New England Botanic Garden Announces New Director of Education
Marissa Gallant of Worcester will bring youth education expertise to leadership role
New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill recently announced that Marissa Gallant will be its new Director of Education. Gallant will oversee one of the Garden’s largest departments, a team responsible for developing a robust annual calendar of adult, family, and youth education programs, as well as coordinating major public events, arts and culture exhibitions, and volunteer and intern opportunities.
Gallant first joined the New England Botanic Garden team as Manager of Youth Education in 2018. In this position, she brought science education to thousands of children and youth across the region each year through field trips, scout programs, birthday parties, family classes, drop-in activities, community outreach programs, and more. Over five years, Gallant grew the Garden’s youth education offerings, increasing both operating revenue and program participation by exponential margins. During the Garden’s last fiscal year, nearly 10,000 children and youth participated in educational programs.
“We are thrilled to announce Marissa as the Garden’s new of Director of Education,” says Grace Elton CEO of New England Botanic Garden. “Marissa’s passion for the environment and for nature-based learning helped transform our youth education programming. She’s a natural connector dedicated to expanding opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to learn about and engage with the natural world. We can’t wait to see where her leadership will take them team next.”
“It’s an honor to step into this role,” says Marissa Gallant. “I look forward to building upon our organization’s existing relationships in the community, forging new partnerships, and continuing to grow programs that will allow the Garden to bring nature-based education to more communities, adults, children, and families than ever before.”
Gallant is from Worcester, MA, and holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from Roger Williams University as well as a Master of Science in Environmental Science from Clark University. Gallant has more than eight years of experience in the field of environmental education and has shared her passion and excitement for this work in roles at many organizations in the region over the years including the EcoTarium, Mass Audubon, and Boston-based ‘e’ inc. In 2022, she was selected for the Class of 40 Under 40 by the Worcester Business Journal.
To learn more about New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill visit www.nebg.org.
About New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill
New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill is a nonprofit organization located at 11 French Drive in Boylston, MA. A regional destination, we are operated on 171 acres by the Worcester County Horticultural Society, one of the oldest of its kind in the country, and are open to the public for garden viewing, trail walking, activities, private events, educational classes, weddings, exhibitions, and more. We are an AAM-accredited museum that includes an irreplaceable collection of plants. We hope to engage you in a life-long passion for growing plants for their ornamental, economic, and ecological value. Learn all about New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill including its history, mission, and its staff, please visit www.nebg.org.