Humboldt Botanical Garden Appoints Scot Medbury Half-Time Interim Executive Director

Scot Medbury has been appointed half-time interim executive director of the Humboldt Botanical Garden, a move the board says will provide leadership and continuity while the organization conducts a national search for a permanent director. Medbury, a veteran garden professional with more than 40 years of experience, began the interim post effective November 10, 2025.

Medbury’s résumé includes leadership roles at Brooklyn Botanic Garden, San Francisco Botanical Garden, and Sonoma Botanical Garden, experience the Humboldt board cited as valuable during the transition. Board president Evelyn Giddings said, "Medbury will help guide a national search for a permanent director and provide stability and expertise during the transition." The board announced the appointment publicly on January 14, 2026.

The Humboldt Botanical Garden occupies 44.5 acres adjacent to Humboldt Bay and College of the Redwoods. Founded by volunteers in 1991, the garden has grown into a regional hub for conservation, education, and community events. That footprint and institutional role make leadership stability important not only for programming but also for fundraising, grant competitiveness, and local partnerships that support tourism and environmental work.

A half-time interim director is a common governance choice for nonprofit cultural and conservation organizations facing leadership turnover. For Humboldt County, the appointment reduces the risk of program disruption at a moment when the garden runs classes, community events, and stewardship projects that feed into local tourism and education calendars. Continuity at the top helps preserve ongoing collaborations with nearby institutions, including the College of the Redwoods, and maintains institutional credibility with donors and grantmakers who evaluate managerial capacity and strategic direction.

Financially, stable leadership can affect the timing and execution of revenue-generating activities such as ticketed events, plant sales, and paid programming. It also matters for multi-year grants where interim governance arrangements are reviewed by funders. While the role is half-time, Medbury’s national experience is likely to strengthen the garden’s case in competitive grant applications and strategic partnerships, potentially supporting long-term objectives in native-plant conservation and climate-adaptive landscaping.

The garden’s volunteer roots and its evolution into a 44.5-acre educational asset mean the search for a permanent director will draw attention from local civic leaders, educators, and the donor community. The board’s national search aims to identify a candidate who can build on current programs while shaping a longer-term strategic plan.

For residents, the immediate effect should be steady operations and preserved programming through the transition; what comes next is a deliberate search for leadership to guide the garden’s role in regional conservation, education, and economic activity. For more information, contact the Humboldt Botanical Garden.