After being struck by a devastating derecho storm on August 10, 2020, the Iowa Arboretum and Gardens suffered substantial damage.
On the main 40-acre campus alone, over 275 trees were lost, about 40% of its entire collection. Along with the losses from the main collection, the 60 acres of woodland paths located across the street were also decimated. Whole sections of forest that once had complete canopy cover are now wide open spaces littered with downed trees, rendering most of the paths unusable.
In an effort to raise funds to help ReLeaf the Arboretum, the organization is hosting a webinar series featuring some friends from the industry who were more than happy to lend a hand.
Curator Tyler Johnson interviews a variety of horticulture pros in a casual setting, asking them all about their times in horticulture. From what inspired them to start on their career paths to what brought them to where they are today, we get to hear some fun and interesting stories throughout their journeys. Learn about the history of how some well-known plants like the Wave® petunia came to be, exciting plant exploration stories from abroad, and some inspiration to get you thinking and tide us over until planting season begins. Whether you are an industry professional or simply a lover of plants, there is something for everyone.
The series will go live on March 6th and be available for viewing through the end of the month for a cost of $50. With six guests, and a presentation on the Arboretum and all the damage that was sustained, there will be hours of content to enjoy. Check here for all of the details.
