Westonbirt, The National Arboretum, which is owned and managed by Forestry England, has appointed a new curator to help it realise its vision to be a 'world leader in trees'.
Dan Crowley steps into the role, effective from 1 November 2024, having previously been employed as Westonbirt's tree conservation manager — before that, he worked as a dendrologist at the National Arboretum, too.
In his new position, Dan is not only responsible for curating Westonbirt's tree collection, but he'll also continue his work on the arboretum's conservation objectives.
Notably, his role will support the existing and future conservation objectives of Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest, providing a crucial link between the National Arboretum and Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) — and enhancing both Westonbirt and Bedgebury's roles in global tree conservation.
With proven expertise in supporting Westonbirt and Forestry England's conservation work on a national and international scale, Dan's appointment is the result of a competitive recruitment process, which saw Westonbirt interview a number of high-quality candidates for the position.
Commenting on his appointment, Dan said: 'I am hugely excited to take on the role of curator at Westonbirt. It is a great privilege to do so and a responsibility that I take very seriously.
'I look forward to continuing to develop the collection for the benefit of future generations and ensuring that we fulfil our role as a modern botanic garden as we push towards our vision to be a world leader in trees.'
Director of Westonbirt Arboretum, Andrew Smith, added: 'Dan has always demonstrated a genuine and inspirational passion for trees and nature, actively encouraging everyone to connect with trees.
'We have found the right curator to help us realise our vision to be a world leader in trees. We are delighted to see him take up this vital role as the next guardian of this historic collection, nurturing and curating over 15,000 specimens within a unique picturesque landscape.'
