Amelia Swanson 

she/her

• Sustainable Horticulture Co-Coordinator 2024- 25, Sustainable Horticulture Intern 2023- 24  
• Major: Sustainable Environmental Design, class of 2025

When I started college, I was undeclared and unsure of what direction my academic journey would take. Over time, I was introduced to subjects that sparked my interest, eventually leading me to declare a major in Sustainable Environmental Design. I then discovered the Learning by Leading™ Sustainable Horticulture internship through one of my classes and was instantly intrigued as it aligned with my passions for environmental stewardship, design, and community engagement. I'm so grateful for all the opportunities I was able to pursue through this internship. I became an intern for the team during my third year, and through this experience, I developed hands-on skills in designing and building drought-tolerant gardens, learning everything from plant palette planning and irrigation system construction to bed installation. 

I also gained valuable experience through community outreach events and interviews with organizations such as the UC Davis media team and the Landscape Architecture Accreditation Board, who were interested in learning more about the Sustainable Horticulture team's work and the broader Learning by Leading™ program. It has been an incredibly fulfilling process, filled with many learning opportunities. Later, I had the opportunity to step into a leadership role as Co-Coordinator of the internship. In this role, I facilitated sessions and taught new interns the skills I had gained. It pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me apply what I had learned as an intern in a more meaningful way. Alongside technical skills like plant propagation, pruning, garden design, and irrigation system construction, I also cultivated leadership skills such as facilitation, communication, empathy, and collaboration. This experience gave me the confidence to recognize and trust in my own abilities. 

My mentor, Ryan, played a significant role in my growth. His guidance and expertise shaped my experience in the arboretum, guiding me in experiences that allowed me to refine key skills necessary for landscape design such as site analysis, plant identification, and maintenance. He also taught me valuable leadership traits such as initiative, delegation, and accountability. One of the highlights of my time with the Sustainable Horticulture team was working on the garden beds outside the Gorman Museum of Native American Art. Designing and building those gardens using indigenous plants was not only educational but deeply meaningful. It was my favorite project, as it highlighted indigenous knowledge and the important role it has in land stewardship and the interconnectedness between people and the environment. 

I feel incredibly fortunate to be part of such a passionate, kind, and creative team. The broader Arboretum community welcomed me with such open arms - from community work days to plant sales and Learning by Leading™ events, I was always learning from my peers. I continue to be inspired by the dedication and experience of those around me and am excited to take the knowledge I have gained with me. Learning by Leading™ has truly shaped my college experience and will continue to influence my journey as I pursue future endeavors.