Arboretum Director Olin Inducted into MNLA Hall of Fame
Chanhassen, Minn. (Jan. 15) - The Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association (MNLA) recently inducted Peter Olin, director of the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, into the MNLA Hall of Fame. The announcement was made during the recent Minnesota Green Expo at the Minneapolis Convention Center.
The MNLA Hall of Fame honors leaders who have given longtime service to the association and the industry.
"Peter has been a giant in the effort to connect the public with plants and landscaping," said outgoing MNLA President Tim Power.
Under Olin's guidance, the Arboretum has grown into a world-class public garden with a solid reputation for excellence in public education and research. His leadership was responsible for very popular summer exhibitions - from "Secret Gardens," "Totally Terrific Treehouses" and "Big Bugs" to last year's "Art to A-Maze" - that have resulted in increased attendance numbers - especially among families - and impressive membership numbers.
Olin's 24-year career as Arboretum director has been notable for several innovations. The Arboretum's internationally recognized Therapeutic Horticulture Program was initiated under Olin's watch, as well as a growing list of family activities and adult-education classes.
The Arboretum's new 45,000-square foot Oswald Visitor Center opened to much acclaim and fanfare in 2005, also during Olin's directorship. Following is a sampling of Arboretum innovations and improvements that were realized during Olin's career: Spring Peeper Meadow model wetland restoration, Pillsbury Tree Exhibit, Dayton Wildflower Garden reconstruction, MacMillan Terrace Garden, Irvine Sensory Garden and Horticultural Therapy Center, Staples Lilac Walk and Hueg Lilac Collection reconstruction, Bailey Shrub Walk, Capen Prairie Garden, Broadleaf Rhododendron Garden, Parking Lot Rain Gardens, Andrus Learning Center Addition, Andersen Horticultural Library addition, Nelson Rose Garden reconstruction and much more.
Olin has served as president of both the Minnesota Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects and the National Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture. In addition to a long list of church and community service involvements, he served many years as a judge of the MNLA Landscape Design Awards. In 1993, Olin was named a "fellow" with the American Society of Landscape Architects
Olin received a bachelor's degree in landscape design and ornamental horticulture from Cornell University in 1961 and in 1971 received a master of landscape architecture degree from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
After working in private industry as a landscape architect, he became a professor of horticultural science and landscape architecture at the University of Minnesota in 1974. In 1985, he was named director of the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Olin and his wife, Bonnie, have one daughter, Zubi.
The MNLA is the state's largest green industry trade association with over 1,500 member companies. Members include nurseries, garden center, landscape contractors, landscape designers, irrigation contractors, commercial flower growers, tree care specialists, professional gardening services and turf and landscape management professionals.
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Editors: For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact Barbara DeGroot at 952-443-1459,