For immediate release 
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Judy Hohmann, 952-443-1445                                                       
             

Arboretum Hires New Director

Edward L. Schneider to start this summer

Chanhassen, Minn. (March 29, 2010) - The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum will welcome a new director later this summer, Edward L. Schneider, currently president and CEO of the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden in California. Schneider will join the Arboretum as its fourth director, since its was founded nearly 52 years ago. Schneider will also serve as a professor in the Department of Horticulture Science at the university.

"The Arboretum will benefit greatly from Schneider’s leadership and experience as it continues to grow as a community resource and popular environmental attraction in this challenging economy," stated Dean Allen S. Levine of the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS) at the University of Minnesota, of which the Arboretum is a part. The Arboretum, located in Chanhassen, is a premier public garden, with more than 1,215 acres of gardens, woodlands and natural areas; and 115 year-round employees.

Since 1992, Schneider has headed the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, located on 65 acres in historic Mission Canyon, and featuring over 1000 species of rare and indigenous plants. He has also served as adjunct professor at the University of California at Santa Barbara. Prior to that, Schneider held faculty appointments at Texas State University, most recently as dean of the College of Science for more than eight years.

"The University of Minnesota allows me to combine my two passions, teaching and directing a world-respected garden. My career began as a professor and, for the past 18 years, I've led the Santa Barbara Garden," stated Schneider.

After an extensive national search and series of interviews with several candidates, a search committee recommended the hiring of Schneider to Emily Hoover, professor and head of the department of Horticultural Science in CFANS, and negotiations with Schneider were completed recently.  

Arboretum Director Emeritus Peter J. Olin stepped down in June 2008 after serving the Arboretum for 24 years. The Peter J. Olin Directorship Endowment was established in his honor to endow the director’s position. Professor Mary H. Meyer has served as Interim Director for the past two years, expertly guiding the Arboretum to record visitorship and membership in 2009 and increasing partnerships within the University, the larger and corporate community to support education and the mission of the Arboretum.

-The End-