Mark Akimoff has been named Garden Manager | Curator of the Lord & Schryver Conservancy (LSC). In this position, Mark will be responsible for managing the restoration and maintenance of the historic garden at Gaiety Hollow as well as provide oversight of the Lord & Schryver-designed gardens at neighboring Deepwood. Mark will also supervise the LSC volunteer gardeners and support the organization’s community programming.

Mark comes to LSC with over 20 years of experience in historic garden management, botany, propagation, irrigation, IPM, volunteer supervision and community education. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Horticulture from Oregon State University.

Mark began his career as a propagator at the historic Berry Botanic Garden in Portland OR working with rare and endangered native plants and managing the curatorial collection. At Berry, Mark was fortunate to be mentored by several highly skilled plantsmen who instilled in him a love of alpine gardens as well as a passion for rare bulbs and other unique cultivars.

When Berry closed, Mark joined McMenamins Edgefield in Troutdale OR as an Assistant Garden Manager where he supervised a team of gardeners in managing a diverse landscape situated among historical buildings. Next, Mark accepted the position of Groundskeeper at the Oregon School for the Blind (now closed) which was located close to Gaiety Hollow. “This was one of my favorite jobs…designing unique sensory gardens for students to experience,” Mark says. “Plus, what I learned about the school’s microclimate and cultural conditions can be applied to Gaiety Hollow.”

After 10 years as an estate gardener, Mark joined Salem’s Public Works Department in Storm Water Management including wetlands, riparian restorations, bio-swales and rain-gardens. Most recently, Mark worked for Keizer’s Public Works Department educating community members and students on botany, urban forestry, botanical research and using plants to solve environmental problems.

“We are thrilled to have Mark as our new Garden Manager | Curator” said Lord & Schryver Conservancy Board Chair, Bobbie Dolp. “Mark’s strong horticulture background, experience working in historic gardens and positive interpersonal skills make him ideal for this position” she adds.

About the Lord & Schryver Conservancy

LSC was formed in 2005 to preserve and celebrate the legacy of Elizabeth Lord and Edith Schryver who operated the first female-owned landscape architecture firm in the Pacific Northwest. Together, they designed over 250 gardens in the Northwest from 1929 to 1969. LSC owns “Gaiety Hollow,” the historic home, garden and office of Lord and Schryver, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The property is a cultural and educational resource for the community. LSC also maintains the historic Lord & Schryver gardens at Deepwood Museum & Gardens. For more information go to: pam@lordschryver.org