The Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens announces the appointment of Elise Zador as its new director. Zador brings decades of experience in agricultural education, program development, and community engagement to one of Savannah’s most treasured public garden spaces.

Zador is a long-term resident of Wilmington Island and is a Lowcountry native who grew up on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. She returns to the University of Georgia Extension system in this leadership role after a career dedicated to agriculture and education. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agronomy from Clemson University and a Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction.

Zador began her career in the California agriculture industry before returning to Georgia in 2000, where she served as a 4-H UGA Extension agent in Chatham County. She later spent 16 years with the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System, most recently at Oatland Island Wildlife Center, where she worked to connect students with agricultural and environmental education. In addition to her extensive background in education, Zador brings strong experience in program development, volunteer coordination, and public outreach.

“I am excited to return to UGA Extension in this role and lead the Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens into its next chapter of growth and community impact,” said Zador.

Established as a bamboo grove around 1890 and later acquired by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 1919, the Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens has a rich history rooted in research and conservation.

Today, the gardens are managed by the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and are devoted to fostering education, public outreach, and applied research in horticultural and environmental sciences. The site features unique plant collections from around the world, including several trees and shrubs that are one-of-a-kind in the United States.

The mission of the Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens is to provide education, public outreach, and applied research in horticultural and environmental sciences. Through practical community classes, inspiring school programs, and spectacular plant collections, the gardens educate visitors about the many roles plants play in daily life.

As one of Savannah’s top attractions, the Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens serves as a museum of plants, a tranquil escape, a living classroom, and a historic venue for special events. The gardens welcome more than 100,000 annual visitors.

Zador and her husband, Anthony, have two children: Allison, a medical student at Mercer University, and Walker, a rising junior studying mechanical engineering at the University of Georgia. In her free time, she enjoys golf, tennis, and spending time on the water.

For more information about the Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens, visit www.coastalbg.uga.edu.