{"id":31237,"date":"2025-11-01T21:59:13","date_gmt":"2025-11-01T21:59:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/31237\/"},"modified":"2025-11-01T21:59:13","modified_gmt":"2025-11-01T21:59:13","slug":"volunteer-supports-conservation-accessible-plant-research-upkeep-of-botanic-garden","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/31237\/","title":{"rendered":"Volunteer supports conservation, accessible plant research, upkeep of botanic garden"},"content":{"rendered":"

Standing in the Fort Worth Botanic Garden\u2019s rainforest conservatory, Julie Mangiameli is surrounded by some of the plants she documents in the herbarium\u2019s<\/a> database.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Whether she\u2019s tending to the Japanese Garden or working in the library at the Botanical Research Institute of Texas<\/a> to the north side of the garden center, Mangiameli finds herself volunteering five days a week.<\/p>\n

Welcome to 52 Faces<\/p>\n

\"52<\/p>\n

52 Faces of Community<\/a> is a Fort Worth Report weekly series spotlighting local unsung heroes. It is sponsored by Central Market<\/a>, H-E-B<\/a> and JPS Health Network<\/a>.<\/p>\n

At the end of the year, these rarely recognized heroes will gather for a luncheon where the Report will announce one honoree to represent Tarrant County at the Jefferson Awards in Washington, D.C.<\/p>\n

Since 2006, Mangiameli has helped garden staff to fulfill its mission of plant conservation and supported its dedication to enhancing the center for the enjoyment of visitors. Her volunteership earned her recognition in 52 Faces of Community<\/a>, the Fort Worth Report\u2019s weekly series spotlighting Tarrant County\u2019s unsung heroes.<\/p>\n

Ryan Kough, garden director of engagement, applauded Mangiameli for volunteering 980 hours in 2024.<\/p>\n

\u201cHaving somebody who\u2019s willing to give our organization almost 1,000 hours in a year is a huge indicator of how successfully we\u2019re reaching certain audiences and gaining support from members of our community,\u201d Kough said.<\/p>\n

Mangiameli first tapped into her love for plants and the environment in 2006 when she took a landscaping design class at Tarrant County College. A fellow classmate and gardener encouraged her to volunteer at the botanic garden.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t know I had a passion for plants until I got into the class,\u201d Mangiameli said.<\/p>\n

Now, she spends most of her time at the garden working on the BRIT library\u2019s Carlquist collection<\/a> of archived plants.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The archive is named for botanist Sherwin Carlquist, a plant expert who conducted 30 years of research on plant species, expanding the field of biodiversity as well as plant physiology and evolution.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Since 2021, the garden has been tasked with documenting 160,000 archival objects collected by Carlquist, including field notebooks and images of animals and plants.<\/p>\n

She\u2019s just a very genuine person. She brings her absolute best to us. And she does it nicely.<\/p>\n

Ryan Kough, Fort Worth Botanic Garden director of engagement<\/p>\n

The collection acts as a database that the public and experts from all over the world can access for plant research purposes.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s important to know what a plant looked like, where it was growing at what time because, in the future, the environment may not have the ability to grow that plant,\u201d Mangiameli said. \u201cIt\u2019s important to have that biological history.\u201d<\/p>\n

When Mangiameli isn\u2019t helping in the library, she\u2019s happy to get her hands dirty and help staff take care of the several acres that make up the garden.\u00a0<\/p>\n

That includes weeding, raking and cleaning up leaves to help staff prune growth throughout the garden.<\/p>\n

The garden has been especially busy in the past few years after it merged with BRIT in 2020. Garden leaders forecast major growth<\/a>, mostly through expansion projects such as the Baker Martin Family Garden.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Know an unsung hero in Tarrant County?<\/p>\n

Tell us about them by filling out the form below. <\/p>\n

Among all the work at the garden, Mangiameli is a prime example of the volunteers that make the garden\u2019s services possible.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s just a very genuine person,\u201d Kough said. \u201cShe brings her absolute best to us. And she does it nicely.\u201d<\/p>\n

The feeling is mutual with Mangiameli: the garden\u2019s staff encourage her to put her best foot forward for a cause she\u2019s passionate about.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe thing that brought me to the garden, of course, was my love of plants and plant science. But the other thing that keeps me here is the staff,\u201d said Mangiameli. \u201cThey\u2019re wonderful. \u2026 You learn a lot from them, and they also make you feel valued.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nicole Lopez is the environment reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact her at nicole.lopez@fortworthreport.org<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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In-depth stories take time, curiosity, resources and your support. Your contribution sustains thoughtful, explanatory reporting that helps our community understand complex issues. Help reach our $400,000 year-end goal and keep this work going in 2026.<\/p>\n

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