June 25, 2025
STAFF INTRODUCTIONS
We'd like to introduce our readers to two new Morris County Park Commission (MCPC) staff members.
Emma Latham
Full Time Program Specialist
Emma is one of the new Horticulture Educators. She comes from a family of chefs, artists, and gardeners, so she's always had a deep love of food, art, and vegetables. She studied Ecology and Education at Princeton, where her research focused on sustainable farming and companion planting.
Emma is passionate about hands-on learning in outdoor spaces and has taught in gardens, on trails and just about anywhere plants will grow! She also loves trying out new crafts ... one week she might be spinning yarn and the next she's sewing an apron!
Last month, Emma moved to New Jersey from Washington, D.C. where she developed a gardening program at a Montessori preschool. At The Frelinghuysen Arboretum, she's looking forward to getting to know the community, leading camps and classes, and enjoying all the beautiful blooms still to come!
Jade Mapp
Part Time Horticulture Educator
Jade is the new part time Horticultural Educator at MCPC. A California native, Jade grew up in Sacramento, also known as the City of Trees. She is a community herbalist with a background in library work and literacy programming. As an avid reader and writer, she enjoys connecting the arts, journalism, and storytelling within her work in nature.
Jade has worked with plants and animals at preserves, apothecaries, and community gardens. Her experience with gardening in urban farms throughout New Jersey inspires her to continue to spread the power of plant magic.
We wish Emma and Jade all the best in their new endeavors.
This week we're featuring photographs taken by a couple of our Members, Michele Finkelstein and Lisa Bencivengo.
Michele's photos show a close-up of lovely Honeysuckle (Lonicera) flowers and raindrop covered foliage, a Smoke Bush (Cotinus coggygria) standing out amongst the green plants in the Four Seasons Garden, a Chinese Plum (Prunus 'Mume') espaliered on the Carriage House wall underplanted with a variety of colorful blooming plants and a closeup of one of the plantings in the Nurserymen's Garden by the Carriage House.
Lisa's photos lead us through the quiet, shady paths in the Sylvan Garden; first we pass the tranquil pool with a view through the foliage towards the Mansion, then down the path on the way to the pedestrian bridge and finally we're treated to a glimpse of this year's Fairy Houses (usually on display through the end of July.
Make time to visit the Arboretum, there is always so much to see and enjoy.
Click any of the pictures to open our Photo Gallery page.
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