Longwood Gardens Names Environmental Horticulturist Dr. Kate Santos To Direct Research

KENNETT SQUARE, PA — An environmental horticulturist who started her own botanical consulting firm and is an experienced researcher will lead research and conservation at Longwood Gardens.

Longwood Gardens this week announced the appointment of Kate Santos, Ph.D., as Director of Research and Conservation. Santos will lead Longwood's science-based activities. Her mission will be to strategically drive excellence in research, conservation, land stewardship, and ecology with local, national, and global impact, the organization said.

Santos comes to the position with 15 years of experience leading for-profit business functions in horticulture. Most recently, she founded Kate Santos LLC, a botanical consulting firm, bringing solutions to the world's most growth-oriented horticultural companies.

Prior to starting her own business, she spent six years at Dümmen Orange, where she served as North America Operations Director and Regional Director of Supply Chain for the Americas, managing leadership teams across North America, Central America, and South America.

Santos also spent part of her career leading Research and Development at Costa Farms in Miami. She earned her Doctor of Environmental Horticulture from the University of Florida, and her Bachelor of Science in Plant Biology from the University of New Hampshire.

“We are thrilled to have Kate as our new Director of Research and Conservation,” said Longwood Gardens Vice President of Horticulture Sharon Loving. “Kate is a respected botanical expert who has worked on a diverse group of projects to create lasting impacts in the art, science, and sustainability of horticulture. Her experience and vision make her a perfect fit for this position.”

Santos said, "I am honored to be chosen as the Director of Research and Conservation at Longwood Gardens."

"Longwood is internationally recognized for its legacy of plant exploration, plant conservation, and environmental stewardship and I am eager to work with Longwood’s impressive team of professionals to continue to elevate and advance Longwood’s important work in research, conservation, and stewardship,” Santos added.

The Research and Conservation division is one of four divisions in the Horticulture Department at Longwood Gardens, which also includes Floriculture and Conservatories, Horticultural Operations, and Outdoor Landscapes. The Research and Conservation programs include plant breeding, exploration, and evaluation; ecological stewardship and land management; plant conservation; and soils and compost management.

In 1906, industrialist Pierre du Pont (1870-1954) purchased a small farm near Kennett Square to save a collection of historic trees from being sold for lumber. Today, Longwood Gardens is one of the great gardens of the world and the most visited public garden in America, encompassing 1,100 acres of dazzling gardens, woodlands, meadows, fountains, 10,010-pipe Aeolian organ, and grand conservatory.

Longwood continues the mission set forth in 1906 to inspire people through excellence in garden design, horticulture, education, and the performing arts.

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