After 16 years as Director of the Botanic Garden at GSU, Carolyn Altman is retiring. Carolyn’s colorful background includes an undergraduate degree in Biology, and experience as a dancer, choreographer, writer, and artist. An avid outdoorsperson, Carolyn loves to be in nature and loves to see how community and things grow together -- “whether that's plants or people," she says. She enjoys walking in the serenity of the garden trails and is also a cycler —traveling to all parts of the country to bike.
If you have ever had the pleasure of meeting Carolyn, you know her love of nature, community and the Botanic Garden radiates through her. She said the Garden became very important to her because she wanted to provide a space for people who had nowhere to experience being in nature. It was her motivation to build a beautiful space working alongside her coworkers and students.
According to Bob Randolph, Assistant Garden Director, Carolyn has impacted every aspect of their operation.
“She arrived as our Educator with amazing energy and a talent for connecting with the kids who came to learn about plants and nature," Randolph said. "She inspired our educational programs with her passion for nature and insights about experiential learning.”
Originally from Oregon, Carolyn moved to Georgia around 2006 and began her career in the Garden as the Education Coordinator. During her work in that position, she oversaw teacher training to help teachers utilize hands-on experience in the Garden. Thousands of children were educated about the coastal plain science and history of the Garden and region.
According to Carolyn, “With the addition of the exceptional Botanic Garden Education team, these programs have evolved and continue to serve thousands each year, most notably through Project Eaglet, which brings every Bulloch County first through fifth grader to Georgia Southern's outreach units, where they experience some of the best Georgia Southern has to offer and can imagine futures as Georgia Southern students.”
In 2008, Carolyn became director of the Garden. During her tenure as director, she oversaw construction of The Heritage Pavilion and courtyards, expansion of the native gardens, the addition of the Grow Zone and orchard, and installation of an urban forest, renovation of of the Bland Cottage and Kennedy Outdoor Classroom, and the addition of the Oak Grove One Room Schoolhouse.
Carolyn was also one of the founders of the Main Street Farmers Market, which began in the Botanic Garden's field. She brought public festivals and concerts to the Garden, planted trees throughout the area, and celebrated the Garden and Bulloch County on numerous boards and commissions.
Carolyn's baby, so to speak, is the permeable parking lot installed several years ago, which allows rainwater to percolate down through the gravel to help reduce flooding, erosion, and run off.
“The parking lot was thrilling to be able to build, with the help of Bob Randolph, assistant director, and the President of GSU at the time, along with the help of grants,” she said. The parking lot has required zero repairs since its installation.
As Director of the Garden, Carolyn has used her skills as a writer to gain necessary grants, which the Garden relies on, along with donations from Garden members. Carolyn says all this would not be possible without generous donations from members.
“It’s been a great privilege to work with such great people in this community who care about our Garden," she said.
She said she has always been an artist, as well. “[The Garden has] been a fabulous place to make art," she recalled. "It’s the been the perfect job for me. I got to do all the parts of me, and I have fabulous colleagues and a community to make this place what it is.”
Her co-workers would undoubtedly concur.
“Her influence and creative eye has left a mark on all aspects of the Garden from the plants to the layout to the events and programs offered to the public," Randolph said. "There will never be another Carolyn for the Garden, but we do intend to find a replacement that can use her many contributions to move the Garden to an even more prominent role in the region.”
Carolyn plans to continue cycling, traveling, and visiting family in her retirement. She says it has been lots of fun and lots of work. "What a thing to have as your life!” she said. “I feel so fortunate to know that I had the good fortune to be able to put trees and plants in the ground and to be part of making such a beautiful space. The Botanic Garden is very important to me; it’ a magical place, and I want it to maintain that magic.”
A farewell celebration was held August 10th under the Heritage Pavilion at the Botanic Garden to wish Carolyn well on her new journey in life. Her last day at the Garden will be August 30, 2023.
For a virtual tour of the garden, click here.
