Gertrude E. Lorenz

Wild Gardens LLC February 2018- Present

Owner/Operator

Wild Gardens works in the creation of atmospheres that connect people and nature in useful, healthy

and inspiring ways with the sole purpose to heal the relationship between people and the land. The

work has, so far, included:

● Engaging with both private clients, and public and commercial entities to develop land plans

with long term strategies for implementation that create maximum benefit for the people and

the land on a budget with beautiful, creative, and meaningful outcomes.

● Development and growth of a plant nursery to include, so far, 107 species of plants that are

native, herbal, edible and/or medicinal for sale and use in landscape designs. This includes

detailed record system of the plants and their seed origins for genetic tracking and future

research.

● Community plantings along Banklick Street that provide habitat and human development,

community engagement and ownership, and passive opportunities to advance knowledge of

landcare, plant use, and natural growing systems.

Keystone Flora Native Plant Nursery April 2014-September 2017

Forwoman

Aided in the care of the entire plant collection from seed harvesting to sales, design and installation of

natural and display areas, soil development, customer service and sales, and training of the annual

summer staff. This included:

● Care of all of the plants over the entire season from seed collection, seed sowing,

transplanting, outplanting, and fertilization to attending to hoop houses for seasonal protection

● Using plants from the collection, existing plants, and the land to slowly and intentionally

develop the natural and display areas of varying habitat types creating spaces where visitors

can connect with and build a relationship with the plants they are adopting in addition to

enriching the soil, filtering water, and providing healthy habitat for insects and wildlife.

● Mediate and draw up final designs for several of the display spaces as well as mapping and

record keeping for the whole of the nursery.

Enright Ridge Urban Ecovillage CSA February 2014-September 2014

Production Manager

Charged with the planning, implementation, and management of the annual vegetable production for

the Urban Eco-Village CSA’s thirty-three members and managing the daily tasks over two interns, the

operations manager, and ten work-share members. This included:

● Working within a limited budget to see that all of the needs of the CSA are met throughout the

year.

● Planning the crop locations, rotations, soil development, and communication paths for the staff

and involved community members helping to maintain the gardens.

● Coordinating volunteer groups and community work days to help clean up and improve the

greenhouse and gardens.

Greenacres Foundation April 2011- November 2013

Assistant Garden Manager

Work alongside the director of greenhouse and garden operations in maintaining both vegetable and

landscape gardens as well as serving as the primary landscape designer for new gardens and

exterior spaces. The following detail my responsibilities:

● Scheduling and leading the staff in daily work including planning and implementing of a small

commercial vegetable garden, harvesting and processing vegetables daily, installing new

landscape designs and annual plantings, development and production of education

landscapes to assist the education staff, general landscape maintenance and care.

● Developed and enforce current system for keeping records, gathering both niche information

on individual vegetable and native plants as well has individual landscape bed and habitat

information, harvesting and composting records, daily activity and scheduling operations, new

staff procedures, and inventory and maintenance of tools and spaces.

● Creating designs and master concepts for Greenacres gardens and spaces including the two

primary entrances to the art center, the greenhouse master entrance, greenhouse conceptual

master plan, Ponce Inlet FL location concept plan, and interior and exterior water gardens.

● Coordinate and aid in growing all of our plant material both native and vegetable from seed

and then facilitate their primary care until they go out into the field.

Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest May 2008- April 2011

Conservation Horticulturist and Nursery Assistant

Work under the guidance of the head horticulturist and nursery manager to maintain and further

Bernheim’s conservation program. This involves:

● Scheduling and leading staff and volunteers in invasive species control, creating habitat

enhancements, design of two new created habitats and homeowner friendly conservation

landscape displays, seed collection and viability program development, green roof and

vegetable garden evaluation and records, maintaining and creating of interpretive signage,

endangered species education and protection, and doing so under a designated budget.

● Eager participation with our education department and staff in a number of programs and

volunteer activities both inside and outside the arboretum. These programs cover topics and

activities in vegetable gardens, green roofs, local habitat, biodiversity, conservation, and

composting.

● Service on several key committees that address public programs, strategic planning, children’s

garden master design, and multifaceted community gardening. To better contribute on these

committees and Berheim as a whole I have attended and participated in outside programs

such as The Growing Power Workshop with Will Allen, Children at Play Conference, Wetlands

Management Workshop, KNLA regional conference, Invasive Species Conference, Kentucky

School Gardens Conference, and Kentucky Certified Arborists annual meetings.

Bello Giardino Landscaping August 2006- January 2008

Landscape Designer/Construction Supervisor

Design, budget, and market original landscape designs and supervise the project into completion. My

tasks were:

● Sole responsibility of the design and sale of original landscape designs including providing

accurate budgeting and timing estimations.

● Selection and purchase of plants and materials, overseeing construction and installation of the

landscape, upholding the integrity of the design, and maintaining healthy client relationships

throughout the project.

● Developing systems for time management and cost control for more accurate landscape bids.

● Receiving a Master Nursery Technician Certification through the Ohio Nursery and Landscape

Association.

The Arboretum State Botanical Garden of Kentucky

Native Plant/Ecological Restoration Intern December 2005-June 2006

Worked under a grant that funded improvements and further development of a ninety-acre native

plant museum and restoration of Kentucky Bluegrass woods, including:

● Caring for native plant materials both within the native plant greenhouses and directly in the

arboretum. This includes collecting, stratifying, and propagating native sedges, wildflowers,

grasses, trees, and mosses.

● Designing and implementation of several native planting landscapes and trails within the

arboretum.

● Invasive species removal including five controlled prairie burns.

● Leading master gardeners, volunteer groups, and 4-H classes in weekly activities

Horticultural Assistant April 2003- August 2003

Assisting in the seasonal installation of plants and maintenance of the ten-acre horticultural display

gardens. Namely playing a part in;

● Selection, layout, and care of plants with in the arboretum

● Installation of irrigation systems in horticultural beds.

● Installation of annual plants in seasonal beds around University of Kentucky

● University greenhouse seasonal plant care

Education

University of Kentucky, Lexington Kentucky August 2000 -May 2006

Independent Degree

B.S. in Ecological Landscape Design

Emphasis on courses in:

● Landscape Architecture Studios (5 semesters)

● Land Surveying

● Plant Pathology

● Entomology

● Landscape Maintenance

● Plant Production Systems

● Individual study in native planting, ecosystems, and bioretention

Current Certifications

Permaculture Design Certification