We have three full-time staff: Eric Larson, the Manager, Dave Garinger, Curator of Greenhouse Plant Collections, and Christopher Bolick, Horticulturist-in-training.

Dave has been at Yale University working at Marsh Gardens since September 1981. Dave grew up in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, attended Penn State University and came to Yale immediately after graduating from that institution’s horticulture program. Dave’s duties involve the indoor collections and support of research and instruction, especially in working with growth chambers and greenhouse space. He researches and finds suppliers for the plants requested by professors and labs. His work in redesigning the indoor displays has enhanced the collections and provided a more meaningful experience for visitors.

Eric has been at Yale since April 2003, coming from Philadelphia where he had worked for Haverford College for 15 years as supervisor of the Arboretum Crew. He did his undergraduate work at Skidmore College and trained at Longwood Gardens’ Professional Gardeners’ Training Program. Besides oversight of the day-to-day operations of the garden, Eric is charged with the care of the outside gardens, and works closely with Tim Nelson, Director of the Gardens, on planning, budget and other programmatic issues.

Chris grew up in Newburyport, Massachusetts, attended Sarah Lawrence College, and sought out the tranquility of the gardens in 2006, after an extended foray into the wilds of newspaper reporting and public radio. Per his moniker of horticulturist-in-training, Chris assists both Dave and Eric with the indoor and outdoor collections, on the condition that he gets to sponge their know-how.

There are three academic calendar student interns as well as two summer interns who work in the gardens.