Directory

Professor Jack Ahern, FASLA retired at the end of the Spring 2020 semester after 34 years in Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning (LARP) department at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Jack was the very model of a modern landscape architect, rooted in sustainable design with a passion for plants, landscape ecology, greenway planning, and ecosystem services. He had a positive influence on the thousands of students who took his classes and the ones whom he mentored. There are so many aspects of the landscape architecture program that bear his imprint that it’s impossible to

I held the Vice Provost for International Programs and Professor of Landscape Architecture positions at UMass Amherst. In international education I worked with faculty from across campus to build and strengthen collaborations with partners and partner institutions literally from around the world. I researched sustainability and resilience strategies and trends in contemporary urbanism. I wrote about the application and interpretation of ecological theories to urban planning/design, and in the design and management of landscapes that manifest their location's inherent biodiversity and visual

Michael is a graduate student in the Department of Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning. As a graduate assistant for Physical Plant, Michael is responsible for updating the GIS tree data layer, managing the arboretum social media, acquiring plant material to expand the biodiversity of the arboretum, and coordinating arboretum events like interpretive walking tours and giveaways. Michael has used his background in graphics and photography to enhance the Waugh Arboretum's public facing platforms and increase community engagement. In collaboration with Stella Dee, Michael created the

Kristina Bezanson, certified arborist and coordinator of the Stockbridge Arboriculture associate degree program, received the 2023 Ryan Award given by the International Society of Arboriculture’s (ISA) New England chapter for outstanding service in advancing the field of arboriculture. She is an ISA Board master certified arborist and qualified tree risk assessor. She serves as vice president and president-elect of New England ISA and is a member of the ISA Student and Early Career Committee. Kristina is also the professor-in-charge of internships for arboriculture majors.

Annaliese received a bachelor’s degree in art from Brown University and a master’s in landscape architecture from the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry. She began her academic career at Kansas State University, where Waugh had studied a century earlier. She taught for forty years at the University of Massachusetts department that Waugh founded.

Nick is an extension plant pathologist in the Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment, University of Massachusetts, Amherst. He directs the UMass Plant Diagnostic Laboratory and conducts applied research in urban forestry. His research focuses on wood-rotting fungal pathogens of trees in urban and suburban settings.

The UMass Plant Diagnostic Lab diagnoses plant material samples from homeowners, farmers, arborists, tree nurseries, greenhouse producers, landscape contractors, and turf managers among others. The lab's diagnostic reports identify the pests or fungus present and

As Head of Grounds, Todd plays a vital role in championing our campus trees. When he's not giving his famous tree walks, Todd is responsible for overseeing the stewardship of the entire campus landscape including construction and digsafe operations. Todd has been a member of the UMass community for over thirty years. Under his leadership, many notable trees have been protected and conserved throughout our campus arboretum.

Mike is co-chair of the arboretum committee, coordinator of the Stockbridge School of Agriculture Landscape Contracting Program, and is a Senior Lecturer II of Landscape Architecture. He has his Massachusetts Certified Landscape Professional (MCLP) certification from the MA Association of Landscape Professionals (MALP). When he's not teaching residential design to students in the landscape architecture master's program, or construction materials to his landscape contracting students, you might be able to find Mike in Durfee Gardens re-designing an entry sequence or demonstrating a proper tree

Stella is a Ph.D. candidate in Environmental Conservation with a focus in Arboriculture and a research assistant with the Facilities & Campus Services Departments. Stella is responsible for managing the arboretum's GIS tree data layer. In 2022, Stella was awarded a TreeFund Hyland R. Johns Grant to research the mechanical and physiological effects of pruning tree. She is also the 2022 NE-ISA Women's Tree Climbing Champion. In collaboration with Michael Amato, she created the Waugh Arboretum Storymap. On Arbor Day, an annual campus event in April, you may find Stella up a tree demonstrating

Madelaine is a GIS analyst responsible for maintaining the campus-wide enterprise GIS system that encompasses our tree data and interactive maps. She facilitates the use of geospatial information by a wide variety of campus users, both internal and public.