Want to Turn Over a New Leaf? Try Horticulture!
Posted at 4:39 pm February 26, 2008 by DanaZoo InternQuest is a career exploration program for high school students. For more information see the Zoo InternQuest Journals. For more photos see the Zoo InternQuest Photo Journal.
I eagerly rushed down to Balboa Park to meet with Andy Dannenberger, one of the many horticulturists on staff at the San Diego Zoo. He introduced us to the Monkey Trails habitat and talked about his daily jobs and routines. Andy is a specialty gardener for a number of the exhibits at the Zoo. For example, he is in charge of all horticultural work at Flamingo Lagoon, near the front entrance of the Zoo. Did you know that 99 flamingos live at Flamingo Lagoon? There are also about 70 individual specimens of palms representing nearly 20 different species! Now THAT is diversity!
Mr. Dannenberger has been a horticulturist for nearly 17 years, but has only worked for the San Diego Zoo for about two years. He was initially part of the “Limbs Crew” but is now part of the “A to Z” team. As he hiked us along exotic dirt paths, Mr. Dannenberger explained that he originally wanted a job with the government, but his wife encouraged him instead to make use of his educational training in agriculture. So here he is, working hard to beautify and care for the immaculate grounds of the World-Famous San Diego Zoo. Typical workday hours for a horticulturist at the Zoo are 6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The first hours are spent in the animal enclosures before the Zoo opens, then it’s on to the public garden areas.
Mr. Dannenberger attended high school and college at the same time, splitting his hours between Oceanside High School and Mira Costa College. He then spent two years at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, completing a bachelor’s degree in agricultural business. Mr. Dannenberger rounded out his schooling with the completion of six specialty certificates, making him an ideal candidate for a great job at the Zoo!
Dana, Careers Team
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