Cathy Metz, Board President

As board president, Cathy sets agendas, chair board meetings, guides strategic planning, appoints committees and acts as the representative of the board to a variety of city and other organizations.  As Director of of Parks & Recreation for the city of Durango for 25 years, Cathy was instrumental in helping the Durango Botanic Gardens develop a Memorandum of Understanding with the city enabling DBG to build public gardens.  Joining the board in 2022, Cathy continues to expand the DBG relationship with the city and other local institutions.  

Barbara Johnson, Vice President
Barbara chairs the Marketing and Outreach committee. As such, she oversees and directs the organization's marketing and fundraising activities, including our annual Gardens on Tour and Bulb Sale. She is also a member of the Docent Training Committees and supervises the Great Garden Series and coordination with the library. 

Lynn Mitzlaff, Chair, Garden Maintenance

Lynn heads the garden maintenance program at the Durango Botanic Gardens, overseeing supplies and volunteer activities to keep the gardens looking great.  

Melanie Palmer, Curator

As Curator, Melanie arranges for the selection and planting of our trees, shrubs and other flora. She manages the Docent Progam, maintains our plant database, is the lead for the Classics section of the Literary Garden. 

Bill LeMaire, Past President

Bill served in the role of board president from 2020 to 2026.  He continues as a board member leading the annual Envisioning a Changing DurangoScape conference, overseeing the organization website, producing newsletters, and communication products.  

Darrin Parmenter, New Garden Development

Darrin is one of the founders of the Durango Botanic Gardens. He directs a number of our initiatives, including new gardens development and the Great Garden Series. Following 17 years as the La Plata County CSU Extension director and horitcultural agent, he was recently named name the CSU Extension Western Regional Director.