiently! Wendy knows the “who, what, why, where and how” of everything going on and handles the calendar and lobby traffic. Angie expertly assists with pesticide training and the community development aspects of all programs, events and volunteer management. Megan consolidates our diverse efforts and adeptly tells the story of our good work through social media and conventional media channels. Roben has been my right hand for these six plus years and knows how to do everything.
Our good work is supported by three nonprofit organizations: The Friends of the New Hanover County Arboretum, the New Hanover County Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Association, and the Ability Garden.
It would be bittersweet to leave the job if it weren’t for the exceedingly capable hands of the entire team – staff, volunteers and organizations. I have truly grown to love this community and thanks for your continued support. Visit us soon – gardens open most days from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. at 6206 Oleander Drive in Wilmington.
