BOYLSTON, MA, January 6, 2025 – New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill recently announced Steven Conaway, PhD, as its new Director of Horticulture. Conaway, who brings more than a decade of experience in public horticulture and conservation, will oversee a team of gardeners and land stewards, heading initiatives that build the significance of the Garden’s plant collections, expand sustainable horticulture practices, and advance New England Botanic Garden as a world-class public garden.
“We are thrilled to announce Dr. Conaway as the Garden’s new Director of Horticulture,” says Grace Elton CEO of New England Botanic Garden. “Steve’s impressive background in public gardens and plant science, along with his passion for sustainability will surely help our Garden grow, in alignment with our strategic plan, as a resource for the region and a leader in ecological horticulture.”
Prior to accepting the role with New England Botanic Garden, Conaway served as Associate Director of Horticulture at Wave Hill, a public garden of renown based in the Bronx. While in this position, he also taught classes for New York Botanical Garden’s Sustainable Horticulture Design certificate program. Earlier in his career, Conaway directed ecological restoration efforts across 750 acres of protected open space at Connecticut’s Greenwich Land Trust. He studied environmental horticulture at the University of New Hampshire and earned his doctoral degree studying plant pathology at The Pennsylvania State University.
“I am delighted to join such a talented team in a stunning garden with a rich horticultural heritage. I look forward to contributing to the Garden’s ambitious plans and setting standards of creativity and excellence for New England horticulture,” says Conaway.
Conaway steps into a leadership position at a garden that has experienced tremendous growth over the recent years of CEO Grace Elton’s tenure. Today, New England Botanic Garden spans 200 acres and welcomes more than 200,000 annual visitors. Its horticulture department maintains a diverse array of formal and naturalistic gardens, subtropical conservatories, managed woodlands, trails, meadows, and growing facilities. Notable plant collections, like a historic heirloom apple orchard, celebrate the organization’s agrarian roots. New England Botanic Garden is owned and operated by the Worcester County Horticultural Society, one of the oldest societies of its kind in the country. The Garden also demonstrates a commitment to environmental stewardship and to protecting the region’s natural resources. In 2022, New England Botanic Garden became the first botanic garden in the country to earn Green Zone Certification from the American Green Zone Alliance for its efforts to decarbonize its horticulture operations.
To learn more about New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill visit www.nebg.org.
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About New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill
New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill is a nonprofit organization located at 11 French Drive in Boylston, Massachusetts. A regional destination, the Garden is operated on 200 acres by the Worcester County Horticultural Society, one of the oldest of its kind in the country, and is open to the public for garden viewing, trail walking, educational programs, private events, weddings, exhibitions, and more. In 2023, New England Botanic Garden was voted “Top Botanic Garden in the U.S.” by TravelAwaits. New England Botanic Garden is an AAM-accredited museum that includes an irreplaceable collection of plants and creates opportunities for visitors to experience the wonder of plants, learn about the natural world, and make joyful connections. Learn all about New England Botanic Garden including its history, mission, and its staff at www.nebg.org.
