Food Systems, Agriculture and Community Gardens Expert Matthew Peterson

Matthew Peterson joined the ABQ BioPark as the Botanic Garden & Heritage Farm Manager in November 2020.  He provides overall leadership for the ABQ BioPark’s Botanic Garden, Heritage Farm and BUGarium.  Prior to joining the ABQ BioPark, Matthew served as the Assistant City Forester with City of Albuquerque’s Park and Recreation Department, in which he was committed to enhancing Albuquerque’s urban tree canopy.  Matthew first joined the city as Bosque Forester with the Open Space Division, in which he was responsible for providing recreational opportunities and restoring critical habitat for threatened and endangered species that habitat the Middle Rio Grande bosque.   In his current role, Matthew now provides leadership to ABQ BioPark curatorial staff who are tasked with managing “living collections,” to include arthropods and scorpions at the BUGarium, heritage breed animals and heirloom agricultural goods at the Heritage Farm and a wide array of flora at the Botanic Garden, for the purpose of connecting people, plants and animals.

Mr. Peterson earned his Bachelor of Science from the Ohio State University (2011).  He also maintains his certification as an International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist.