The greenhouse is not just open to formal classes of Brown students. "I like to think of this place as a plant learning center, open to anyone in the larger community who has an interest," says greenhouse manager Fred Jackson.
The conservatory is open from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. weekdays to the casual visitor, some of whom may even be lucky enough to receive a tour from Jackson.
Known as the voice of the garden hour on WHJJ (920 am), Jackson likes to share his considerable knowledge about plants. Garden clubs and community groups have come from as far as Connecticut to hear Jackson talk about tropical ecology, horticulture and to tour the conservatory. Every few weeks, local high school and middle school science teachers assemble for a program sponsored by Brown's Institute for Secondary Education. Aiming to teach this group to use plants in their classrooms, Jackson instructs them in plant propagation, simple experiments with plants, and wildflower identification. - Elizabeth Hammond Pyle