GIVING TUESDAY is 11/28 - Please support public gardens! / Grounds are open daily 9 AM - 4 PM.
The cultural and political legacy of Thomas Jefferson is complicated, just as the man himself was. The man who wrote that "all men are created equal" kept other human beings as slaves. The man who kept slaves also wrote "The whole commerce between master and slave is a perpetual exercise of the most boisterous passions, the most unremitting despotism on the one part, and degrading submissions on the other. Our children see this, and learn to imitate it." The man eventually elected to lead the...
One of the reasons I love public horticulture is the opportunity for new experiences. This past Saturday afforded me just that. We had a booking for a private tour for a group with visual impairments. I did my best to prepare for this unusual engagement, but in the end I was left surprised and pleased while wholly out of my depth. They taught me that bright colors are best. To say "look at your 12 o'clock" instead of "look ahead" .
Little I’ve done here makes me prouder than our wonderful new job readiness pilot program partnering with Bridges Outreach. This program is to help foster employment for those of our friends who are experiencing homelessness. Our dedicated horticulture and facilities staff work hand in hand with a vetted Bridges candidate to offer basic gardening and facilities skills at the Arboretum, with job interviews and possible placement as the ultimate goal.
We’ve lucked out with our fi...