Aberdeen Bird, Growth Facilities Assistant

I started working at the Arnold Arboretum as a plant production Hunnewell intern at the Dana Greenhouses where I learned woody plant propagation skills and best greenhouse practices. I am now in a supporting role at the Weld Hill Research Facility, joining the plant technologists in caring for the research and teaching collections.

Prior to coming to the arboretum, I graduated from Tufts University with a Bachelor’s in Environmental Studies. I grew up working on my family’s vegetable farm where I managed our agricultural greenhouses and have explored other commercial growing operations including time spent at a lavender farm and culinary mushroom farm. My woody plant care experience began when I was a gardener at a private fine gardening company, but I feel a much stronger calling in public horticulture.

When I’m not at Weld Hill, you can find me trail-riding my bicycle, identifying edible plants, or reading.

I feel fortunate to have a behind-the-scenes peek into the botanical research world and to be surrounded by knowledgeable and curious plant people.