Cultivating Knowledge: A Lecture Series, Reflections on a Career in Horticulture and a Vision for the Future of the South Carolina Botanical Garden

Join Martin Hamilton, Executive Director of the South Carolina Botanical Garden at Clemson University, for his presentation in Kalmia Gardens? adult education series, Cultivating Knowledge: A Lecture Series, at the Joslin Education Center. Pre-registration is required and tickets may be purchased for $5 here. This presentation will be live-streamed virtually at the Joslin Education Center, where Martin will present digitally.

Martin will be virtually presenting his lecture Reflections on a Career in Horticulture and a Vision for the Future of the South Carolina Botanical Garden. He will discuss his career in horticulture before transitioning to his role as Executive Director of the South Carolina Botanical Garden at Clemson University. The presentation will highlight the vital role botanic gardens play in biodiversity conservation and how many botanical gardens act as safe havens for rare and endangered plant species by cultivating them outside their natural habitats (ex-situ conservation), which includes seed banking and safeguarding collections. The presentation will include insights into the work of SCBG including plant propagation and conservation projects and the crucial role in educating the public about the importance of biodiversity and the threats to it. The presentation will look at some of the on-going work at the garden and new projects and initiatives that are helping conserve native plants. The presentation will finish with a look at the workshops, volunteer programs, and educational events that are held at SCBG.

Martin Hamilton is a native of Kentucky and has worked and studied at institutions in the USA and abroad, including Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest in Kentucky, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew in the United Kingdom, and Oak Spring Garden Foundation in Virginia. Martin is an Honorary Research Associate at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and a Fellow of The Linnean Society of London. He is particularly interested in the conservation and management of threatened species, habitat restoration, and the development and management of plant collections. Martin is a member of the South Carolina Native Plant Society and is an avid gardener. Martin started as the Executive Director of the South Carolina Botanical Garden at Clemson University in August 2023.

The Joslin Education Center is located at 1520 W. Carolina Avenue, Hartsville, SC 29550.

NOTE: This presentation will be held live in the Joslin Education Center, but will be live streamed with the presenter not physically present in the room.