Georgia Garden
Gateway to the garden
Georgia Garden is published three times per year by the State Botanical Garden of Georgia and the Friends of the Garden.
The State Botanical Garden of Georgia is a public non-profit educational organization within the Office of Public Service & Outreach at the University of Georgia.
DIRECTOR
Jennifer Cruse-Sanders
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
Susana Alvarado
Laurel Clark
Kimberly Futrell
Adam Stewart
Tina Christie
Jennifer Denson
Chris Humble
Shené Stroud
Heather Schwartz
DEVELOPMENT
Johnathon Barrett
Kathy Adams
EDUCATION
Cora Keber
Audrey Mitchell
Emory Perry
HORTICULTURE
Jason Young
Alex Ankirskiy
Emily James
Katie McCollum
Eli McKinney
Zoë Prince
Ken Duffey
Sheldon Jones
Carol Dyer McKeen
Jim Moneyhun
Brian Santos
Samantha Simmons
SCIENCE & CONSERVATION
Heather Alley
Emily Laske
Zachary Wood
Summer 2025
Jennifer Ceska
Will Rogers
Rachel Smith
VISITOR SERVICES & FACILITIES
Daun Fest
Andrea Fischer
Oliver Hirt
Adam Lowe
Noel Fortunato
Dan Hudson
Grace Moorman
Deirdre Peters
From the Director
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Georgia Plant Conservation Alliance. What started as an idea, a hopeful wish, and a master’s thesis project for the garden’s conservation coordinator has become a force for plant conservation in Georgia and beyond. GPCA has been coordinated at the State Botanical Garden for three decades in partnership with local, state and federal agencies, organizations, educational institutions and botanical gardens across Georgia. Each with the commitment to work together to identify the highest priority needs for Georgia’s imperiled plants.
Georgia is the largest state east of the Mississippi River and is one of the most diverse states for plant species, with nearly 4,000 plant species found in the mountains, Piedmont and coastal plain. However, nearly 20% of Georgia’s botanical diversity is of conservation concern. With more than 800 rare plant taxa (species or subspecies) tracked by state conservation agencies, a recent assessment led by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources for the updated 2025 State Wildlife Action Plan identified 482 plant Species of Greatest Conservation Need.
As Georgians, we should care about these assessments because intact natural habitats provide for food security, emergency preparedness, and resilience to natural disasters, such as the storms, hurricanes and wildfires that we have experienced over the past year. Studies show that rare plants, in particular, can have a disproportionate role in ecosystem function and are likely to support the most vulnerable functions, with no other species carrying similar combinations of traits in natural systems. Other studies show that even before species are lost, as they become rare, they may be present but no longer functioning in the ecosystem. In other words, every piece of the puzzle is important. Another recent assessment found that 65 taxa have gone extinct in North America since the mid-16th century, an extinction rate of 1.4 per decade. Nearly half of the plants lost were from the southeastern U.S.
Beyond the ecosystem value of plant species diversity, we know that thriving natural habitats provide daily benefits to us as humans. Documented health benefits for people who spend time in nature include increased anti-cancer proteins and decreases in blood pressure, heart rate, stress hormones, anxiety, depression, fatigue and inflammation.
Recognizing the many reasons to preserve Georgia’s precious botanical heritage, GPCA has worked since the 1990s to identify, prioritize and partner to achieve significant conservation wins for our state and beyond. GPCA has mentored and trained new conservationists who represent the next wave of experts who are leading with innovative ideas to address future challenges. GPCA has also played a key role in launching state-based plant conservation networks in more than 14 other states.
I invite you to learn more about the work of GPCA and our conservation efforts at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia. You can help us achieve our goals for preserving Georgia’s botanical heritage by learning about and supporting our programs. We offer opportunities for participating and learning throughout the year that are described in our Garden Magazine, on our website and on our social media channels. As we celebrate the 30th anniversary of GPCA, I hope you will join us to both celebrate and continue to do the vital work that started three decades ago.
References: Bratman, GN et al., (2015); Knapp, et al., (2021); Mouillot., et al., (2013); Pelletier, et al., (2018); Valiente-Banuet, et al., (2015)
Jennifer Cruse-Sanders, director
Science & Conservation
30 Years of Conservation Networking for Georgia:
Observations by an older threaded spider
Jennifer Ceska, conservation coordinator
I proudly sit as an older spider in a web of conservation partners threaded across Georgia and the U.S. It has been my honor to coordinate the Georgia Plant Conservation Alliance for 30 years, founding and holding my dream job since graduate school. I am a firm believer that networking is a powerful tool for conservation. And while leveraging resources and scientific expertise was the original goal in creating a conservation network, over the last seven years, I’ve grown to see that the support of the people who do this incredible work is perhaps a bigger part of this job. A network coordinator must have the scientific knowledge and the people skills to keep the plant species and the human minds healthy and supported.
In July 1995, seven founding member organizations of the Georgia Plant Conservation Alliance gathered to discuss the possibility of creating a partnership for plant conservation recovery actions in Georgia, bringing all knowledge and resources together. We launched the first state-based plant conservation network in the United States, and we’ve been gaining wind in our sails ever since. The journey has had its storms, with lapses in funding, staff turnover and needing to re-build partnerships. We’ve moved at a constant speed and effort to prevent imperiled plants in Georgia from going extinct on our watch. We are happy to report that while we have come close, all species are still here.
We started with six focal projects for the first 12 years of our partnership. Now, we’ve grown to 101 partner organizations working on the recovery of 111 rare and listed plant species and plant community projects. With the publication of the 2025 State Wildlife Action Plan for Georgia, we, as a network of plant conservation professionals, will receive 482 state plant species in greatest conservation need. There is so much work to do. Our work is ongoing. Our capacity has been building. And our lessons learned and stories gathered run deep.
I have become a keeper of the GPCA lore. I have stories for every occasion. And as you might imagine, dear reader, we have learned lots of good lessons, some with slaps to the forehead, some with cringes and a great many with hearty laughter.
I’ve gotten really good at our elevator speech, our “why,” our “corporate culture” and describing “how we roll.” We share our experiences with other states, consulting with 15 states on their conservation networks. And now, we are invited as the keynote to present the value of conservation networks, not just for leveraging capacity, resources and expertise but also for empowering the professionals carrying the burden of responsibility for keeping wildlife alive.
When I welcome new members to GPCA, I say our basics for how we roll is a high regard for each other; partnership in all things contributing to recovery actions of plants as best we can; keeping our work “for the plants” while lifting people up; working in service to the state, giving imperiled plants and their communities a lease on life annually; bringing quality science in our horticulture, conservation, research, management and safeguarding; offering genuine understanding for the big responsibility and full workload that conservation professionals carry and offering each other help; and holding sacred a zero take policy from the wild. There are no dues. There is a big ethics commitment. There is a lot of genuine camaraderie. We need all the skills and all the hands, all the experience, heart, willingness to try, folks showing up and all ideas to help conserve Georgia plant species in greatest conservation need. Looking forward to spending time with you.
That last sentence is the golden nugget in all of this. I represented Georgia at the Botanic Gardens Conservation International Botanical Congress in South Africa to share the secrets of conservation networking. I gathered the audience with a whispered voice and a dramatic pause, unveiling that the secret is…gathering around a table. This is what we do annually. We gather experts in all the fields that feed into plant conservation, and we look to state and federal partners and heritage field botanists who are observing declines in native plants of Georgia. We ask what is needed and how we can help. Often, projects start with a “full medical workup,” which for us means, has anyone seen this species in the wild, do we know if it can reproduce on its own, has anyone grown this species, can anyone grow it, and what is hindering its ecological success in the wild. The projects begin with teams of partners working together annually to fill in gaps in knowledge and experience for each species and to increase the numbers of each species on the land.
Here are some lessons learned that I share weekly with colleagues as I empower them to hop on this conservation trail and join us in this mountain of work.
∙ Nothing beats time together. Time spent faceto-face builds trust and partnership. Our goal is for partners to be comfortable at the level that they can pick up a phone, be vulnerable and ask someone for help.
∙ Nothing beats showing up for each other. When a rare plant habitat needs the careful extraction of woody plants so that the rare plant species can receive more light and water, we all show up to saw and swamp that woody material out of the site, bucket brigade style. All scientific disciplines show up for these work parties.
∙ Doing the hard physical work, some people call it “grunt” work, of weeding, pulling invasive plants and hauling cut woody material out of a habitat is essential work. Road trips and work parties are great ways to thread partners, garner solutions and get essential work done in the wild.
Being authentic and vulnerable and telling stories about yourself is a great way to help people feel included and able to contribute. If there is a mistake to be made, I’ve made it. And while mistakes sting, what we do next matters.
∙ Asking questions is a superpower. “I’m asking for learning” does not mean you do not understand the science. It ensures you understand what is being said, applied and implied. Aligning minds is super important. Communication takes repetition, and when we don’t know, we try something and learn by doing. This is applied conservation science with adaptive management.
∙ We need conservation champions as leaders for the recovery of all of these rare plant species. A champion is cheering loudly and often on behalf of a rare species, rallying partners to help and contribute.
∙ No one is an expert in all things conservation. So much of what we do is novel, new to science, or has not been done in Georgia with this species, in this habitat or with this seed set. We need people who are willing to try. And plants may die, but we learn and try again. If we don’t try, we risk something worse than plants dying. We risk extinction in the wild.
∙ Geeking out on plants is our favorite thing. It is wonderful to be with folks who get our “why” and our botanically nerdy jokes and excitement. We need our communities and our silly plant memes. A conservation network provides folks who share your passion for plants.
∙ “We rise by lifting others,” said Robert Ingersoll. My goal throughout my entire career has been to “slingshot” others forward, empowering others to lead and create their own good works. I can only do so much in my career, but if I can help others launch their talents in service to the state and to plants, my mission and vision are amplified.
∙ “One of the penalties of an ecological education is you live in a world of wounds,” said Aldo Leopold. Conservation is hard, and it requires decades of work. I often hear, “But Jennifer, I have been working on this for five years and have not yet saved a species.” No, neither have I. Optimism is a tool that requires active attention, and hope is a survival mechanism. We are moving species toward recovery and resetting the land with diversity. We do all we can to keep these species moving through time, and we will hand this work off to the next generation. This lifetime of commitment requires pacing ourselves. This work does not let up, and there are setbacks every year, but there are also successes every year.
∙ Celebrate the small successes. Finding a species in the wild for the first time is something to celebrate. All of the small firsts
are milestones of success. Our first seeds in hand, first germinated seeds, first year surviving in collection, first experimental outplanting, first plants to make it back in the wild in a year, first flowers, first fruits, first seeds, first seedlings in the wild, these are all markers of conservation success and ought to be celebrated and acknowledged.
∙ We’ve got miles to go before we sleep in conservation in Georgia. We have the gift of remarkable botanical diversity amongst geology, terrain and plant community in Georgia from coast to mountains. We have a lot of pressures on the lands with population growth, climate change, invasive species and loss of natural areas. We also have the gift of the GPCA, which is working with Georgia communities in service to the state to keep native plants on the land and ecologically relevant in the wild, working to increase native plants thriving to support the animals and people that depend on them.
I may be receiving my 30th work anniversary rocking chair (Note: I love rocking chairs!). But there is no resting. There is much work to do, and many people are needed across the state to train and get to work. We will be bold, be courageous and be together. Onward! For the plants and the people. Ever so fondly, a slightly patinated conservation spider in her GPCA web at the botanical garden.
Education
Raising your NQ
Cora Keber, director of education
I recently watched a very inspirational TED Talk by a young man named Wyatt Powers. Thank you to Shan Cammack, the keynote speaker of the 2024 Georgia Plant Conservation Alliance Symposium, for the recommendation.
Wyatt shares his unique homeschool experience. He and his mother traveled across the country in an RV, translating academics into experience. A major outcome was a deep understanding of IQ, EQ and NQ.
Most of us know IQ, or the intelligence quotient, which refers to the knowledge or capacity to understand and think critically about a specific subject matter, and EQ, or the emotional quotient, which refers to the capacity to understand and manage one’s feelings and perceive those of others. The question remains: what is NQ?
NQ refers to nature quotient or nature intelligence. Nature quotient is one’s ability to understand and be aware of the natural world around them and develop one’s connection to nature. I ran across the terminology “deep ecology” when seeking to understand more about NQ. This was new to me as the concept goes well beyond learning in a classroom and goes deep into the understanding and appreciation of the interdependence of the world around us. While there is no standardized test to get the score for your NQ, you can be your barometer. You can raise your NQ through your observations, connections, experiences and curiosity.
I believe the garden is an exceptional place to begin your journey of expanding your natural intelligence. Educational programming opportunities for your lifelong learning at any age. Exploration of
gardens and grounds that are filled with plant collections to maintain beauty, resilience and ecological connections. Conservation efforts quilted across the state to restore and preserve native landscapes. Rental facilities to celebrate life’s moments. Concerts, plant sales, art exhibits, holiday lights and beyond. These opportunities within public gardens and green spaces are designed, whether formally or informally, to heighten the understanding and awareness of our interdependence on each other and our role in the web of interconnection.
Within the education department, we truly take this concept of building one’s nature quotient to heart when we think about developing the current and next generation of environmental stewards. From our youngest learners to our mature learners, we are always considering unique and innovative ways to bring relevant and age-appropriate environmental and nature connection content to our audiences.
Whether it is planting a seed in the Dig and Grow area of the children’s garden, digging for worms during a field trip, propagating native plants with our conservation team, or developing garden designs in our Sustainable
Horticulture
Holy Basil
Carol Dyer McKeen, tropical collection & herb and physic garden curator
I love herbal teas and the soothing way they make me feel. Different herb blends can bring complex, earthy flavors while promoting beneficial properties. Many herbs can lift your spirits, but one of my favorite herbs I like to grow and use is Holy Basil.
Holy Basil, also known as Tulsi, can be two different herbs: Ocimum gratissimum or Ocimum tenuiflorum. Rama Tulsi, Krishna Tulsi and Vana Tulsi are some of the more popular varieties. It is a member of the mint family (Lamiaceae). Native to southeast Asia, Holy Basil is commonly used in Ayurveda (traditional medicine in India) to make healing teas, oils and poultices. Known as one of India’s most revered plants with nicknames such as “Queen of the Herbs,” “Incomparable One” and “Mother Medicine of Nature,” it spans cultural, social, religious and medicinal roles.
Its origins date back over 3,000 years in the Indian subcontinent, where it is considered a sacred plant in Hinduism and is often grown in or near Hindu households. According to some spiritual traditions, Tulsi is considered to embody the goddess Lakshmi, making it highly respected in Indian culture. Its influence extends beyond India and is also cherished in various Asian cultures for its spiritual and medicinal significance. It has now made its way to the West not only for its medicinal qualities and pleasant flavor but also for its beautiful texture in the garden and food for pollinators.
Tulsi is an incredibly easy-to-grow and adaptable plant, which makes it an ideal choice for gardeners of all levels, including beginners. While it is hardy in zones 10 and 11, gardeners in other zones can still enjoy its benefits by growing it as an outdoor annual. It will grow as a perennial in warmer climates and can do well as an indoor plant in the right conditions. It can be easily propagated by seed or a cutting. Even if you have no interest in its medicinal and culinary uses, this is a lovely herb to plant for its attractive foliage, flowers and alluring aroma. This herb will be a beautiful addition to your garden or houseplant collection. Tulsi basil can easily be started from seed by direct
sowing in the garden in spring or in late winter indoors to get a head start. I’ve noticed in my garden that Tulsi tends to reseed easily every year, so I tend to have a steady supply all summer where it volunteers perfect little domes in different spots around the garden in spring and summer.
Tulsi basil can be harvested throughout its growing season. Both the leaves and flowers can be used. When harvesting, you can pinch the growing tips or cut the whole plant back sharply.
After harvesting, wash the leaves and flowers to remove dirt and insects. Then, dry them using methods such as hanging them in bundles, lying flat with a fan or using a dehydrator on a low temperature. It’s important to make sure they are fully dry before storing.
If you’ve never added Tulsi basil to your garden, give it a try! It is such a versatile herb and it will add a fun texture to your garden, bring many pollinators in and add a delicious scent to your space.
TIPS & TRICKS
or
A tea
by steeping leaves in hot water for 3-4 minutes. You can use a tea strainer, a mesh tea ball infuser, teabags or a kettle. You can drink it hot, let it cool to room temperature, or serve it over ice.
Tulsi Bouquets
Tulsi basil is also a great addition to flower bouquets! Many types of herbs look beautiful when combined with other blooms collected from the garden. The strong, sweet scent of Tulsi, along with its spiky light purple flowers, makes a very complementary addition to a freshly harvested bouquet for your home or as a gift.
Tulsi Tea Herbal Tulsi basil tea can be made from either fresh
dried leaves.
infusion can be made
VOLUNTEER INFORMATION SESSIONS
Porcelain & Decorative Arts Museum
Noon-1 p.m.
Volunteer Spotlight
Jim and Rebecca Maxwell
Jim and Rebecca Maxwell began volunteering at the botanical garden in May 2024 and teamed up at the Visitor Center Welcome Desk on Wednesday mornings. They were naturals at making visitors feel welcomed and informed. Of course, this stemmed from the enjoyment they experienced when visiting Athens from nearby Jefferson. On their visits to Athens, they discovered the garden and “found it to be peaceful, interesting and a worthwhile organization.”
As they spent more time as visitors, they saw an opportunity to give back to the community and connect with people. Within a month, Jim began assisting Samantha Simmons in the Shade and Dunson Native Flora Gardens. He has enjoyed the outdoor work and the opportunity to get some physical exercise. While maintaining a garden is a unique form of physical exercise, it also means dealing with nature—in all its forms. Just ask Jim about his “snake pants.”
When asked about their favorite part of volunteering at the garden, they replied, “We both enjoy the people we have the privilege of meeting and interacting with.” Jim works with several staff and volunteers and finds them to be interesting, hardworking and great to be around. Rebecca very much likes the staff and volunteers as well, but also enjoys meeting the visitors from around the area, the state and the world! Rebecca’s teaching background gives her the natural ability to connect with visitors and share her knowledge of the garden.
We all know the garden offers continual learning opportunities, so we asked Jim and Rebecca what discoveries they have made since becoming volunteers. They answered, “Aside from all the wonderful people, we have found that the garden is actually much larger than we thought! We are trying to learn more about the plants growing throughout the different seasons, and in addition, we have been delighted to see many animals and birds that live and grow in the garden!”
Jim and Rebecca are ideal garden ambassadors! They have experienced the garden as visitors and volunteers. They exemplify the garden’s mission to create and nurture an environment for learning, inspiration and engagement. We are so proud to have them as members of our garden family!
Volunteer opportunities are available for many positions. Please contact Andrea Fischer for more information at 706-542-6195 or a scher@uga.edu.
Dates:
May 19
June 23
July 28
Aug. 25
Bring your lunch and spend time meeting friends and learning more about the garden. Drinks and desserts will be provided.
Interested in learning more about the garden? Ask about our Walk-Up and Group Tours!
Friends of the Garden has joined Brent and Becky’s Bulbs’ Bloomin’ Bucks. It is a simple program: you buy bulbs, plants, tools and more from Brent and Becky’s Bulbs through a special website and the Friends of the Garden receives a generous percentage of your payment. Your order is sent directly to you when it is the appropriate time to plant. Just follow these simple steps:
Go to www.bloominbucks.com (no ‘g’) and from the pull-down menu of organizations select FRIENDS OF THE STATE BOTANICAL GARDEN OF GEORGIA.
You will be sent to Brent and Becky’s Bulbs website where you can order whatever you want.
Your order is delivered directly to you and a percentage of the proceeds of your order helps to support the garden.
Classes & Events
Certificate in Native Plants
REQUIREMENTS
Four core courses (8 hours each) 32 hours
Six electives (4+ hours each) 24 hours
Two field trips (4+ hours each) 8 hours
Volunteer service 16 hours
Total 80 hours
Natural Communities of Georgia
• Tuesday, July 15; Thursday, July 17; and Monday, July 21
• 6-8 p.m.
• Virtual program, see our website for more information
• https://t.uga.edu/6wl
The Certificate in Native Plants offers committed individuals a comprehensive series of short courses in the identification, cultivation, propagation, ecology and conservation of native Georgia plants. With an emphasis on participatory learning, the short courses are designed to provide a supportive and challenging learning atmosphere. Participants will gain a greater appreciation and understanding of native plants in a broad context. For a complete course listing, visit botgarden.uga.edu.
CORE CLASSES
Plant Conservation: Protecting Plant Diversity
• Saturday, Aug. 9, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Tuesday, Aug. 12, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
• Melanie Flood, special project botanist, North Carolina Natural Heritage Program
This course covers Georgia’s diverse natural communities and their plants, including our iconic oak-pine forests, precious mountain coves, prairies, high mountain summits, pitcher-plant bogs, granite outcrops and fire-dependent longleaf pine woodlands. We will discuss the environmental factors that influence the vegetation of natural communities, their ecology and how climate change affects their composition and distribution over time. Natural communities across the state—what makes them special and how to identify them—will be covered in this class. This class will be taught virtually throughout several sessions.
Course Structure
This course consists of three live, online programs and self-paced review exercises.
Part 1 - Online Class Session: Foundations of Natural Communities (2 hours) July 15; 6-8 p.m.
Part 2 - Online Class Session: Exploring Natural Communities (2 hours) July 17; 6-8 p.m.
Part 3 - Self-Paced Learning Exercises (1-2 hours of content)
Part 4 - Online Class Session: Follow-up Q&A Session (2 hours) July 21; 6-8 p.m.
Ethnobotany of Native Plants: Through the Eyes of Native Americans
• Thursday, May 8
• 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Mark Warren, author and owner, Medicine Bow Wilderness School
• Medicine Bow Wilderness School, Dahlonega, GA
• https://t.uga.edu/8wz
• Jennifer Ceska, conservation coordinator, State Botanical Garden of Georgia
• Virtual program, see our website for more information
• https://t.uga.edu/67N
Plant conservation is an applied science that draws upon many fields of knowledge, from ecology to horticulture to ethics and politics. This course surveys threats to biodiversity in Georgia and worldwide, examples of rare plant research, techniques for restoration and reintroduction, and ways individuals and organizations are making a difference in protecting the rare plants of Georgia.
Course Learning Objectives & Outline:
• Why plants are critically imperiled worldwide and in Georgia
• Grasslands, understory diversity
• The legal framework around plants, wildlife, protections, vulnerabilities
• Conservation ethics, seed collecting, separating populations
• Monitoring rare plant species, field techniques and ethics
Course Structure
This class consists of three elements: a four-hour live, online program; self-paced learning activities; and a onehour discussion session.
Part 1 - Online Class Session (4 hours) Aug. 9; 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Part 2 - Self-Paced Learning Exercises (2 hours)
Part 3 - Follow-up Q&A Session (1-hour session) Aug. 12; 5:30-6:30 p.m.
ELECTIVES
This workshop will provide an ethnobotanical journey through a Southern Appalachian forest and field site to discover the gifts of nature that allowed the Native American society to flourish in this region. To understand that the forest offered everything that the Native Americans needed is to grasp the essence of precontact Native American life and, at the same time, truly appreciate the individual parts of nature. Participants will explore the crafts and lore of Native American life, including their use of wild plants for foods, medicines, repellents and everyday tools. Class time will be spent mostly outdoors, so come prepared for the weather that day. Please note that this class is located outside of the Athens area.
ELECTIVES (CONTINUED)
Native Ferns of the Georgia Piedmont
• Sunday, May 18
• 1-5 p.m.
• Connie Gray, native plant specialist, Georgia Native Plant Society – Athens Chapter
• State Botanical Garden Visitor Center, classroom 2
• https://t.uga.edu/9AC
Introduction to Graminoid ID
• Saturday, May 31
• 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Melanie Flood, special project botanist, North Carolina Natural Heritage Program
• State Botanical Garden Visitor Center, classroom 2
• https://t.uga.edu/9Az
Carnivorous Plants of the Southeast U.S.
• Saturday, June 7
• 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Will Rogers, research professional II, State Botanical Garden of Georgia
• State Botanical Garden Visitor Center, classroom 2
• https://t.uga.edu/6Pb
Our Native Pollinators
• Friday, June 13
• 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Becky Griffin, UGA pollinator health associate
• Georgia Mountain Research and Education Center, Blairsville, GA
• https://t.uga.edu/7vG
Native Ferns of the North Georgia Mountain Regions
• Saturday, June 14
• 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Connie Gray, native plant specialist, Georgia Native Plant Society – Athens Chapter
• State Botanical Garden Visitor Center, classroom 2
• https://t.uga.edu/9AS
Summer Tree Identification
• Saturday, June 21
• 8 a.m.-noon
• Zach Wood, Georgia Native Seed Network manager, State Botanical Garden of Georgia
• State Botanical Garden Visitor Center, classroom 2
• https://t.uga.edu/7vC
This course will focus on the most common ferns in the Piedmont region of Georgia. We will begin with an introduction to the biology and morphology of ferns, especially those features that will help you identify the different species. We will also compare the habitats where these ferns are found. We will examine each species through a presentation, examples in pots, and an outdoor venture to see many of these plants in person in the Dunson Native Flora Garden. Following the field time, we will examine samples under magnification when we return indoors. There will be some discussion of invasive, non-native ferns as well.
The term “graminoids” refers to three types of monocots: grasses, sedges and rushes. In this course, students will learn the basic morphological differences between graminoids and how to identify some larger genera within each family. The class will begin inside to learn some background on the families and examine some plant specimens up close and personal under a microscope. Then, we will take our newfound knowledge outside to the trails of the State Botanical Garden to look at these differences among living plants.
If you are amazed by carnivorous plants, you’re in legendary company; the great Charles Darwin also shared your passion and enthusiasm for them. This course will be a dynamic, hands-on experience getting to know various native carnivorous species and a few others from across the world. Learn about various prey capture techniques, unexpected symbiotic relationships, growing requirements and genetic work conducted here at UGA. There will also be a feeding tutorial since some lucky participants will go home with a carnivorous plant of their own!
This class will explore the be(e)autiful world of our native bees, butterflies, wasps, flies and other insect pollinators. We will dive into the biology of why these insects are so important in our ecosystem with hands-on activities. We will also end our time with a tour of the Ethnobotanical Garden to see the insects in action. Please note that this class is located outside of the Athens area.
This course will focus on the most common ferns in the Blue Ridge, Ridge and Valley, Cumberland Plateau, Brevard Fault zone and upper areas of the Piedmont. The class will begin with an introduction to the biology and morphology of the ferns, especially those features that will help you identify the different species. The natural habitats of these different ferns will also be discussed. We will examine each of these ferns through slides, an outdoor venture to see many of these plants in person in the Dunson Native Flora Garden, and we will examine samples under magnification when we return indoors. The primary focus of the class is to learn to recognize and appreciate these beautiful and fascinating native plants. There will be some discussion about using them in gardens as well.
About 200 tree species occur in Georgia’s Piedmont forests and woodlands. In this class, students learn to identify some of the most common of these by their leaves, bark, branching patterns and tree form. Students will learn to use a hand lens and a simple dichotomous key for woody plants to identify species. Class time will be divided between classroom exercises and a field trip to the woods at the State Botanical Garden. Please note the earlier start time of this course.
Plants & Pollinators Specialization
REQUIREMENTS
Five courses (4 hours each) 20 hours
Two field trips (4+ hours each) 8+ hours
Volunteer service, 30 hours
Total 58 hours
Insect Pollinators in Our Gardens
The garden has expanded its successful Certificate in Native Plants program to include a Plants and Pollinators Specialization designed for anyone ready to take an interest in protecting our native plants and pollinators! The specialization is open to people currently enrolled in or graduated from the CNP program and those who have not yet participated but are looking for an opportunity to get involved in pollinator protection in their area.
Connect to Protect Leadership Workshop
• Friday, Aug. 15
• Tuesday, June 3
• 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Paola Barriga, faculty, academic professional, UGA Department of Plant Biology
• Virtual program
• https://t.uga.edu/6Pd
This course allows participants to evaluate plant-insect interactions in gardens from an ecological perspective. We will focus on the importance of maintaining plant and insect pollinator diversity and the ecological factors that may influence this outcome. Among the factors that will be discussed in this course are the role of disease and pesticides in pollinator survival and how these factors could interact with plant species to produce certain
• 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Heather Alley, conservation horticulturist, State Botanical Garden of Georgia
• Jason Young, director of horticulture and grounds, State Botanical Garden of Georgia
• State Botanical Garden Visitor Center, classroom 2
• https://t.uga.edu/6wj
Join our Conservation Horticulturist, Heather Alley, and Director of Horticulture and Grounds, Jason Young, for a workshop on the specialized native plant garden program called Connect to Protect. In this class, you will learn the Connect to Protect philosophy and master both the educational goals and the gardening for biodiversity methods of this program. The educational outcomes of this course will include choosing appropriate native plant species and essential maintenance and dynamic curricula to
outcomes. create gorgeous, biodiversity-supporting gardens. Learn the of gardening for wildlife! Class time will be spent both indoors and outside hiking in the garden. Dress for outdoor conditions and a walk around the garden.
Evening/After Hours
Full Moon Hike Series
• Monday, May 12
• 8-9:30 p.m.
• State Botanical Garden education staff
• Meet at the fountain in front of the Visitor Center
• Fee: $5/person, pre-registration required
See the garden come alive at night! Join our monthly Full Moon Hikes to enjoy the State Botanical Garden after hours and hear discussions on nocturnal plants and animals, the changing seasons and moon folklore. Be prepared to hike up to two miles on our wooded trails and in the garden, where visibility may be low at times. If you have young children or infants, a backpack carrier is suggested. Pre-registration is required.
Rambles
Nature Ramblers
• Thursdays through Nov. 20, 2025
• 9 a.m. (each ramble lasts about 90 minutes)
• Leaders rotate among a group of local naturalists and biologists featuring guest guides
• Meet at children’s garden arbor
Join the Nature Ramblers to learn more about the State Botanical Garden’s natural areas, flora and fauna while making new friends and enjoying the fresh air. Rambles start with an inspirational reading by a nature writer such as Annie Dillard, John Muir or Janisse Ray. Ramblers are encouraged to bring their own nature writings or favorite poems and essays to share with the group. This is a ramble, not a hike; stopping to view interesting plants, insects, butterflies and mushrooms, etc., along the way is part of the experience each week. You can join for just one or all sessions. These informal rambles are free, but donations are accepted in the garden’s donation box in the visitor’s center lobby. To get a feel for what these rambles are like, visit https://naturerambling.org/.
Children & Family Programs
Great Southeast Pollinator Census
• Friday, Aug. 22-Saturday, Aug. 23
The State Botanical Garden of Georgia is one of many partners working with the University of Georgia Extension to gather a snapshot of pollinators around Georgia. The Great Southeast Pollinator Census is a historical initiative where citizens across the southeast will record the numbers and types of pollinators that populate our state during late summer. Not an entomologist? No worries! The census was designed for everyone to successfully participate and make a difference for our pollinator populations. Swing by the front desk of the visitor center for information about pollinator investigations around the garden. Visit https://GSePC.org for details on how to participate at home.
Adventure Packs
• Available times between 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
• Self-guided
• Fee: $20 for materials for up to 20 participants
• Ages: pre-K through grade 12
Birthday Parties at the Garden
• Saturdays & Sundays
• 9 a.m.–noon. or 1–4 p.m.
• State Botanical Garden education staff
• Visitor Center, children’s classroom
Explore the State Botanical Garden and trails on your own self-guided adventure. Each pack contains maps and supplies for hands-on science activities, plant hunts and forest explorations, which will be completed throughout different garden areas. Bring your family or students to enjoy activities and games introducing you to our shared earth at your own pace. For more information, please contact sbgeduc@uga.edu
• Fee: $350 for up to 40 guests (children and adults)
• Ages: 5–10
Are you looking for a memorable, magical, kid-friendly birthday? Look no further! The State Botanical Garden of Georgia offers a variety of birthday programs from September through May. You can choose from Animal Encounters, Critter Catchin’, Forest Treasure Hunt and more. Each party includes one hour of guided activities in our conservatory or forest trails and use of the children’s classroom for a total of three hours. Parents or chaperones must accompany all children for the duration of the program and are included in the participant numbers. For more information, please contact sbgeduc@uga.edu
Alice H. Richards Children’s Garden Performance Series
• Every third Saturday of the month, April through August
• 9:30 and 11 a.m. show times
• Theatre-in-the-Woods
• Free and open to children of all ages
Sweet Pea Club
• Every Thursday, through Oct. 30
• 10:15-11 a.m.
• Theater-in-the-Woods
• Fee: $3 per class
• Ages: 3-5
Every third Saturday of the month, April through August, enjoy various engaging shows on the Theatre-in-the-Woods stage in the Alice H. Richards Children’s Garden. Experience music, laughter and connection in nature as our artists bring excitement to your weekend. All performances will take place at 9:30 a.m., with a second showing at 11 a.m.
Join the State Botanical Garden of Georgia education team for Sweet Pea Club at the Alice H. Richards Children’s Garden. Families will join one another for a morning of adventure in the garden through various activities, including songs, puppets, stories, hikes and games. Each week will highlight a new theme, such as water, soil, foods we eat, pollination, plants or trees. The Sweet Pea Club program is an informal way to give young naturalists a better understanding of the importance of our shared earth. This program is geared towards ages 3-5. Please note this program typically takes place outdoors, and the location may change depending on weather. Registration is required and can be found on our website.
Summer Camps
The State Botanical Garden education department offers six different week-long summer camps for children ages 5-10. Each week focuses on a different outdoor theme to inspire fun and to connect with nature. Registration for all camps is available online through the State Botanical Garden of Georgia website.
June 2-6: Georgia Critters
Learn to bound like a deer, sneak like a fox and build a home like a beaver. Georgia is full of fascinating creatures we can discover all around us. From turkeys to snakes, mayfl to owls, we will meet a variety of creatures that call Georgia “home” and learn what they need to survive in their habitats. Come to this week of camp and leave a Georgia animal expert.
June 9-13: Aquatic Adventurers
Want to meet creatures that can change colors, breathe through their skin and have their stomachs on their feet? Come explore the wacky world of water. Catch salamanders and crayfish in our stream, play water games that leave you soaked, and learn what you can do to keep our water clean. This week of camp is sure to cool you down and excite your imagination.
June 16-20: Forest Explorers
The environment changes across the globe, and so do the ways people interact with it. In this week of camp, we will travel the world to discover how humans have used the natural world throughout history. Try your hand at various historical practices in farming, eating, social gathering and survival. We have a world of fun during this week of community-building and exploration.
June 23-25: Sweet Pea Camp
• Monday-Wednesday, 9-11 a.m.
• Fee: $75
• Ages: 3-4 with an adult helper
This camp is planned especially for young nature lovers and their parent or other adult helper, offering a marvelous introduction to the natural world. Each day focuses on a different topic, such as “A Visit with Old Man Spruce Tree” or “Adventures with Oli the Earthworm.” Programs involve puppet shows, storytelling, outdoor games, nature crafts and garden explorations. This camp provides a great way to spend time outside this summer with your child.
June 23-27: Environmental Sciences Camp, in partnership with Summer Camp Academy
• 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Ages: 11-14
• Registration is through the Georgia Center for Continuing Education
Learn about different fields of study in environmental sciences from professionals in horticulture, conservation, botany and more! Explore careers in these fields through hands-on experiential learning and interactions with experts. Have fun exploring the State Botanical Garden grounds and learning about the diverse ecosystems in the Georgia Piedmont and your backyard.
July 7-11: Aquatic Adventurers
Please be advised that this week’s schedule replicates the first week of Aquatic Adventurers camp. We ask that campers join only one of these duplicate weeks to allow space for others.
July 14-18: Bee Smart, Eat Smart
The Bee Smart, Eat Smart camp introduces campers to gardening, nutrition and cooking by discussing the connection between nature and our food. Campers will have the opportunity to try various fruits and vegetables throughout the week, and the final project will include a Chef Day in which kids will work under the close supervision of camp counselors to create two healthy, kid-friendly recipes for all to try.
July 21-25: Nature Rangers
Join the Nature Rangers for a week packed with outdoor exploration. Campers will participate in various exciting games and adventurous activities showcasing Georgia’s natural history and resources. From mountains to coast, see what makes our great state unique.
Sunflower Concert Series
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit botgarden.uga.edu.
The Sunflower Concert Series at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia invites the community to enjoy live music amidst the beauty of the garden. Held in the picturesque Flower Garden, these concerts provide an unforgettable experience. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets, chairs and picnic dinners to savor while enjoying the music. Each ticket includes snacks and beverages. This year, concerts will feature one band with no opening act. In case of inclement weather, concerts will be relocated to the Visitor Center and Conservatory. Season passes, which include tickets to all four concerts, are $80 for adults and $40 for children ages 5-16. Ticket prices for single concerts are $24 for adults and $12 for children ages 5-16. Children under 5 are admitted free of charge.
Adult tickets purchased at the gate will be $26. Friends of the Garden members receive a 10% discount.
All ticket prices are subject to additional fees.
The
Randall Bramblett Band
June 17
Bramblett, a native of Jesup, Georgia, may be known as Southern rock royalty for playing on stage with rock heroes like Bonnie Raitt, The Allman Brothers Band, Steve Winwood and Widespread Panic. Respected for his songwriting, he penned the title track for the Grammy-nominated Blind Boys of Alabama’s new album, adding to a long catalog of songs covered by Raitt, Gregg Allman, Bonnie Bramlett, Hot Tuna, Delbert McClinton and more. But it’s Bramblett’s own career as frontman, creating 12 albums, where his artistry is on full display.
The New Orleans Jazz Stompers
July 15
The New Orleans Jazz Stompers are a traditional jazz band that features a front line of trumpet, clarinet and trombone and a rhythm section of piano, sousaphone, banjo and drums. Liam Parke is the featured vocalist. They play jazz styles of the early 20th century that came from New Orleans and then spread across the country and worldwide.
Abbey Road LIVE!
Aug. 19
Since 2002, Abbey Road LIVE! has been rocking the music of the Beatles. Initially a tribute to the “Abbey Road” album, the band has expanded its scope to include nearly 150 Beatles tunes from all eras of the Fab Four’s career. The band specializes in complete, startto-finish album performances of masterpieces such as “Abbey Road,” “Magical Mystery Tour,” “Rubber Soul,” “Revolver” and “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Heart’s Club Band.”
The 80’s Walkmen
Sept. 16
Playing the best of 80’s college rock and new wave, the 80’s Walkmen are sure to bring you back to the days of jamming to your cassette mix-tape in your dorm room or on your car stereo. From U2 to Devo, the Police to The Cure, R.E.M. to Elvis Costello and many more, the 80’s Walkmen deliver hit after hit in highly entertaining fashion.
Art Exhibits
Bob Clements
May 11 - June 22
Retired Emeritus Professor of Art at the University of Georgia Robert Clements is a multidisciplinary artist whose paintings capture the beauty of Southern landscapes. Clements, whose work is installed as public art at sites around the country, has extended that legacy to Athens. “Public art defines the quality of a city,” Clements said. “We’re very fortunate in Athens to have the university here. UGA gives artists a chance to spark off one another and pursue creativity for a lifetime.”
Clements’ ties to Athens and UGA remain vibrant, despite his retirement from the university 29 years ago. He was a professor at the Lamar Dodd School of Art from 1969 to 1996. During that time, he won several teaching awards and research grants.
June 29 - Aug. 3
Elizabeth Barton was born in York, England, and was educated in England and the U.S. After obtaining her PhD, she emigrated to the U.S. While working at the University of Georgia, she began to make quilts, focusing on art quilts. She makes wall hangings from cloth that she has painted, cut into pieces and reassembled. Several layers are put together and stitched intensively to add texture and meaning.
Barton is especially interested in the natural world around her home in Athens: all the mysterious tangles of branches, the many shades of green and the way the landscape wraps gently around the houses. She creates art of places she knows and everyday environments, including cityscapes and industrial and rural landscapes whose hidden beauty she wants to reveal. Exploring reflected light, translucency, the effects of time and repeated patterns of natural or architectural forms, she creates works that glow with light and are rich with color and nuance where the unified composition is satisfying and the details are fascinating.
Elizabeth Barton
Friends First Friday
First Friday each month
9–10:30 a.m.
Fee: $12 general admission, $10 for members
Pre-registration is required
May 9 - Snakes of Yards and Gardens - Berkeley Boone
Just the mention of the word “snake” can elicit a response from people. Let’s look at some of the more common species found in Athens and the surrounding Piedmont area. With live examples of both venomous and non-venomous species, come learn what makes snakes so fascinating and a key part of our environment and how to co-exist with them in your personal landscape.
Berkeley Boone is a herpetologist who has been working with reptiles and amphibians since he was very young. He has been an environmental educator for over 30 years and uses live animals in his presentations. He lives in Watkinsville and has worked at the Savannah River Ecology Lab, Sandy Creek Nature Center and Bear Hollow Zoo. Currently, he works for the Department of Natural Resources.
June 6 – Where is the Founders Memorial Garden? – Gareth Crosby
Gareth Crosby is the director and curator of the Founders Memorial Garden for the College of Environment and Design at UGA. She manages the day-to-day garden work, rentals, publicity, development and building maintenance. Crosby will discuss the Founders Memorial Garden, a local secret garden loved by UGA students, staff and local Athenians alike.
Crosby earned her master’s of fine art in landscape design at the Conway School of Landscape Design and has worked in public and private gardens in Athens since 2010. Much of her focus has been on useful plants in sustainable landscape design and plants of cultural importance to the state of Georgia. Before joining the College of Environment and Design, Crosby was curator of the Heritage Garden at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia for nine years. At home, she has two children and a husband. They grow a small vegetable garden that produces excellent strawberries, garlic, onions, asparagus and other seasonal annuals. She is a crafter and shepherdess, growing cashmere goats for their luxurious fiber, which she combs from their coats, spins into yarn and then uses to knit items for family and friends. She is also fascinated by dye plants and the magical process of indigo dye.
July 11 - Meet Me at the Garden – Cora Keber
The garden, in partnership with the Cognitive Aging and Research Education Center, has been piloting a program called Meet Me at the Garden. This program is designed for people with dementia and their care partners. Dyads come together to socialize, learn about environmental topics, and explore the outdoors on a sensory walk. Keber will share the history of the partnership, the structure of the program, and goals for the future. Participants will engage in some programmatic activities for fun, learning and connection.
Keber has worked at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia since the summer of 2007. She has held various positions over the years and has been the director of education since 2016. In this role, she oversees educational programming, implementation and evaluation for pre-K through lifelong learners.
Aug. 1 – Before There Was the Garden – Roger Collins
Roger Collins has always enjoyed exploring Georgia’s landscape and history and is an avid participant in the Thursday morning Nature Ramblers at the State Botanical Garden. He is passionate about researching land use history in the Athens area and surrounding counties. His research includes finding old tax maps, aerial photos and analyzing tree rings and land formations to interpret the land. Join us as Collins presents a fascinating program on the history of the garden’s land and the surrounding nearly 2,000 acres. He will share information about the three generations of the White family who owned the land. This family created the mill village of Whitehall and built the mansion on the forestry school property of the same name. You will learn how the property eventually became a part of UGA.
Collins is a graduate of UGA’s Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication. After working on newspapers in South Carolina and Tennessee, he returned to Georgia to serve as editor of The Oconee Enterprise in Watkinsville. For the past 40 years, he followed a career in residential construction as a homebuilder and electrical and plumbing contractor. He is now semi-retired and lives on Lake Oglethorpe in Oglethorpe County.
Dear Friends,
Happy late spring-early summer! It is an excellent time to welcome the change of seasons and the beautiful tree and plant changes in the garden. Spring brings the bulbs, wildflowers and trees blooming, the return of the leaves to the trees, and more Friends and visitors to our beautiful State Botanical Garden.
Summer is a wonderful time to explore our shady trails and enjoy the summer glory of blooms, birds and butterflies. Plans are being made for another exciting Sunflower Concert Series. The Friends First Friday speakers have drawn increasing attendance for an opportunity to be inspired by various speakers providing garden tips and inspiration and to meet and connect with friends!
Counting everyone who visits the garden is difficult, but the estimate for visitors in 2024 was 377,000! It is especially wonderful to know that our garden is a destination for visitors not only from Georgia but from all over the world! During my volunteer experience at Winter WonderLights, I greeted visitors from Germany, Canada, England, Italy and many other states in the U.S. Everyone had a big smile and wonderful things to say about their experience in this special place!
I encourage you to bring your friends and family to the garden and to volunteer and share your talents and enthusiasm with our visitors and friends. THANK YOU for helping support the garden through memberships to the Friends of the Garden as we continue to grow beautiful experiences for our visitors.
Karen Radde, president Friends of the State Botanical Garden of Georgia
President
Karen Radde Vice-President
Pamela Bracken
Secretary
Kay Petroff
Treasurer
Dennis Calbos
Immediate Past President
Eileen Hale
Endowment Trustees
Mercer Brockenbrough
James LaBoon III
John Quackenbush
Ellen Wilkens Wiley
Board of Directors
Merry Anderson
Shirley Berry
Nancy Black
Barbara Bourque
Cheryl Briscoe
Cheri Crowley
Betsy Ellison
Juli Fields
Celia Fowler
Susie Haggard
Taylor Jenkins
Shelly Prescott
Rosemary Mauldin
Teresa Morrison
Rosemary Stancil
Gale Thomas
Anne Walker
William “Bill” Walker
Dot Williams
Supporting the Garden
Online Gifts Make a one-time gift. Make a recurring gift.
Pledges Pledges enable a donor to plan a personal gift that is both convenient and tax-wise. A pledge may enable a donor to consider a more significant gift than would have otherwise been possible. Terms for payment on pledges are flexible.
Matching Gifts
Many employers support matching gift programs and will match charitable contributions made by their employees. Ask your employer about its matching gifts program.
Please contact Johnathon Barrett, director of development, at (912) 398-9750 or Johnathon.barrett@uga.edu to learn more about giving opportunities.
Memorial & Tribute Gifts
Memorials, tributes and other named gift opportunities will be remembered with a plaque recognizing the honoree and donor. Gifts range from benches and trees to statues and garden sections. Unique dedication opportunities are available throughout our landscape.
Endowments
An endowed fund is a dependable and continuous source of support, since the principal is invested and only a portion of the earnings is spent annually.
Planned Gifts
Long-term gift planning can be a preferable means of giving from an estate, financial and tax planning perspective.
2450 S. Milledge Ave. Athens, Ga. 30605
botgarden.uga.edu 706-542-1244
HOURS GROUNDS
OPEN DAILY, 7 A.M.-7 P.M.
VISITOR CENTER
GIFT SHOP
PORCELAIN AND DECORATIVE ARTS MUSEUM
TUES.-SAT. 9 A.M.-4:30 P.M.
SUNDAY 11:30 A.M.–4:30 P.M.
MONDAY CLOSED
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WINTER WONDERLIGHTS
By the numbers 2024
180K
Winter WonderLights website visits during ticket sales period
47K+
75% of attendees in 2024 visited Winter WonderLights for the first time
75%
Digital ads generated over 47,000 link clicks to the Winter WonderLights website nights cups of hot chocolate served
Tickets were purchased from 143 of Georgia’s 159 counties
65,000
2M+ lights illuminated the garden tickets sold
21,200
Museum
Mother Nature’s Jewelry:
The wildflowers of Trailer McQuilkin
Grace Moorman Porcelain and Decorative Arts Museum curator
Conservation is at the very heart of the State Botanical Garden of Georgia’s work. Specifically, protecting, maintaining and restoring native plant populations have long been the focus of the work done by staff.
When the Porcelain and Decorative Arts Museum was built, it was clear that a portion of the space should be dedicated to exhibiting art about conservation and teaching about the intersection between the two. The work of sculptor Trailer McQuilkin is uniquely suited to celebrate these themes and highlights the importance art can play in advancing the conservation mission of the State Botanical Garden.
The museum houses a collection of 17 of McQuilkin’s sculptures, most of which depict wildflowers native to Georgia. These hyperreal sculptures—made primarily of painted copper—are magnificent reproductions of real plants that germinate, grow and flower throughout the state.
McQuilkin is a primarily self-taught artist living in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. In 1969, he began experimenting with capturing wildflowers in a permanent, artistic medium. As he developed his technique, he turned to sheet copper, copper wire, metal primer and oil paints to construct his often-delicate plants while collecting natural materials like acorns, dried leaves, insects and animal bones to complete each sculpture.
It takes McQuilkin two to five months to create each sculpture. He begins by obtaining a live specimen from which he can model. Sometimes, the species are common enough that he can easily collect a plant and bring it to his studio. At other times, when working with endangered species, for example, McQuilkin works with experts to obtain specimens from locally secure populations of plants.
Some of these plants, like American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius), are so uncommon in Georgia that McQuilkin had to look to cultivated specimens to create his pieces. His ginseng specimen was gathered from the State Botanical Garden of Georgia’s Dunson Native Flora Garden, and in preparation for the construction of the museum, an American ginseng copper sculpture was specially commissioned.
The resulting sculpture is tall and leafy, with young growth and mature red berries bumping against each other in a simulation of living plant matter. The natural materials scattered below—sycamore balls, fallen leaves and twigs—finish the piece. By incorporating these materials found nearby, he creates a realistic microenvironment, reminding us that these ephemeral wildflowers do not grow in vacuums but in rich biomes. It takes all these things in a precious, tenuous harmony to ensure that each species survives and thrives.
Mother Nature’s jewelry, as McQuilkin calls wildflowers, are small but vibrant parts of Georgia’s diverse ecosystem, and recognizing their importance, he has made it his life’s work to capture these short-lived plants more permanently. By combining manufactured and natural materials, McQuilkin blurs the lines between real and mimicked, encouraging art enthusiasts and devoted conservationists to pause, study and contemplate the interaction of art, nature and science.
Accessible path added to Dunson Native Flora Garden at State Botanical Garden
Laurel Clark, communications manager
A new accessible pathway in the Dunson Native Flora Garden at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia at UGA will allow more visitors to experience the beauty of the native plants and birds found within this section of the garden.
The new concrete path, made possible by the Riverview Foundation, will replace previous mulch paths, which were rustic, steep and narrow. The concrete path is 5 feet wide and ADA accessible, allowing barrier-free access to the garden.
“Dunson is a very special garden,” said the garden’s director of horticulture, Jason Young. “It is a unique representation of our natural areas, and providing ADA access to this garden gives visitors a chance to experience a beautiful forest in an accessible setting.”
The new pathway was constructed over where previous paths existed, and special care was taken to reduce the impacts on the existing plant life. The Dunson Garden is unique as it is set in a lower area of the State Botanical Garden, where soil accumulates due to water flow, creating a rich environment for plant life.
This garden includes many different species of trillium, native azaleas and spring ephemerals such as Virginia bluebells, bloodroots and trout lilies.
Parts of the new concrete path will have wider sections, allowing space to linger and take in the surroundings.
Young said the Dunson garden is a popular spot for birdwatching. The State Botanical Garden is an Audubondesignated important birding area.
“Our goal as the State Botanical Garden is to create an accessible environment for people of all ages to experience nature,” said Jenny Cruse-Sanders, director of the State Botanical Garden. “We are grateful to the Riverview Foundation for their support in expanding accessibility at the garden.”
The Riverview Foundation is a long-standing supporter of the State Botanical Garden and has funded other accessibility projects at the garden, including the wetland boardwalk and a concrete ADA-accessible pathway to the Middle Oconee River. The foundation supports habitat and wildlife conservation as well as parks and greenways.
“The Riverview Foundation is keenly interested in improving the connection of people to nature,” said the foundation’s executive director, Bruz Clark. “The State Botanical Garden has been the recipient of Riverview funding to establish the new ADA walkway, along with improvements to the Orange and White Trail, including the construction of the new wooden boardwalk along the banks of the Middle Oconee River.
“Both projects improve accessibility and exposure to the natural environment that are good for the mind, body and spirit.”
Thank you to our 2025 Orchid Madness Sponsors
Diamond Sponsor for Botanic Musicale The Fickling Family Foundation
Platinum Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
Support the State Botanical Garden of Georgia by sponsoring Winter WonderLights, the acclaimed light show named Best Local Event in the Athens BannerHerald’s Community’s Choice Awards 2024.
For more information on sponsorship opportunities, contact Kathryn McHugh kathryn.reeves@uga.edu (706) 542-8883
Patron Sponsor Rose and Dahlia Garden Club
New Garden Staff
Jenny Denson recently joined the State Botanical Garden’s staff as the Multimedia Specialist. She has been with UGA for almost seven years as a graphic designer. Jenny is a native of Kansas and Nebraska but has lived in Georgia for over 25 years. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from UGA and has been visiting the botanical garden for years with friends and family. She enjoys spending time around town with her husband and daughter, knitting, drawing, crafting and spending time in nature.
The State Botanical Garden recently welcomed Chris Humble to the garden’s staff as the Assistant Director for Operations. Chris served in the Air Force for four years, and in his most recent position, he was a Regional Operations Manager for the Dish Network. Chris holds a degree in business management from the University of Phoenix. He enjoys spending time with his family and getting involved in community activities. He also loves to travel and has visited 32 states.
Rachel Smith recently joined the State Botanical Garden of Georgia team as the Georgia Native Seed Network Project Coordinator. Originally from Savannah, Georgia, Rachel received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in horticulture from the University of Georgia. As an undergrad, Rachel began volunteering at the garden and became a student worker, culminating in five years of experience at the garden. Rachel enjoys walking through the woods, biking, yoga, carpentry, farming and gardening.
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Student Spotlight - Kate Hall
Kate Hall has been the Communications Intern at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia for two years. She recently received her bachelor of arts in public relations from the University of Georgia’s Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication.
Hall fell in love with visiting the garden throughout her first two years at UGA, enjoying walks with friends, and admiring her favorite flowers, tulips, blooming each year. She was so excited to join the garden team in her junior year of college and put her communications skills to use.
Over her two years at the garden, Hall has worked on countless projects involving photography, graphic design, journalism and social media. Some of her favorite moments include photographing a visit to the garden from the Department of the Interior’s Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, researching and writing a published article about a rare firefly species found at the garden, directing a photoshoot of Hairy Dawg to promote the garden’s Winter WonderLights, assisting the photographer at the Gardens of the World Ball and developing materials for the 2024 and 2025 Georgia Pollinator Plants of the Year.
Hall is so thankful for her time at the garden. She has loved working with her boss, Laurel Clark, who has encouraged her and given her
opportunities to grow as a communicator. She has learned so much from the wonderful team and her experiences at the garden, and she is excited to carry all of those lessons with her into her future in the communications world!
Gateway to the Garden
State Botanical Garden begins infrastructure improvements, preparing for additional hiking trails and parking
Laurel Clark, communications manager
The State Botanical Garden at the University of Georgia recently started making infrastructure improvements to its driveway. This is the first step in a series of improvements planned for the garden over the next several years, called the Gateway to the Garden project.
The Gateway to the Garden project will include an updated entranceway, improved trail access, and additional parking to accommodate the increasing number of visitors the State Botanical Garden welcomes annually. The Office of the Provost at the University of Georgia funded the project’s first phase to address infrastructure needs along the garden’s driveway.
“We are thrilled to begin work on the Gateway to the Garden project that will help us welcome more visitors to the garden and support our mission to create an environment for learning, inspiration and engagement in an accessible way,” said the
garden’s director, Jenny Cruse-Sanders. “We are extremely grateful to the Office of the Provost for the support to begin the project.”
The engineering of rain gardens and the resculpting of the land along the driveway will help manage stormwater runoff. The rain gardens will be filled with native plants that filter, clean and absorb water, providing an example of green infrastructure. The garden’s horticulture staff collected seeds from the garden’s property and have been growing the plants in the greenhouse to prepare for the driveway improvements.
“This is why native plants are essential,” said the garden’s director of horticulture and grounds, Jason Young. “We’re mimicking existing habitats along our entrance road with plants known to survive these conditions. The beauty of native plants is that they’re suited to our conditions, and they’re resilient.”
The green infrastructure improvements to the garden’s driveway can serve as a model for visitors to implement similar practices in their home gardens. It is also an example of sustainable roadside maintenance, which the garden’s conservation team is working with statewide partners to implement.
A rendering of proposed updates to the State Botanical Garden of Georgia’s entrance
Board of Advisors 2024-2025
Tootsie Adams, Athens
Cyndae Arrendale, Atlanta
Lisa Bell, Savannah
Malinda Bergen, Savannah
Betsy Birkholz, Marietta
Mary Bishop, Sea Island
Sherri Callaway, Hamilton
Natalie Coghill, Augusta
Jeff Cole, Athens
Geri Coleman, Atlanta
Amy Cowsert, Athens
Andrew Crawford, Atlanta
Martha Deméré, Sea Island
Betty DeVore, Athens
Evelyn Dukes, Athens
Cindy Edwards, Savannah
Betsy Ellison, Athens
Susan Braselton Fant, Sea Island
James Farmer, Perry
Melissa Fontaine, Athens
Ann Frierson, Athens
Kelly Grow, Athens
Robert Hallock, Savannah
Catherine Hardman, Athens
Mary Hardman, Athens
Francie Hargrove, Cashiers, NC
Paula Hennessy, Atlanta
Melba Hill, Atlanta
Ken Hodges, Albany
Maudie Huff, Columbus
Karen Hull, Augusta
Truett Jarrard, Atlanta
Jimmy Jeter, Moultrie
Sally Jobe, Atlanta
Dori Jones, Columbus
Sally Jones, Sea Island
Gena Knox, Athens
Merry Jo Kurrie, Valdosta
Betsy Leebern, Columbus
Carrie Lovein, Atlanta
Brenda Magill, Athens
Polly Mattox, LaGrange
Marianne McConnel, Atlanta
Tavia McCuean, Atlanta
Jim Miller, Atlanta
Farolyn Mobley, Moultrie
Caroline Morris, Augusta
Alannah O’Quinn, St. Simons Island
In 2021, the State Botanical Garden of Georgia partnered with GDOT and Keep Athens-Clarke County Beautiful to plant native species along the entrance ramp next to the GA-10 Loop at Milledge Avenue.
“Native plants function to support their ecosystem, and that’s important because our roadsides are turning into monocultures of non-native species that don’t support our native wildlife,” said Zach Wood, the garden’s Georgia Native Seed Network manager.
This is the first step in a series of improvements planned for the garden over the next several years as part of the Gateway to the Garden project.
He added that nonnative species don’t filter water as well as native species, which is significant for handling stormwater runoff on roadsides.
The State Botanical Garden of Georgia encourages people to plant native and pollinator-supporting species through its Connect to Protect and Georgia Pollinator Plants of the Year programs. The garden also hosts a spring plant sale in April and a native plant sale in October, which allows community members to talk with experts who can help them make excellent selections for their home gardens.
Sandra Paris, Atlanta
Alex Patterson, Gainesville
Hart Payne, Gainesville
Doreen Poitevint, Bainbridge
Kathy Rainer, Atlanta
Georgia Schley Ritchie, Atlanta
Hart Roberts, Athens
Victoria Simms, Sea Island
Henrietta Singletary, Albany
Lacy Sinkwich, Athens
Janie Skinner, Atlanta
Eileen Small, Atlanta
Haynes Studstill, Lakeland
Colleen Sullivan, Albany
Nancy Thomas, Screven
Elizabeth Townley, Bogart
Sally Tyndall, Atlanta
Ruth Wellborn, Greensboro
Joel Wernick, Greensboro
Tom Wight, Macon
Cynthia Willett, Bluffton, SC
Kathy Young, Marietta
EMERITUS MEMBERS
Betty Balentine, Atlanta
Diana Barrow, Savannah
Dottie Blitch, Athens
Mark Callaway, Atlanta
Pat Carlock, Atlanta
Linda Cravey, Atlanta
Susan Duncan, Highlands, NC
Jim Gatewood, Americus
Sylvia Gibson, Athens
Lynwood Hall, Moultrie
Georgia Hatcher, Macon
Mimsie Lanier, Sea Island
Sissy Lawson, Gainesville
Peggy Lientz, Atlanta
Alden Maier, Rome
Cindy Moore, Savannah
Felton Norwood, Atlanta
Colleen Nunn, Atlanta
Penny Nunnally, Atlanta
Stephen Reichert, Macon
Margaret Robinson, Sea Island
Deen Day Sanders, Atlanta
Betty Sponcler, Dalton
Nancy Tarbutton, Sandersville
Robert Winthrop, Athens
LIFETIME MEMBERS
Kathy Lanigan, Thomasville
Marilyn McNeely, Clarkesville
Mark Preisinger, Sea Island
Postcards from the Garden
706.542.1244 . botgarden.uga.edu . garden@uga.edu
Garden Gift Shop
Summer is here, and so are our new and exciting gifts to help you make the most of the sunny season! Whether you’re looking for the perfect garden accessories, home decor to brighten up your space, or unique gifts for your loved ones, we’ve got something for everyone. If you’re hosting or visiting friends, we have yard games, picnic and BBQ accessories to make your gatherings even more enjoyable.
Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just getting started, we have everything you need to make your outdoor space shine. From vibrant plants to top-quality tools, we’re here to help your garden grow this season. Stay cool in the shade with our handmade straw gardening hats. Keep plants hydrated with cute terra cotta watering spikes, and keep your bird friends happy with adorable seed cottages!
Thank you for being part of our community. Shopping at the gift shop is a fun and easy way to support the State Botanical Garden of Georgia. Wishing you a joyful summer!
Gift shop hours: Tuesday-Saturday 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. • Sunday 11:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. • MONDAY CLOSED
