May 28, 2021

The Santa Fe Botanical Garden recognizes the leadership and vision of its first executive director (2003-2014) through the creation of the Linda Milbourn College Internship Program. This educational opportunity is designed to promote in-depth knowledge of public garden management, hands-on horticulture, landscape design, sustainability and community partnership to a college level student or recent college graduate. The eight-week summer program takes place at the Botanical Garden at Museum Hill and the Leonora Curtin Wetland Preserve. The intern works directly with staff, volunteers and project partners in New Mexico.

Meet Francesca Galliano, 2021 Linda Milbourn College Intern

Francesca is a Miami, Florida native and recent 2021 Environmental Studies B.A. graduate from the New College of Florida (NCF). Throughout her 4-years of undergraduate studies, she has gained experience in working as the Compost Program Coordinator and Teaching Assistant for NCF, where she was involved with compost production and education outreach. After attending University of New Mexico (UNM) on exchange for Spring 2020, she founded, along with 2 other peers, UNM’s first on-campus composting program. UNM’s Compost Initiative will be implemented this fall. 

She is looking forward to helping Santa Fe Botanical Garden establish its own composting system and divert green waste to the Garden and back into the ground.

In her free time, Francesca enjoys hiking, reading, music and spending time with her friends and family.

The Linda Milbourn College Internship Program

The dream of a botanical garden was realized not only because of Linda’s determination but also her admirable collaborative spirit, integrity, kindness and humor. The program honors her love of gardens and lifelong learning through on-site education of a future generation of environmental leaders. The internship was made possible by an anonymous donor in the hope that it will attract additional funding to support this learning opportunity for many years to come. Additional contributions can be made in memory of Linda Milbourn to this fund by including a comment to an online donation or a note when mailing a check.

Linda Milbourn Executive Director (2003-2014)