NPS Chief Horticulturist to Speak at NCSAF Walking Tour, Tues. Sept. 27, 2011
Report on the Walk

On Tuesday, September 27th, NCSAF will host a luncheon walk with Rob DeFeo, Chief Horticulturist of the National Park Service’s National Capital Region. The walk will begin at 11:45 outside the Smithsonian Metro Station, meander through the elms on the National Mall, past the new Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial, and end at the Tidal Basin at 1 pm. Rob will be discussing the constant challenge of keeping the stately trees alive and thriving and the new challenge increased foot traffic poses to the groves of old cherry trees.

Please bring your lunch and eat with us from 11:30-11:45 on the grass near the metro. Please note that due to the nature of this “walking luncheon” there will not be a business meeting portion to the luncheon. The walk for us foresters will go rain or shine (barring exceptional circumstances), so please dress accordingly.

Location: Mall exit for the Smithsonian Metro, near Whitten Bldg, (12th & Jefferson SW)

RSVP: While RSVPs are not required, if you are bringing non-NCSAF members as guests, which is encouraged, please let Bryan Petit know (brp@obpa.usda.gov), as unfortunately we have had to cap the group size.

Rob DeFeo – Chief Horticulturist

Rob DeFeo is the Chief Horticulturist for the National Park Service, National Capital Region—a position he has held for over 20 years. Prior to this position Rob was a Horticulturist at the US Botanic Garden, the National Parks Service National Capital Parks-East, and the US National Arboretum. He has also been a Plant Research Officer at the Kenya Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute while in the Peace Corps in Nairobi.

Rob says his unofficial title is “Glorified Florist.” He is well-known for his work predicting the timing for the peak of the cherry blossom bloom around the Tidal Basin. A Washington Post article showcases some of his methods.