Speakers’ Bureau Presenters

Dave Charlton has been a volunteer at Tyler Arboretum for several years. A lifelong nature enthusiast, Dave started by volunteering in Plant Records. Later, he also became a docent, taking visitors on tours throughout Tyler. As an amateur naturalist and nature photographer, Dave has been able to share his enthusiasm for the outdoors through outreach programs. His photographs of plants and activities at Tyler often appear in Tyler publications. Dave also serves as a member of the Tyler Arboretum Board of Trustees.

Julia Lo Ehrhardt was the Community Engagement Director at Tyler Arboretum and led the team of communicators, programmers, gardeners, and volunteers in reaching multiple audiences. Julia has over 30 years of experience in the public garden field which includes directing the Anderson Japanese Garden, directing the School of Professional Horticulture at the New York Botanical Garden, and managing outdoor horticulture at Baywood Greens and Longwood Gardens. Currently, Julia is pursuing her passion in Sustainable Food Systems. Julia earned a B.S. in Ornamental Horticulture from the University of British Columbia and a M.S. in Public Horticulture from the University of Delaware, Longwood Graduate Program.

Nancy Heinbaugh has been at Tyler Arboretum in a variety of roles for seven years, currently managing the Pollinator Preserve and volunteering as a Docent. She enjoys bringing Tyler’s history and landscapes to life for others. Nancy is a life-long gardener and a PA Master Naturalist. Discovering and sharing the intricacies of the natural world is her passion.

Pete Prown has led a 35-year career in journalism, working in both the music business and the Philadelphia area gardening world. He has been employed as a writer, magazine editor and landscape photographer. For the past 20 years, Pete has also honed his skills as an oil painter specializing in wildlife portraits, still life, landscapes and botanicals. He has exhibited his work in Pennsylvania and Connecticut. In his spare time, Pete volunteers at the Tyler Arboretum in Plant Records and writing blogs. While at Tyler, he especially enjoys birding.

Bess Trout was a gardener for Tyler Arboretum for a number of years, working at maintaining the 650-acre property, including the historic lilac and magnolia collections and themed gardening areas. She now coordinates the publication of Tyler’s Newsletter – The Painter Press. With over 10 years of horticultural experience, Bess also teaches classes at Tyler and Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania on topics including pollinators, ephemerals and rain gardens. A graduate of Washington College with a degree in Environmental Studies, Bess has gardened, taught and led programming at the Chicago Botanic Garden, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Morris Arboretum and the Maryland Conservation Corps.