The COVID-19 pandemic hit public gardens and arboreta in a variety of ways. Many institutions had to shut down entirely. Most retained skeleton crews onsite to maintain plants, though no visitors would be able to appreciate them. Others, like the Arnold Arboretum, kept their landscapes open with limited staffing, but could provide no facilities or visitor support services. Join Jonathan Damery, editor of Arnoldia, for a national dialogue with administrative and horticultural employees about how garden work transpired from early spring through summer 2020, and how they imagine COVID-19 will impact their work as they shift into the fall and winter seasons.

Participants: 

Andrea Brunsendorf — Director of Outdoor Landscapes, Longwood Gardens Todd Forrest — Arthur Ross Vice President for Horticulture and Living Collections, The New York Botanical Garden Brian Galligan — Vice President of Horticulture, Naples Botanical Garden Ryan Gott — Associate Director of Integrated Pest Management, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens Conor Guidarelli — Arboretum Horticulturist, Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University Terry Huang — Assistant Director, Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden at UCLA Debbie Merriam — Director, Wakefield Arboretum Jim Salyards — Director of Horticulture, Filoli Historic House and Garden Kim Shearer — Tree and Shrub Breeder and Manager of New Plant Development, Morton Arboretum Kevin Williams — Horticulturist, Denver Botanic Gardens

Moderator: Jonathan Damery, Editor, Arnoldia, Arnold Arboretum

Host: Pamela Thompson, Manager of Adult Education, Arnold Arboretum