A plant records specialist maintains the inventory and maps of the living plant collection of an organization - typically a public garden or other venue with significant plant collections. In addition, they keep records of the plant names used throughout the organization. Duties often include managing a plant records database system and archiving the living plant collection’s original acquisition documentation. The plant records specialist also typically makes display labels and maps, and provides reports about the collection.
TRAINING/EDUCATION NEEDED
The minimum education requirement is a Bachelor's degree. Additional degrees may be required for advanced positions.
WHERE TO STUDY
For 2- and 4-year college and university programs across the country, visit our Where to Study page.
SALARY EXPECTATIONS
In August 2020, the median yearly salary for a plant records specialist was $46,298, according to glassdoor.com. For more information, visit Glass Door. com's plant records page.
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND ASSOCIATIONS
VIDEOS AND TESTIMONIALS
For a peek into the world of plant records, check out this video from the San Diego Botanic Garden.
Jeremy Bugarchich explains what a Curator of Collections does at SDBGWhat does a Curator of Collections at a botanic garden do? We asked Jeremy Bugarchich, who is in charge of keeping track of the 5,000 plant speicies in our Garden to tell us:
Posted by San Diego Botanic Garden on Wednesday, November 7, 2018