What is your position? 

Collections Horticulturist and Plants Record Technologist

How long have you been part of the team?

May 2010

What is your favourite thing about The Arboretum?

Every day of working at The Arboretum, Polly finds something new to be her favourite. 

Qualifications: 

Diploma of Horticulture from Vancouver Island University 

BFA from Concordia University 

Masters in Landscape Architecture from University of Guelph 

ISA certified arborist since 2015, member of the American Conifer Society and Society of Ecological Restoration  

Contact: psamland@uoguelph.ca

Additional Information:

As collections horticulturist, Polly is responsible for caring for and developing the living collections, including planting new specimens, site adjustments, plant protection, invasive species control, disease and insect monitoring, maintenance of weeding and pruning, and seed collection. As plant records technologist, she is responsible for tracking and creating accessions, record-keeping, and updating mapping, inventory, plant labeling and taxonomy. She provides targeted horticultural training and interpretation of collections, and works with a wonderful group of colleagues, seasonal crew and volunteers.  Polly loves the opportunity to combine all of these things -the practical and the theoretical- and to experience and learn from the seasonal patterns and annual growth and decline within these unique collections and communities The Arboretum is made of.