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Diane Dunlap examines
foliage in TROPIC WORLD.
STAFF Behind the Scenes: banana leaves for the primates, for example. She has created
exhibits for orchid shows at the zoo and the Chicago Flower
Meet a Brookfield Zoo Staff Member & Garden Show.
Each issue, we introduce you to one of Brookfield Zoo’s Dunlap begins planning months before plants go in. She
amazing staff members! Meet Diane Dunlap who works in has to figure out which plants she wants and find and order
CZS’s Grounds Department. them from greenhouses. When plants are delivered, they
go into the greenhouses to propagate and grow. If Dunlap’s
Job title: Lead Groundskeeper/Horticulturalist designs require rare flowers or ornamental grasses, she
grows them herself in our greenhouses.
Favorite animals: Tigers and lions
Tips for gardeners: Beware of myths—like the myth
Favorite plants: Black-and-blue salvia, petchoa flowers, that perennials don’t need a lot of care. Dunlap often uses
and pineapple sage annuals because they are more colorful than perennials and
can last all summer long. Don’t count on the same plants
Length of time here: 40 years working year after year; you can’t plan for weather, insects,
and diseases. Check out Dunlap’s work at BUTTERFLIES!
Typical day: Each day, Dunlap and her crew make sure all of the where beautiful plants provide much-needed habitat for
plants in the public areas are pruned, watered, and free of insects endangered species like monarch butterflies and honeybees.
and diseases. Any herbicide she uses must be safe for our guests,
animal residents, staff, and local wildlife. The months of April, May, Background: Dunlap grew up in Michigan and received a
September, and October are the busiest because Dunlap and her B.S. degree in horticulture from Michigan State. She is expert
crew are preparing the flower beds and putting in new plants. at creating landscaping that is beautiful and also conserves
Just tending to the ½-acre perennial bed that encircles Roosevelt water and other resources.
Fountain, and the four main beds nearby, is a full-time job—for
more than one person. Fun facts: Dunlap enjoys pruning, plucking, and planting
her own impeccable yard. She lives with her four cats: Lucky,
Dunlap is also responsible for plants growing in the Star, Blackbird, and the aptly named, Lucifer.
greenhouses, TROPIC WORLD, planters around the zoo, and the
BUTTERFLIES! garden. She grows plants for animal enrichment—
BROOKFIELD ZOO | SUMMER 2020 13
