KIRTLAND, Ohio (June 22, 2026) — Holden Forests & Gardens (HF&G) has appointed Rama Lopez-Rivera, an internationally recognized horticultural leader, plant explorer, and public garden professional, as its new Director of Arboretum Horticulture.
Lopez-Rivera brings more than 20 years of experience in public horticulture, living collections management, botanical curation, and garden leadership in some of the world’s most respected gardens and arboreta. He most recently worked as an independent horticultural consultant and previously Head Gardener at Ramster Garden in England, as well as working and training at The Crown Estate at Windsor Great Park, Sonoma Botanical Garden in California, and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
A graduate of the prestigious Longwood Gardens Fellows Program, Lopez-Rivera also completed a leadership placement at Holden Forests & Gardens in 2023, where he worked with staff on organizational development and collaboration initiatives.
“Rama brings an extraordinary combination of horticultural expertise, global perspective, leadership experience, and passion for public gardens,” said Ed Moydell, President and CEO of Holden Forests & Gardens. “His deep knowledge of living collections and botanical curation, combined with his commitment to connecting people with plants, makes him an exceptional addition to our leadership team. We are thrilled to welcome him to Holden Forests & Gardens.”
Trained through the University of Glasgow and the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh’s horticulture degree program, Lopez-Rivera is widely recognized for his expertise in woody plants, particularly those of East Asia and North America. His fieldwork and plant exploration have taken him throughout Asia and North America, contributing to the understanding, conservation, and interpretation of temperate woody flora.
As Director of Arboretum Horticulture, Lopez-Rivera will oversee horticultural operations, living collections, and long-term landscape development across the Holden Arboretum core garden areas.
“Holden Forests & Gardens is one of the most exciting organizations in public horticulture today, combining world-class science, conservation, education, and horticulture,” said Lopez-Rivera. “I am honored to join the organization and look forward to working alongside the talented staff, volunteers, and supporters who care so deeply about its mission. Together, we will continue to cultivate inspiring landscapes while ensuring our collections remain valuable resources for research, conservation, and future generations.”
About Holden Forests & Gardens
Holden Forests & Gardens is made up of two of Northeast Ohio’s most important environmental and cultural institutions—the Holden Arboretum and Cleveland Botanical Garden—whose mission is to connect people with the wonder, beauty, and value of trees and plants, to inspire action for healthy communities. One of the largest public gardens in the country, Holden Forests & Gardens, has over 22,000 member households and an annual attendance of over 300,000 for whom we strive to provide inspirational and educational visitor experiences. Holden’s science, conservation, and urban forestry work is widely acclaimed and helping to save native trees in the Great Lakes region and beyond.
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