New Director Announced for Olbrich Botanical Gardens
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The Madison Parks Division and the Olbrich Botanical Society are pleased to announce that Tanya Zastrow has accepted the position as Director of Olbrich Botanical Gardens. Lisa Laschinger, Madison Parks Assistant Superintendent, commented, “Tanya is well-suited to lead the Olbrich team into the future due to her leadership skills, team-approach, strategic planning experience, focus on diversity, and ability to develop authentic relationships.”
Ms. Zastrow brings 18 years of experience working in all aspects of public gardens, including volunteer and internship management and nature-based programming. Since 2015, she has been the Director of Programs at Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center at the University of Texas Austin overseeing the education and volunteer programs and staff. In addition, Ms. Zastrow’s previous experience includes positions as the supervisory education specialist and volunteer/intern program coordinator at the U.S. National Arboretum; the first center director for Welty Environmental Center in Beloit, Wis.; and service as an environmental education volunteer with the Peace Corps in Nicaragua.
“I'm beyond excited to accept the position of Olbrich Botanical Gardens Director. The Gardens are well respected in the public garden world and enjoyed by visitors from all over. I look forward to joining the Olbrich Botanical Gardens staff and becoming a part of the Madison community,” commented Ms. Zastrow.
Ms. Zastrow graduated from UW-Madison with a Bachelor of Science in Zoological and Biological Aspects of Conservation, Ms. Zastrow received her Master’s Degree in Parks and Recreation Resource Management from Frostburg State University.
In addition to her career at botanic gardens and arboreta across the country, Ms. Zastrow’s experience with the Cities Connecting Children with Nature initiative and membership in the American Public Gardens Association will serve her well in her new role as Director. She has also received accolades for her leadership skills and was recently nominated by her staff and awarded the University of Texas Austin 2021 Outstanding Supervisor Award.
Ms. Zastrow starts her new role as Director of Olbrich Botanical Gardens on November 1, 2021.
Olbrich Botanical Gardens is operated as a public-private partnership between the City of Madison Parks Division and the non-profit Olbrich Botanical Society.
For more information about the Madison Parks Division, visit www.cityofmadison.com/parks.
Olbrich Botanical Gardens is located in Madison, Wisconsin on the shore of Lake Monona at 3330 Atwood Avenue. For more information, call 608-246-4550 or visit www.olbrich.org.
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