Staff Spotlight: Stacey Parker
Since 2012, Stacey Parker, Director of Public Horticulture and Engagement with the Arboretum and Public Garden has played a vital role in shaping the landscapes that make UC Davis such a beautiful and welcoming place. In this position, Stacey brings together sustainability, education, and community connection through her work with the Arboretum and Public Garden and Facilities.
Stacey began her UC Davis journey after earning her master’s degree in Horticulture and Agronomy from UC Davis, joining the Arboretum and Public Garden as a GATEways Horticulturist. Over the years, her passion and expertise have grown alongside her responsibilities, leading her to her current role in 2021 and her transition to Facilities in November 2023.
In her role today, Stacey works closely with her team to design and care for sustainable, climate-adapted landscapes across the Arboretum and campus. Beyond the landscapes themselves, she leads programs that deepen engagement with nature, including a robust volunteer program and the Nature Rx program, both of which encourage the campus community to experience the physical and mental health benefits of spending time outdoors. Creating spaces that are both beautiful and accessible is at the heart of her work—and her passion.
One of Stacey’s favorite parts of the job is teaching. She especially enjoys leading trainings for new volunteers and staff, including a recently launched series of continuing education trainings in horticulture for the Grounds & Landscape Services team. Sharing knowledge, building skills, and learning alongside colleagues and friends makes the work especially rewarding for her.
Working in a public garden comes with its challenges. Being open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, is one of Stacey’s favorite aspects of the Arboretum—but it can also lead to wear and tear on the landscapes. Still, she finds encouragement in how receptive and respectful visitors are, and how simple solutions like temporary fencing help guide people while protecting plants.
Stacey values working in Facilities because the work is both mission-driven and tangible. “Facilities is the backbone of the campus,” she shares, supporting everything from safety and daily operations to the beauty and functionality of shared spaces. Seeing the direct impact of this work on students, staff, and visitors is what makes it so meaningful.
A standout experience for Stacey was a recent collaboration with Building Maintenance Services (BMS) to expand the Learning by Leading program. Through a pilot project that included power washing campus buildings, she gained new appreciation for the depth of expertise across Facilities. “I’m always amazed by how much knowledge our team has,” she says, “and I love learning from someone else’s perspective.”
Outside of work, Stacey enjoys baking—especially anything with chocolate, and spending time outdoors hiking and searching for wildflowers. Whether in the kitchen or on the trail, her curiosity and appreciation for plants never fade. “It never gets old,” she says. “There’s always something new to notice and appreciate.”
Stacey’s dedication, curiosity, and enthusiasm continue to leave a lasting impression on the UC Davis campus—one landscape, one training, and one shared moment in nature at a time.