Boston Flora

Tag: Alyson Prokop

  • Saturday, August 23, 10:00 am – 3:30 pm – Burnt & Inked: All-Day Fiery Printmaking Workshop

    Step into the flames literally and explore the full creative process behind dramatic botanical prints. In this immersive, full-day New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill workshop on August 23, learn to safely scorch your own wood tree plate using fire, carve into the charred surface and hand-print bold, layered works of art. With over a decade of experience in botanical research, education, and garden management, Alyson brings a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to NEBG and the Education Team.

    In her role as Manager of Adult Education, instructor Alyson Prokop is passionate about advancing plant sciences learning and biodiversity through inclusive initiatives at botanical gardens. Her dedication to promoting botanical education is evident in her previous work at Royal Botanical Gardens Canada, where she coordinated workshops, tours, and community programming with a strong focus on food security issues.

    Alyson’s background includes formal training in plant sciences and economic botany, holding a BSc in Plant Biology and graduate studies for a MSc in Plant Pathology from the University of Guelph. Her career path has led her to managerial and curatorial roles, particularly in collections management and education.

    Beyond her professional pursuits, Alyson is also an accomplished artist and printmaker. Hailing from Hamilton, Ontario, she channels her creativity into illustrating colorful and vibrant botanical sci-fi art. Her work, influenced by old sci-fi movies from the Golden Age of Film, showcases a unique blend of mid-century retro-futuristic style.

    $110 Members Adult | $132 Non-Member Adult (includes admission to the Garden) Register HERE.

  • Tuesday, August 12, 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm – Seasonal Pruning: Late Summer

    Learn late-summer pruning techniques for spring-flowering shrubs and trees that bloom on last season’s growth. Learn the the best pruning methods to encourage healthy growth and a vibrant floral display. This New England Botanical Garden at Tower Hill class will take place August 12 at 6 pm. The instructors will be Hunter Blanchard and Alyson Prokop. $40 for NEBG members, $48 for nonmembers. Register at www.nebg.org

  • Saturday, September 14, 9:30 am – 11:30 am – Buzzing into Autumn with Bees!

    Buzz into autumn on September 14 at 9:30 am with New England Botanic Garden as we guide you in planning a bee-utiful garden full of the best pollinator plants. Peek inside our resident honeybee hive and sweeten your experience with a honey tasting featuring local varieties and honey straight from the source. It is beekeeping with no “stings’ attached.

    Buzz into autumn with New England Botanic Garden as we guide you to planning a bee-utiful garden, a visit to our hives, and a honey tasting.

    Instructor Hunter Blanchard is a horticulturist at New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill in Boylston, MA. He has been with the organization since 2018, serving in roles that allow him to share his passion for making plants accessible to people and for nurturing growing things. Today, Hunter leads a three-person team responsible for 10 acres of naturalistic garden spaces that foster plant biodiversity and support pollinator populations through a focus on North American native plant species. He enjoys interpreting these garden spaces for visitors through tours and talks, hoping that these learning opportunities inspire people to engage more with plants at home or in other areas of their lives. A community builder, Hunter serves on the board of directors for F.E.R.N., a nonprofit that supports conservation by promoting synergy between individuals, communities, and organizations, and on the Conference Planning and Education Committees for the Ecological Landscape Alliance. Hunter holds an A.S. in sustainable horticulture from the Stockbridge School of Agriculture and a B.S. in plant soil science from Umass Amherst.

    Alyson Prokop serves as the Manager of Adult Education at New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill in Boylton, MA. She joined NEBG in May 2024 after a decade at the Royal Botanical Gardens Canada, where she worked as a botanical horticulturist overseeing the Teaching and Community Food Gardens, in addition to her roles as Public Programs Coordinator and Horticultural Societies Liaison. She is passionate about leading and expanding garden programs, with a particular interest in initiatives that connect people with plants. Alyson is especially interested in food security and strives to make programming accessible to diverse audiences.

    Alyson’s background as an educator, field botanist, horticulturist, and market gardener informs her dedication to promoting biodiversity and sustainable practices. She prioritizes integrating community engagement and botanical stewardship in program development. Guided by her values of continuous learning, collaborative leadership, and sustainability, Alyson aims to contribute to plant conservation and educational projects in a managerial or curatorial role within botanical gardens.

    $35 member adult, $45 nonmembers. Register at www.nebg.org