Governance

The Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden is governed through a private/public collaboration between the Los Angeles Arboretum Foundation and the County of Los Angeles through its Parks and Recreation Department.

The Los Angeles Arboretum Foundation is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization, co-manages the Arboretum in partnership with the County Department of Parks and Recreation. Founded in 1947, the Foundation was instrumental in creating the Arboretum and fostering its early development.  From its beginnings, the Foundation has provided new gardens and education programs serving Southern California. Today, the Foundation leads a broad community of members, volunteers and donors in establishing the support needed to realize the Arboretum’s potential as a premier public garden and educational resource. In an era of economic challenge and reduced public budgets, this role is of increasing importance

Board of Trustees

Annette Castro Ramirez, President
Kathleen Ellison, Vice President
Sean Cain, CPA, Treasurer
Heidi Hood, Secretary
Michael Desplaines, CEO

Debbie Andersen
Robert Barnes
Susanne Cohen
Marie Csete, MD, PhD
Imy Dulake
Erica Hahn
Dongmei Huang
Justin Hutchings
Harlan Irvine
Ilona Linden
Victoria Stratman
John Tegtmeyer
Betsey Tyler

Honorary Trustees

George A. Brumder
Dan Foliart
Burks L. Hamner
Kenneth D. Hill, PhD
Susan Kranwinkle
Bill Lincoln
G. Arnold Mulder, MD
Gilbert N. Resendez

Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation: The Department provides residents and visitors of Los Angeles County with quality recreational opportunities that promote a healthy lifestyle and strengthen the community through diverse physical, educational, and cultural programming, and enhances the community environment by acquiring, developing and maintaining County parks, gardens, golf courses, trails and open spaces.  http://parks.lacounty.gov/

Norma E. Garcia-González, Director
Kevin Regan, Deputy Director
Hugo Maldonado, Regional Operations Manager

Los Voluntarios: Founded in 1966, the Los Voluntarios is made up of 300 men and women, active and sustaining members, who contribute over 30,000 hours of service to the Arboretum annually. The Los Voluntarios president participates in meetings of the Los Angeles Arboretum Foundation board of trustees.

Laura Luna, President