News Published: 23 May 2024

The United States Botanic Garden (USBG) welcomes Amy Highland as its new Curator. Previously Director of Collections and Conservation Lead at Mt. Cuba Center in Delaware, Highland succeeds the previous USBG Curator Bill McLaughlin after his retirement.

Highland brings a wealth of botanical knowledge, especially in North American native plants. With almost two decades of public garden experience, she has an extensive background in plant collecting, having made more than 20 collecting trips throughout the Eastern Temperate Forests ecoregion with over 300 collections. Highland is co-author of “The Conservation Status of Trillium in North America” as well as “The Flora of Delaware” and has authored and co-authored many journal publications.

Amy has lectured and taught extensively on subjects ranging from native plants to collections management and conservation and has served on regional and national committees and colloquia regarding native plants, plant conservation, and plant collections, including recently serving as chair of the Plant Collections Network for the American Public Gardens Association. She holds a degree in Public Horticulture from Purdue University.

“I’m excited to join the U.S. Botanic Garden as I expand my plant collections focus to a national and international scope,” said Highland. “I look forward to working with the USBG team to prioritize a plant collection that will further the Garden’s work in both conservation and education.”

“Amy brings a great depth of horticultural knowledge and experience to our USBG team,” said Dr. Susan K. Pell, Executive Director of the United States Botanic Garden. “We are very excited to have her lead the curation of our plant collection and help us advance plant conservation here at the Garden and around the world.”