Featured image for post: A Heart for Nature: Anne Pierce

A Heart for Nature: Anne Pierce

No matter the season when guests visit Barton College, they immediately notice the expansive greenspaces and strategic pops of color across campus. So, who is responsible for the meticulous care of Barton’s 75-plus acres? The resident horticulturalist and grounds supervisor Anne Pierce, of course. Anne joined our campus community in April 2015, and she has never looked back.

Officially an employee of Aramark Facility Services that manages the College’s maintenance of facilities and grounds, Anne and her dedicated grounds crew are “true-blue” as they focus on Barton’s year-round curb appeal. She and her team take pride in enhancing our beautiful campus for students, faculty, staff, alumni, and guests. From keeping turf areas manicured and maintaining established plants to creating new landscape plantings and rotating seasonal displays of flowering plants, they do it all with devotion and great care.

And, when asked what she enjoys most about her work on campus, Anne is quick to say, “I absolutely love creating a living work of art while being able to work outside enjoying nature and fresh air. I really enjoy the vitality of Barton’s students, and I love being able to share my skills when working closely with student who may be volunteering their time or completing an internship.”

Anne adds that one of the most gratifying experiences on campus is working with student interns. “I had the opportunity to supervise an intern last year and watch her absorb both the knowledge and the skills from hands-on horticultural experiences on campus that will help further her career choice,” she explains. “It was very rewarding to know that I was able to serve as a mentor for this young person as she began to develop and pursue her own passion for horticulture.”

An enthusiastic employee who has proven to be a great team leader, Anne motivates her team to give their very best. And, she also works hard to motivate herself along the way, as she continues to follow her personal passion for plants and wildlife while also protecting the environment.

Her days on campus follow a well planned seasonal schedule, but when she does get away to pursue other interests, one can find Anne gardening “on her own turf” as well as spending quality time with family and friends. She also loves beachcombing for “little treasures,” watching great movies, creating pottery and jewelry, and trying new recipes. And, she is an avid reader of non-fiction and fiction. She reads everyday!

Anne has been married for 22 years, has five amazing children and 10 fabulous grandchildren. Now, add one aptly named rescue dog “Rascal,” a 14-year-old housecat known as “Beauregard,” and a few feral barn cats to the family mix. Indeed, her life is full.

Thankfully, Anne Pierce has made room in her very active life to embrace Barton College. Today, we celebrate her “heart for Barton” as she supervises the daily care of this beloved century-old campus with an artistic glint in her eye and a remarkably “green thumb.”