It is exciting for me to have the opportunity to support the work at the Conservatory of Flowers. For the past four years, I have been working in the neighborhood parks of San Francisco in Noe Valley, the Castro, Bernal Heights and the Mission. My new position is a homecoming for me in a couple of ways. First, because I began my San Francisco Recreation and Parks career in Golden Gate Park and secondly because a significant portion of my early horticultural career was spent 'under glass'. One of my first positions in the field was caring for a conservatory collection at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Ironically, one of the areas under my care was the Mediterranean collection, where we grew many plants common to the Bay Area landscape in a conservatory setting. It was actually quite a challenge to grow such plants as Eucalyptus ficifolia and Ceanothus in a greenhouse.

I have spent the past weeks getting to know the staff and am looking forward to working with them. Their knowledge and abilities give me confidence we will continue to provide the same high level of horticulture and educational programing that are the hallmark of the Conservatory of Flowers. In addition to the staff, there are many other contributors who support our operation with their time, energy and knowledge. I am also looking forward to getting to know all of these community partners who play such an important role at the Conservatory. Thanks to everyone for the warm welcome and support!

-Send 'em out in style: On October 18, party like it's 99 million years ago! We'll toast their extinction and build mini-terrariums to give little dinos a home with us forever.