News

Bullington hires new education director

By Lightning Reports, Published: September 3, 2022

Bullington Gardens, a non-profit horticultural education center and public gardens, announces the appointment of Tracy Calla as its new education director, effective Aug. 1. 

After an extensive search process led by members of Bullington Gardens leadership, Henderson County Public Schools and N.C. Cooperative Extension Service, Calla was selected to replace John Murphy, who retired from Bullington Gardens after 23 years.

Calla was the senior Mmanager of School and Family Programs at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota, Florida, where she also worked for several years as a greenhouse horticulturist. With degrees in both theatre and horticulture, and almost 20 years of professional horticultural experience, she is also a Certified Interpretive Guide, a trainer for national environmental education curricula including Leave No Trace and Project Learning Tree and a horticultural therapist. Calla is a firm believer in the value and importance of plants and the power of nature-based experiences for people of all ages. 

“Tracy Calla’s leadership skills, commitment to education, and energetic personality make her an exceptional individual for the role of Education Director,” said Annie Higgins, Bullington’s administrative director. “We are confident that Bullington’s success and impact in achieving its mission and vision will continue to flourish under her leadership.” 

For more information, visit bullingtongardens.org or call 828-698-6104.