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About us

Metro Hort Group is a community of horticulture and landscape professionals across the NYC metropolitan region.

A graphic illustration depicting a raised fist enclosed within a virus-like structure, set against a green background. The design symbolizes activism or resistance in the context of health or social issues.
Our mission

We connect practitioners across the public and private sectors to cultivate plants, people, and places through education, employment, advocacy, and collaboration.

By uplifting the people who steward our shared environment, we contribute to a more resilient, equitable, and livable city.

A stylized graphic of an eye in black, outlined, and set against a bright green background. The eye features a circular pupil and a wavy line above, suggesting eyelashes.
Our vision

We envision a thriving and inclusive horticulture field where skilled, curious, and well-supported professionals can grow and excel.

These professionals play a vital role in caring for the landscapes that shape and enrich everyday life.

An illustration depicting various plant stages in growth, featuring small sprouts and larger plants on a gradient green background. The design showcases the progression of plants from seeds to fully grown forms, emphasizing growth and development.
Our values

At Metro Hort Group, we’re committed to excellence in horticulture and to building a forward-thinking, inclusive, and connected professional community.

We value innovation, continuous learning, equitable relationships, and responsible stewardship of both our landscapes and our profession.

Our history

Board of directors

President A woman seated outdoors among greenery, wearing a patterned shirt and a wide-brimmed straw hat. She is smiling, with her long hair falling over her shoulders, surrounded by lush plants in a garden setting.
Stephanie Lucas
Vice President A middle-aged man with glasses is seated outdoors among green foliage and purple flowers. He is smiling at the camera, wearing a black button-up shirt, with a blurred natural background enhancing the image.
Richard Hayden
Treasurer A man with salt-and-pepper hair wearing glasses smiles while sitting outdoors in front of lush green foliage. He is dressed in a light blue button-up shirt, with sunlight filtering through the leaves behind him.
Toshi Yano
Secretary A smiling man with short brown hair and blue eyes, wearing a blue and white checkered shirt. The background is blurred, focusing on his face and expression.
Scott Vonderheide
A man with a beard and mustache smiles while standing outdoors. He wears a gray baseball cap and a green button-up shirt. Behind him, there are green leaves and the texture of a stone wall, creating a natural backdrop.
Christopher Bivens
A man with short gray hair and a slight smile stands in front of greenery. He is wearing a dark green sweatshirt and appears to be outdoors, surrounded by leaves.
Rowan Blaik
A man with curly hair and glasses smiling outdoors. He is wearing a blue shirt and is positioned in front of green trees, suggesting a natural setting. The background features blurred structures, possibly tombstones, indicating a cemetery or memorial area.
Joseph Charap
A smiling man with a mustache wearing round glasses and a button-up shirt, standing against a plain white background. This image is intended for the 'About Us' page.
Liman Cheng
A woman with shoulder-length brown hair smiles softly, wearing a red jacket. She is outdoors with trees and a cloudy sky in the background, suggesting a calm and natural setting.
Sara Evans
A man with short dark hair and a beard smiles directly at the camera. He wears a plaid shirt and a black cap, with a neutral background. The image conveys a friendly demeanor, suitable for an About Us page.
Ben Flanner
A smiling man with an afro hairstyle stands outdoors among green foliage, wearing a blue t-shirt with the text "UNION GARAGE" printed on it. The background features blurred leaves, indicating a natural setting.
Rashid Poulson
A man with short, light brown hair and a beard smiles at the camera, standing outdoors in front of leafy green foliage. He is wearing a blue checkered shirt. The background includes various shades of green leaves.
Duncan Himmelman
A person wearing glasses, a hoodie, and a rain jacket smiles while holding up a large root vegetable with green leaves. The background includes trees and greenery, indicating an outdoor setting.
Evelyn Manlove
A woman with shoulder-length brown hair and earrings stands outdoors against a background of green foliage. She wears a black button-up shirt and appears to be looking directly at the camera.
Rosemarie Miner
A woman with curly hair, wearing a gray top, smiling slightly while looking down. The image is in black and white and features a simple gray background, emphasizing her expression and form.
Shanti Nagel
A woman with long, wavy brown hair standing outdoors. She is wearing a black shirt and has a neutral expression. The background features green foliage, indicating a natural setting.
Avvah Rossi
A man smiling while posing next to a fruit tree. He is wearing a dark cap and a shirt, with a visible red apple hanging from the tree branch on the left. The background features green leaves, indicating a garden or park setting.
Andrew Sliwa
A man wearing glasses and a suit, standing outdoors with blurred greenery in the background. He has a short beard and is looking directly at the camera with a neutral expression.
Richard M. Smith
An individual sitting on a portable stool with legs bent and feet elevated. They are wearing a blue long-sleeve shirt, a dark vest, and gloves, and have a light-colored hat. The background shows landscaped greenery and a paved walkway.
Julie Tan
A woman with long, gray hair wearing a black blouse stands outdoors, smiling confidently. She is in front of blurred greenery and a city street, with her arms crossed. The image presents a professional and approachable demeanor.
Kimberly Tryba
A woman with short, layered brown hair, wearing a dark maroon blouse, smiling against a blue background. Her posture is upright, and she appears to be looking directly at the camera.
Carolyn Jacobs

Our staff

A woman with curly hair stands outdoors in an urban setting during twilight. She wears a black blazer and is centered in the foreground, with blurred city lights in the background, creating a soft and warm atmosphere. Digital Platform Administrator
Belinda Hester
A woman sitting outdoors in front of a colorful mural. She has long brown hair and is wearing a light sweater and a jacket. The sunlight creates a warm glow on her face as she smiles at the camera. Plant-O-Rama event manager
Nicole Rivers

Shape the future of NYC green spaces

Join the Metro Hort community to elevate your career, expand your network, and support our mission in the Tri-State region.

Become a member today
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