NEWARK, Ohio — Peter Lowe, senior coordinator of Horticulture Education and Community Impact at The Dawes Arboretum in Newark, said the best part of his job is connecting with visitors and students, over the love of plants, nature and eco-systems.
“I’ve always been the outdoorsy kid you know, roaming through the woods, running through fields, but it was my love of science and art that actually really drew me to this career,” said Lowe. “Really changes the dynamic and the understand of a plant from being just this beautiful thing that you look at to this absolutely necessary piece of life that you are connected to in ways that you have not even imagined.”
In addition to planting season, it’s also Dawes’ spring week of community engagement, covering Earth and Arbor Day.
Lowe said the goal is to plant 1,500 trees this spring season, a necessary move to improve the environment and ecosystem.
“Trees do everything from pulling carbon out of the atmosphere, oxygen production to soil stabilization and they prevent erosion. Oak tree, in and of itself, is the source for 500-plus butterflies and moths,” said Lowe.
Lowe said if you don’t live by an arboretum, there’s something simple all residents of the Buckeye State can do to make a difference this spring.
“The best place to start is put a plant in the ground. Especially the native plants that insects and other polony are just absolutely adore is important. But if you had the opportunity to plant a tree, now’s the time to do it,” said Lowe.
The Dawes Arboretum of Newark is hosting its annual Arbor Day Festival on Saturday, April 30. For more information, click here.
