Job: Curator of horticulture and environmental initiatives, Zoo Atlanta
What I do: In an environment devoted to animals, Danielle Green is a plant person. She manages the landscaping at Zoo Atlanta's public areas, inside the exhibits and behind the scenes.
Spring is a busy and rewarding time for Green, 34. "This time of year is especially exciting," she said. "I can't wait to get out there and see what's popped up."
While most gardeners concern themselves with weeds and insects, Danielle Green must guard her plants at Zoo Atlanta against such atypical pests as the orangutan (in background).
Green is in charge of the plantings people see and some of the plants the zoo animals eat, called browse.
Some of the food plants are grown near the exhibits, where animals can get at them, while others are grown separately and brought in. (The bamboo for the pandas, however, is handled by a separate part of the zoo.) She also gets trimmings from tree companies. The greenery can be used for food, and the logs become part of exhibits' landscaping or toys for the elephants.
Keeping the grounds looking good is Green's primary responsibility, as she oversees watering and pruning. And because of her environmental role, that means following any water restrictions that are in place.
"One of my goals is to raise the awareness of the important relationship between plants and animals. They do go together," she said.
Sometimes her plants get trampled, both by people and by the zoo's animals. Green is concerned about a new warthog exhibit. Regardless of what she plants, it is sure to be dug up by the animals. "You put plants in place, and they are going to be torn up, sat on, eaten and licked," she said.
While the plants are visually pleasing, they also help set the atmosphere for the exhibits, with grasses in the savannah areas, dark green tree cover in the jungles and bamboo in the Asian areas. "We transport people to different places," Green said.
What got me interested in this: Green started early, helping her grandmother in the garden. "I'd put a seed in the ground and watch it become something incredible. I'd ask, 'What's it going to do next?' "
Green said she's an outdoor person. "I'm always outside in the dirt," she said. "I can't stand to be inside. I feel comfortable surrounded by the natural environment."
Best part of my job: "Being able to see the wonderful animals every day, and the plants, and being outdoors every day," she said. "I can share my enthusiasm for plants, then look over my shoulder and see an orangutan."
She also enjoys the work itself. "I do every day what others do on their day off," she said. "This is my extended garden."
Most challenging part: "I'm in competition with a giant panda cub and gorillas" for attention from the public, Green said. "That's a wonderful competition to have."
She also has some interesting gardening problems. "The pest in our garden can be a Komodo dragon or a zebra."
She copes with droughts by "planting smart" with foliage that needs little water.
Green
What people don't know about my job: "People are surprised I work with plants at the zoo," Green said.
As the environmental initiatives manager, she also oversees the zoo's efforts to install energy-efficient light bulbs and recycle cellphones. Proceeds from the cellphone collection project are sent to the Dian Fossey fund that helps gorillas in the wild.
Although some elephant dung is recycled into compost by a private company, Green said the zoo doesn't have enough space at its Grant Park location to have a complete recycling program for animal waste.
What keeps me going: "Every day, I learn something new." She said her staff has a wide variety of expertise in plants from all over the world, and the whole zoo staff is made up of a unique meld of people.
Preparation needed for this job: You need to be flexible and have a background in horticulture. "We are one big demonstration garden," she said, and her staff often is asked about the plants. A formal degree isn't always necessary, but practical experience is, she said.
Before coming to the zoo, Green owned a retail nursery. She also taught vocational horticulture at Fernbank Science Center.
She has a bachelor's degree in biology with a concentration in horticulture from Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Va., as well as numerous certifications as a plant professional and arborist.
- By Karl W. Ritzler, for ajcjobs. Got an interesting job that you love? E-mail your story to jobseditor@ajc.com.