The Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Tom Smarr as the new Executive Director of Jenkins Arboretum & Gardens. Tom will succeed Dr. Harold Sweetman, who grew the garden from the ground up and served as Jenkins’ Executive Director for 33 years.
Tom Smarr comes to Jenkins with over two decades of experience in horticulture, conservation, botanic gardens and public parks. He holds a master’s degree in urban horticulture from the University of Washington, and has worked for institutions such as the University of Washington Botanic Gardens, New England Wild Flower Society’s “Garden in the Woods”, the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway and the High Line. Most recently, he led garden and natural areas design for The Parklands of Floyds Fork, a nearly 4,000-acre ribbon of parks in Louisville, KY opened in 2016 by 21st Century Parks Inc. Tom assumes his new role on June 24, 2019.
A native of Pennsylvania, Tom stated, “It is a great honor to return home to lead this beautiful and important garden so expertly grown by Dr. Harold Sweetman. I am excited to expand on the many initiatives already taking place at Jenkins: a well-documented plant collection, a robust endowment campaign, educational experiences focused on environmental horticulture and a free visitor experience for the community. Alongside a terrific and dedicated staff, I look forward to utilizing the resources that Jenkins can provide to further the mission and connect people with our natural world. Great collaborative support will bring forth great achievements as we further the Jenkins legacy.”