Mei McNeill does it all at Tyler Arboretum. Whether it is volunteering in Lucille’s Garden, the American Chestnut Orchard, or with the Natural Area Trail Team; photographing Tyler’s sights; or helping out at any of Tyler’s events – she seems to be everywhere. And has been for the past 10 or so years!
In fact, the first time Mei offered up her volunteering services was back in 2005. She had been working at a bank where employees were encouraged to do volunteer work. She was living in Broomall and knew about Tyler. Because she loved nature and the outdoors, she decided Tyler would be the place for her to volunteer. Since leaving the bank about 15 years ago, she has pretty much dedicated her time to volunteering.
The source of her love for nature, plants and the outdoors is her father, who was a botanist professor at a university in China. He passed away in 1991 at 57 years old, but Mei has carried his love of botany with her all of these years. She believes spending time with plants and nature is her way to connect with her father. She currently has 137 plants in her home!
Though Mei volunteers with many groups at Tyler, the thing she loves most about all of them is the people. By engaging in various activities throughout the arboretum, she gets to know a lot of different people and she loves that.
And each group with whom she volunteers is special to her. In Lucille’s Garden whatever is asked of her, she will do. She likes everything there, but again, mostly the people. In the American Chestnut Orchard, they all just have a lot of fun. The group jokes around with each other and she learns a lot from everything she does there. The people in the orchard have a lot of knowledge, and it’s just a fun group. She particularly enjoys climbing when harvesting. With the Natural Area Trails Team, she learns a lot and she just enjoys being out on the trails, pulling up the invasive plants and keeping the trails tidy and clean.
Mei McNeill
And then there is her photography. This was something that became a hobby of hers after she quit working at the bank. She enjoys taking pictures at Tyler events, but also just walking around the arboretum and taking pictures that are later posted on social media or the website.
Not surprisingly, Mei’s volunteering efforts extend beyond Tyler. With her own children grown and married, for the last many years, she and her husband are always hosting – year-round – students from China. She currently has three international high school senior boys living with her. Mei’s selfless nature seemingly knows no bounds.
When she is not volunteering (unclear when that is!), Mei is likely still at Tyler – hiking the Blue Trail or walking around taking photographs. Hiking is another passion of hers (and one for which her toy poodle does not share the same appreciation). So if you happen to be at Tyler, chances are you will see Mei floating around somewhere.
