Georgia State University's Perimeter College Welcomes Taffany Hyatt as Botanical Garden Manager

ATLANTA, Ga. — Georgia State University Perimeter College has named Taffany Hyatt as its new botanical garden manager.

Hyatt brings nearly a decade of experience in horticulture, environmental education, urban agriculture, sustainability, community engagement and landscape management. Throughout her career, she has developed educational programs, managed growing spaces, coordinated volunteer initiatives and cultivated partnerships that connect communities with environmental stewardship and hands-on learning.

Prior to joining Perimeter College, Hyatt served as education and outreach coordinator for Partners in Action for Healthy Living, where she led environmental education, sustainability and climate-action initiatives. She also served as an agriculture career collaborative instructor at Emory University’s Urban Health Initiative, teaching greenhouse management, horticulture and regenerative agriculture practices, and as garden site coordinator for the Wylde Center, where she managed community garden operations, volunteers and educational programming.

"As communities increasingly seek innovative approaches to sustainability, environmental education and food access, I remain committed to creating meaningful opportunities for learning, engagement and collective impact," Hyatt said.

Located on Georgia State University's Decatur Campus, the Perimeter College Native Plant Botanical Garden serves as a living laboratory where education, environmental stewardship and community engagement come together. The five-acre Botanical Garden features more than 5,000 species of native, rare and endangered plants from Georgia and across the United States and is home to one of the nation's most extensive collections of ferns. Originally established in 1990 to preserve native southeastern plants, the Botanical Garden has grown into a regional resource for conservation, research and education and is recognized as one of the largest collections of native plants in Georgia.

The Botanical Garden supports Perimeter College's commitment to experiential learning by providing opportunities for students, faculty and visitors to explore plant diversity, native habitats, conservation practices and sustainable landscaping. Its collections include native plant communities, bog habitats, woodland areas, pollinator-friendly spaces and the renowned Ferns of the World collection.

"We are excited to welcome Taffany to Perimeter College," said Perimeter College Dean Dr. Barbara Johnson. "Her experience in horticulture, environmental education and community engagement aligns perfectly with our mission of providing transformative learning opportunities for our students. We look forward to the leadership and vision she will bring to the Botanical Garden and the continued growth of our sustainability initiatives on the Decatur Campus."

In her new role, Hyatt will oversee operations, programming, educational initiatives, volunteer engagement and stewardship efforts for the Native Plant Botanical Garden while supporting opportunities for student learning and community involvement.

— Story by Linda Hensel