Pandra Williams, Director
Pandra Williams is an environmental artist and environmental activist based in Atlanta, Georgia since 1979, where she is represented by the Kiang Gallery. Pandra’s art installations present a direct dialogue between environmentally inspired objects and environmental activism. www.pandrawilliams.com
Her work with native plants began in 2001 when she worked with the Southeastern Climber’s Coalition (SCC) to preserve acreage of the Boat Rock Ridgeline in Southwest Fulton County, GA. She participated in an effort to rescue many plants in the area that were going to be destroyed by development. Since then, she has continued to propagate local native piedmont plants and has used every opportunity available to learn more
During this effort it became apparent that information about native plants and plant communities was not well developed, and there were few landscape professionals who were aware of the benefits of using native plants. Even if they did, few species were available. As a result, she incorporated EcoAddendum, as a Georgia non profit organization, and assembled the team to create a way to propagate and return Georgia’s native plants to the Georgia Piedmont.
Hilary Nichols, Nursery and Volunteer Manager
Hilary Nichols consolidates a full range of experiences for EcoAddendum, from plants of course to record-keeping and volunteers to garden writing and teaching.
Her early internships at Longwood Gardens’ Conservatory and the British Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew’s Temperate House began the botanical allure she followed to Atlanta. At the Atlanta Botanical Garden from 2005 to 2010, Ms. Nichols’ passion was designing, installing and maintaining many perennial beds, the Rock Garden, as well as co-designing winter displays. Her time there honed her enthusiasm and skill in perennial propagation. She created their perennial inventory database and lovingly managed the outdoor horticulture volunteer program. Many enjoyed the varied adult gardening classes she carefully researched, developed, and regularly conducted. Covering topics ranging from pruning for any and every reason, soil amending, to different container gardens, she has something to interest just about everyone.
Ms. Nichols is quite involved in the Georgia Perennial Plant Association through their spring symposium and monthly meeting raffles. She has spun creative delight into her articles for Fine Gardening Magazine since 2007, and helps us see our plants, insects, and garden spaces from fun new perspectives. We welcome her presence here at EcoAddendum. Ms. Nichols looks forward to fine-tuning and focusing our growing nursery, energizing our volunteer program, and developing our adult class offerings.
Lauren Sandoval, Coordinator Birds Butterflies & Bees Program
Lauren joined the EcoAddendum team to combine two of her interests, having her hands in the soil and teaching. Originally from California, she moved to the South to attend the University of Alabama where she earned a B.A. in Philosophy and Psychology. Furthering her education, she also recently completed a rigorous certification program in the field of Cognitive Science from the University of Central Florida. Lauren is proud to be heading up the Birds, Butterflies and Bee Program and is excited to work with and contribute to the EcoAddendum team.
In her spare time, Lauren coaches girls volleyball and is a member of the Atlanta Ladies Gaelic Football Team Clan Na nGael.
Cecilia Marrero, Birds Butterflies and Bees Facilitator
Cecilia began her passion for learning about environment in 2002 attending the University of West Florida where she graduated with a BA in Environmental Studies Policy, integrated by working for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection in Pensacola, FL. As Nursery Manager, she helped conduct a large restoration effort called Project Greenshores, which achieved much recognition for its success for embracing the local saltmarsh habitat.
Her other passion is soccer and has competed on the international level playing for the Icelandic Premier League. She is currently a member of the Atlanta Silverbacks Women’s Semi-Professional Soccer team. Cecilia is proud to be a key member of the Ecoaddendum Team, putting to work her past experiences and utilizing her team members strengths, she plans to further her knowledge for restoring wildlife habitat.
Sarah Collman, Artscapes Program Educator
Sarah Collman is a gifted art educator and artist, able to lead young students and adults alike with inspiring art activities that use materials and methods in fresh, fun ways.
From 2000-2007, Ms. Collman developed, supervised and coordinated the highly successful art program and summer camp at Chastain Art Center, conducting various themed art activities for children ages 2-13 years old. These activities encouraged exploration of senses through painting, drawing, printmaking, collage, sculpture, crafts and hand-building. As well as working at area art centers, Ms. Collman has had an opportunity to develop her own workshops and private lessons for children and adults. She is fully involved in the experience of conducting these workshops and lessons from start to finish. Her duties included marketing, being in charge of daily operations, parental contact, first aid assistance, scheduling, and instruction of projects.
Ms. Collman is currently working with EcoAddendum in the research and development of multi-age programming for the EcoAddendum Artscapes program. The Artscapes program focuses student and participant awareness on the importance of native plants to our pollinators, our landscape, cultural history, and our wildlife.
