Feb 9, 2007

UC-Davis Creates California Urban Horticulture CenterSource: UC Davis

David Fujino, a horticulture consultant with more than 19 years of experience in the nursery industry, has been hired to lead the new California Center for Urban Horticulture (CCUH) at the University of California, Davis (UC Davis). He is the current chair of the California Association of Nurseries and Garden Centers and the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s Nursery Pest Advisory Task Force.

Fujino’s experience includes many years in senior-level management with a large wholesale horticultural company. His expertise includes organizational development, information technology, strategic planning, marketing, research and development, training, fundraising and other areas.

“We are fortunate to have found someone with Dave’s background to lead the groundbreaking new center that will serve as a horticultural research and education hub for the entire state,” said Neal Van Alfen, dean of the UC Davis College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. “Californians are looking for more environmentally sustainable ways to take care of their home landscapes and public parks, and this new center will make that happen.”

An urban horticulture conference is being planned to hear from stakeholder groups to identify specific research and training needs. CCUH will collaborate with the UC Davis Arboretum and the departments of plant sciences and landscape architecture.

For more information, go to http://arboretum.ucdavis.edu.