Carin joined the Board of the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens in October 2026 and serves on the Human Resources Committee. She brings more than 20 years of human resources experience and leadership to her board service, along with a hands-on commitment as a weekly volunteer.

Carin and her wife moved from Oregon to Fort Bragg two years ago, seeking new opportunities to enjoy their shared passions and become part of the community. With a lifelong love of gardening, she quickly found a home at MCBG. For the past year and a half, Carin has harvested vegetables each week for delivery to the local Food Bank, helping connect the Gardens’ bounty with those who need it. She also tends the perennial garden, indulging her love of “primping” plants while giving back to the community.

Choosing a favorite plant is no easy task. Carin is drawn to the colorful poppies that spring up throughout the landscape, the Moroccan fir with its unusual, almost plastic-like leaves, and Camellia sinensis, the plant behind green, black, and oolong teas. Dahlias, begonias, fuchsias, and roses are also among her favorites. For her, the Gardens offer an endless variety of plants, colors, and discoveries.

Outside of her work at MCBG, Carin enjoys cooking and spending time in the kitchen. She also has a memorable adventure in her past: training a team of huskies to pull specially designed trail scooters. Her enthusiasm for gardening, community service, and trying new things reflects the spirit she brings to the Gardens and its Board.