Environmental Horticulture

Meet the Environmental Horticulture Team

Dr. Cynthia Nazario-Leary - Environmental Horticulture Agent

I am Dr. Cynthia Nazario-Leary, the UF/IFAS Alachua County Environmental Horticulture Extension Agent. I received my B.S. in Landscape Contracting from the Pennsylvania State University. My interest in tropical ecosystems and ethnobotany led me to pursue a M.S. in Horticulture from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, studying propagation methods of breadfruit, followed by a doctorate in Natural Resources & Environmental Management, researching the development of a native plant agroforestry system. I began working in Extension as an urban horticulture agent for the University of Hawaiʻi in Maui County where I coordinated the Master Gardener Volunteer Program, served the needs of the gardening public, and supported the county's floriculture industry. After 20 years in Hawaiʻi, my family and I moved to Gainesville, Florida where I had the opportunity to provide science outreach to youth and teachers as a science education and training specialist for the University of Florida, Center for Precollegiate Education and Training. I am very excited to return to Extension and look forward to combining my passion for teaching with my love for nature and plants and sharing that with the Alachua County community.