Lesley Parness, Morris County Park Commission (The Frelinghuysen Arboretum, Willowwood Arboretum and Bamboo Brook Outdoor Education Center)
www.lesleyparness.com
Parness@verizon.net

Lesley Parness has served as Superintendent of Horticultural Education at The Morris County Park Commission for the past 14 years. In this capacity, she oversees programming at The Frelinghuysen Arboretum, Willowwood Arboretum and Bamboo Brook Outdoor Education Center. Lesley has worked at botanic gardens and museums around the world. Currently she consults with the Beijing Botanic Garden on Visitor Services for English language guests. She is a founding member of Garden State Gardens and has served on its Executive Board for the past decade. A lifelong gardener, her interests are herbs, food crops, garden history and design.

• Medicinal Plants of the Civil War: This illustrated talk traces the development of modern medicine through the crucible that was the American Civil War. Over 30 plants that were used for healing at the time, many of which are still prescribed, are detailed in this fascinating look at the way history and plants intertwine (talk length: 1 hour).
• UP – A Vertical Vegetable Gardening Primer: Description: When you are out of space, there is only one way to grow – UP! Learn about the many different options for maximizing your vegetable gardening space, the plants that grow best vertically and how to add a new and artistic dimension to your vegetable garden (talk length: 1 hour).
• The Green Heart of Beijing – Its Public Parks and Imperial Gardens: Lesley’s numerous visits to Beijing have resulted in this panoramic view of its many gardens. From the tiniest urban spaces planted all in bamboo to the great palace gardens of emperors past, travel through Beijing’s “Green Heart” and discover the flowering soul of this ancient city (talk length: 1 hour).