Richardson’s love of trees led to a career in public horticulture. In September, he became the vice president of collections and horticulture at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois. The 1,700-acre arboretum is an internationally recognized tree-focused botanical garden and world-renowned center for scientific research that studies trees and how to sustain them.

“The Morton Arboretum is a global powerhouse,” said Richardson, who is also an ISA-certified arborist. “I’m just thrilled to be joining the staff. It's the type of opportunity that comes up once in a lifetime.”

It’s also an opportunity Richardson has spent his career preparing for. He attended the University of Delaware, earning an M.S. in Public Horticulture through the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences. After graduation, Richardson worked in various roles at public gardens throughout the eastern U.S., including Longwood Gardens.

“I wouldn’t be where I am if not for my education at UD, which I refer back to all the time,” said Richardson, who has worked at non-profits his entire career. “I took classes in museum studies, urban affairs and public planning, leadership, and strategic planning. I found those courses to be valuable and unique; I didn't really see other universities offering similar courses.”

Richardson believes botanic gardens have a duty to optimize plant collections and play an essential role in conserving and preserving plant species.

“One example of this is the Franklin tree, Franklinia alatamaha,” Richardson said. “The tree is functionally extinct, meaning it’s no longer found in the wild.” 

The tree, named after Benjamin Franklin, was observed by renowned Philadelphia botanists John and William Bartram in 1765, growing along a riverbank in modern-day Georgia. William returned and collected seeds from the Franklin trees 11 years later. By the early 1800s, the Franklin tree was extinct in the wild. In fact, all the Franklin trees known to exist today are descended from seed collected by Bartram and propagated at Bartram's Garden in Philadelphia. 

“The only Franklin trees that exist in the world today exist in cultivation,” Richardson underscored. “It’s a relatively common landscape plant. You can buy a Franklin tree at your local garden center. It has great fall color and blooms late in the summer, continuing into the fall. It is a popular plant, but it only exists now because people grow it in their gardens.”’

Richardson believes the example of the Franklin tree can inspire public gardens to curate their collections with an eye on conservation.

“Botanic gardens also educate people about plants and the importance of plants in their lives,” Richardson said. “Along with the importance of plant conservation and biological diversity.”

Richardson is the co-author of the book Native Plants for New England Gardens, published in 2018. He spent six years as the Director of Horticulture at the New England Wild Flower Society, now known as the Native Plant Trust. Helping people to get excited about native plants is core to his role.

“For as much as we separate ourselves from the wild, our gardens, green spaces, and home landscapes are the new wild spaces,” Richardson said. “Whether you’re in the suburbs, the city, or a more rural area, the ecosystem services provided by the plants growing in your garden are critical for wildlife and a healthy environment.”

In January, the Journal of Nature Ecology and Evolution published a research paper on the critical role living plant collections play in offering nature-based solutions to global challenges. Richardson found inspiration in the article. He sees plenty of room for improvement in the way botanic gardens support conservation efforts. 

“I hope that in this new role with the Morton Arboretum, I can help move the field in a direction where our collections are more fully integrated with science and conservation,” Richardson said. “I think it’s desperately needed in the field.”