Meet Ari Novy of San Diego Botanic Garden

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ari Novy

Hi Ari, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I was raised by a single mother and my grandparents until I was 9. My grandparents were florists in New Jersey and avid gardeners. They planted the seeds for my interest in plants. After a winding path, I ended up as an estate gardener at a historic villa in Florence, Italy. From there on I was hooked. I found my way to graduate school and earned a PhD in Plant Biology. My first job post graduate school was running the education and science programs at the US Botanic Garden in Washington DC. Eventually, I became Executive Director of the US Botanic Garden and when I had the chance to apply to be CEO of San Diego Botanic Garden, I jumped at the opportunity. Now I get to help grow San Diego Botanic Garden so we can enrich people’s lives through plants.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It was more of a winding road than a rough road, but no road is smooth. I think the hardest part has been learning how to manage people and budgets. I was trained as a scientist so executive leadership skills are something I had to acquire. Managing people is by far the hardest and most rewarding job.

We’ve been impressed with San Diego Botanic Garden , but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
San Diego Botanic Garden is a botanical oasis designed to encourage people of all ages and backgrounds to explore the natural world that surrounds us. We are a 37 acre property featuring 4 miles of trails, over 5,000 plant species and varieties, and 29 themed gardens – from a lush tropical rainforest to the largest bamboo collection in North America. Throughout the year, you can find a huge variety of classes, workshops, lectures, tours, exhibitions, and special events happening at the Garden. Highlights include our spring World of Orchids exhibition, along with our winter Lightscape showcase during the holidays featuring a one-mile trail illuminated by incredible art installations. Our SAPLinGS (Science, Art, and PLay in Garden Spaces) program offers weekly activities for kids and their caregivers that focus on sparking curiosity for plants and the environment.

What people may not know about us is our work outside the Garden’s 37 acres. We developed a Science & Conservation department in 2019, which has grown immensely in just five years. Our major projects fall within three pillars: native plants, medicinal plants, and food and agricultural plants. Working in our nurseries and out in the field, ongoing activities of focus include conservation horticulture; seed banking; rare plant and habitat surveying, monitoring, and collecting; characterizing, evaluating, and distributing plants; environmental restoration; conservation planning; and science outreach and education.Our team is proud to be involved in projects that work to address our biggest local and global challenges, including biodiversity loss, climate change, malnutrition, and environmental degradation.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
When I was starting out I got the most amazing advice. I was told to find a profession I was passionate about that also served important societal needs. Once you have that, all you need to do is commit to high quality work that moves the needle and interesting things will happen. I could never have guessed or planned my career, but I can absolutely say that passion, service and a commitment to excellence are a potent combination.

Pricing:

• Adults $18
• Youth 3-17 $10
• Child (under 3) Free
• Members Free

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sdbg.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sandiegobotanicgarden
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SDBotanicGarden
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/SanDiegoBotanicGarden