Piedmont Garden Club welcomes the community to attend a discussion by Dr. Ari Novy, President and CEO of the San Diego Botanic Garden, on “Gardens for a Changing Planet: Towards a 21st Century Botanic Garden” on Jan. 15, 2025 from 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. at Piedmont Community Hall.
Botanic gardens are more than just beautiful public parks — they play important roles in plant science and conservation. Novy, an internationally recognized leader in the horticultural world, will show how botanic gardens are adapting as the climate changes and share how these important green spaces are the site of research into medicinal, native, and food and agricultural plants.
In addition to his role at the Garden, Novy is an active researcher, holding an appointment as Adjunct Associate Professor at Salk Institute for Biological Studies. He is the founding co-chair of the Food and Agriculture Professional Section of the American Public Gardens Association and has served on task forces and advisory panels for diverse groups including the White House Council on Environmental Quality, the Cornell Alliance for Science, Botanic Garden Conservation International, Rock Creek National Park, the Garden Club of America, the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization, and many others. In 2024, he became an honorary member of the Garden Club of America.
Located in the East Bay Hills of the San Francisco Bay, the Piedmont Garden Club was founded in 1923 and has been a part of the Garden Club of America since 1926. Piedmont Garden Club members meet monthly to learn about garden-related topics including garden and floral design, garden photography, horticulture and environmental conservation. Other activities include hands-on workshops, field trips and work projects.