Jessica Pederson is a prime example of the same career pipeline at the Arnold Arboretum that she now oversees—a dynamic channel of learners, from young children to adults, who get excited about plants and grow into environmental stewards and green industry leaders. “I was an intern here and then a gardener,” Jessica shares with nostalgia from her cheery office in the Hunnewell Building, where she marshals her decades of experience and a master’s degree in public garden leadership as Head of Public Programs. “We serve as the bridge between the public and the Arboretum’s research and horticulture work,” Jessica explains.
From toddling children to senior citizens, any Arboretum visitor can connect with nature. Jessica’s Public Programs team serves them all—any age, background, and interest level. “We work to engage everybody—not only already self-proclaimed nature-lovers,” Jessica emphasizes. “Our role is to nurture a connection to the environment for everyone.” Inspiring visitors to follow a green career path or learn about a more evironmentally-friendly lifestyle can lead to a better future for us all. Given our location in Boston, the Arboretum has the capacity to inspire neighbors who previously have not had access to green space to foster strong relationships with the natural world.
“I am so proud of the outreach work we are doing,” Jessica shares. “It’s a whole new type of programming for the Arboretum.” Historically, Arboretum learning and engagement programs have been offered in our landscape, so attendees needed to come to us first. “But it’s so important to meet people where they are,” Jessica explains, a sentiment she means both literally and metaphorically. Our outreach educator now runs programs beyond our perimeter in nearby public housing communities—reaching new audiences, increasing our visibility, and expanding our impact. As they discover more about the Arboretum and what it has to offer, these neighbors have a greater sense of belonging and are more likely to come enjoy the landscape on their own. “This work really excites us,” Jessica enthuses. “We’re already building some great relationships with these neighboring communities.”
Given the current university hiring pause and loss of a key position, this new line of outreach work is especially impressive. The Public Programs department is a small but mighty team, working together to fulfill their own roles while also collaborating to fill the existing vacancy of Manager of Youth Education. With only so many hands and hours in the day, Jessica has needed to make some difficult decisions but has kept her team laser focused. Some programs have been put on hiatus and, in the meantime, the department is focused on programming that supports the maximum number of people.
For example, the Arboretum has offered Field Study Experiences (FSE) programs for elementary school classrooms in our landscape for more than 40 years, providing free, hands-on nature learning for over 3,000 Boston Public School (BPS) students each year. Running the program is a substantial undertaking, but the impacts are massive. Teacher feedback repeatedly emphasizes how much the students enjoy these opportunities and how much they learn. Students also rave about their experiences and share how their time at the Arboretum has inspired them.
“This field trip taught me to appreciate nature more,” one BPS eighth grader remarked, “while also making me want to make a change so that many future generations can enjoy nature like we did at the Arboretum.” Another reflected: “I felt a strong connection with the Arboretum’s mission to protect and celebrate our natural world. Your dedication has left a lasting impression on me, and I’m truly grateful for the experience.” These profound moments in nature at such a critical developmental period are formative, but learning does not stop at adolescence. The learning pipeline at the Arnold encompasses all ages.
Jessica is dedicated to ensuring that FSE and all our public programs stay strong despite ongoing headwinds, and fortunately she has a strong source of help. “We have an amazing group of volunteer guides,” she shares. These volunteers, along with our volunteer docents, are great examples of the lifelong learners who enjoy a deeper connection with nature through the Arboretum. Their knowledge and enthusiasm inspire other adult learners, and a monthly newsletter offers guidance to all educators interested in using nature to educate.
Jessica has held various roles in gardens around the United States and returned to the Arboretum three years ago, practically bursting with passion and possibility. For starters, her time at the New York Botanical Garden inspired a new annual public event at the Arboretum that has already enriched thousands of lives. “I went to an incredible cherry blossom celebration in Brooklyn,” Jessica shares. “There’s so much history and culture relating to cherry blossoms, and I wanted to bring that experience to the Arboretum.” This April will mark the second annual Cherry Blossom Festival at the Arnold, full of family activities, traditional Japanese dance, and general springtime merriment set in the cotton candy clouds of sakura in the Bradley Rosaceous Collection by the ponds.
Each facet of the Public Programs team—adult programs, children’s programs, community outreach, and visitor engagement—works together to inspire connections between the public and the Arboretum, and ultimately plants and people, as it once did for Jessica herself. “I was literally part of the Arboretum pipeline,” Jessica notes. “I’ve dedicated my career to public gardens.” As the Public Programs department navigates challenging times, perhaps no one is better suited than Jessica to make a difference. If you feel inspired to help Jessica and her team achieve more for our community in the coming year, please visit our giving page to make a gift and select Arts & Public Programming from the “Select a Fund” drop-down menu. To learn more about our public programs, visit the events tab of our website.