Becca Ohman was recently named executive director of Garvan Woodland Gardens in Hot Springs. She had been serving as interim director since January 2024, after the retirement of Bob Bledsoe, who'd served the garden for 22 years.

Garvan Woodland Gardens, an outreach center of the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design at the U of A, officially opened to the public with a dedication ceremony on April 7, 2002. It had been years in the making since Verna Cook Garvan donated the 210-acre property in 1985 to the then-School of Architecture at the U of A. The land had once been part of Garvan's father's lumber business. The garden now operates with a staff of 60 with seasonal employees for Holiday Lights and welcomes more than 200,000 visitors annually.

"Becca proved to be successful assuming additional duties in the interim role, demonstrating the necessary skills and abilities in strategic leadership and operational oversight required for the executive director role," said Peter MacKeith, dean of the Fay Jones School. "Throughout the review process leading to this promotion, she communicated a clear and committed comprehension of the Gardens' mission and an equivalent demonstration of the necessary perspective and vision for the executive director position and the Gardens' future.

"I look forward to working with Becca on our many Gardens projects and to seeing her leadership enrich the Gardens staff and overall operations," MacKeith continued. "My thanks as well to the Gardens staff for their patience and commitment to the ongoing quality of the Gardens throughout this leadership transition period. Please join me in congratulating Becca on this deserved promotion."

Ohman's own journey to Garvan Gardens began when she was a landscape architecture student at the U of A in the late 1990s.

"I still remember the excitement in studio when the original Garvan Master Plan was being developed by faculty," she said. "It was an inspiring time, full of great energy for what was to come."

After completing her Bachelor of Landscape Architecture in 2000, Ohman was inspired to pursue a career that combines her love for nature, design and people. She spent several years working in both public and private practice in Colorado and Northwest Arkansas — with a focus on landscape design and urban planning.

She then returned to her hometown of Hot Springs, where she initially joined Garvan Gardens to support design and construction administration projects. Soon after, however, she stepped into the role of garden director, a position she held for more than 12 years before becoming interim and now executive director.

"This feels like the right time for me to step into the role of executive director," Ohman said. "My experience and deep connection to this garden have prepared me to help guide it into its next chapter. I'm passionate about honoring the remarkable work that has come before us while discovering fresh and inspiring ways to grow. More than anything, I'm committed to connecting people with art and nature in ways that feel meaningful and uplifting. I'm excited to work alongside such a talented team and to find new ways for the garden to serve and enrich our community."

As garden director, Ohman focused her work on the development of new garden spaces and architecture for Garvan Gardens while connecting people to the benefits and beauty provided in the unique woodland setting.

"Transitioning from garden director to executive director offers a unique perspective and valuable continuity," she said. "My experience has provided a deep understanding of the stewardship required to maintain our exceptional gardens and facilities, and how these spaces serve as a foundation for our educational programs, community outreach, seasonal displays and other mission-driven initiatives."

Growing the University's Botanical Gardens

The mission of Garvan Gardens is multifaceted and a constant guide to Ohman and the staff — with the ultimate goal of connecting people with art and nature. The leadership and staff work to preserve and enhance a unique part of the Ouachita environment; provide people with a place of learning, research, cultural enrichment and serenity; develop and sustain gardens, landscapes and structures of exceptional aesthetics, design and construction; and partner with and serve communities of which Garvan Gardens is a part.

"Our team brings renewed energy to developing programs, education and events that welcome new visitors, rekindle a sense of connection with the natural world and inspire a deeper understanding of our shared role as environmental stewards," Ohman said. "All of this takes place in the inspiring setting of our cultivated gardens and surrounding woodlands."

Ohman said she's enthusiastic about several current projects and initiatives at Garvan Gardens. The design for the Ross and Mary Whipple Family Forest Education Center is finalized, with construction beginning soon. This project has been developed through several design studios with Fay Jones School students.

"The Whipple Family Forest Education Center is the cornerstone of our efforts to restore native forests, educate our guests about Arkansas forests and timber, expand nature-based learning and deepen our collaborations with the University of Arkansas and the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design," she said.

Another major design project at Garvan Gardens is the Woodland Parkway Entry Sequence, designed by Terrain Work. This is a redesign of the current entry, vehicular and pedestrian circulation systems. Guests soon will arrive in a garden setting, beginning their Garvan Gardens experience the moment they step out of their vehicles.

In summer 2025, they offered nature-based learning opportunities for students through camps and other programs. And they had summer internships and completed the Villes des Pollinisateurs art installation — both done in collaboration with the Fay Jones School's Landscape Architecture Department and the Horticulture Department in the Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences.

Garvan Gardens staff also are working to reduce barriers and improve accessibility for Garland County residents to participate in the benefits and resources offered at the garden through partnerships such as the Book Trail with the Garland County Library. They also encourage their peers throughout the community by participating in community-based activities such as Arts and the Park and the Cherry Blossom Festival.

As for significant successes during her tenure thus far, Ohman points to the completion of nearly 75% of the garden's 2008 Averill Master Plan, as well as more than $11 million in grants received from the Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Council to support various initiatives and projects. She said they also have cultivated a team that is passionate about their work and the future of Garvan Gardens.

In 2018, the construction of the Bob and Sunny Evans Tree House, designed by Modus Studio, was completed. In 2024, the first phase of the Woodland Parkway Entry Sequence Planning and Design was completed. Additional recently completed projects include the Sharon Griffith Turrentine Falling Leaves Pavilion, designed by Jennings + Santa-Rita Architects, and the Lee Vandegrift Felts Sculpture Garden, which features the work of the artist Tim Cherry.

In 2027, Garvan Gardens will celebrate 25 years of serving the public. Ohman said they are on solid footing and ready to step confidently into the next chapter of growth and discovery. The leadership and staff remain inspired by the vision Mrs. Garvan laid out for them, and they are excited to carry that legacy forward with fresh energy, clear direction and a deep sense of purpose.

"As part of the state's vision for growth in outdoor recreation, we hope to expand our offerings for eco-tourism opportunities that celebrate our location on Lake Hamilton and the rolling terrain of the Ouachita Mountains," she said. "Visitors also will experience a dynamic blend of art and nature as thoughtfully curated exhibitions enhance the well-known beauty of our gardens." 

Ohman also holds a master's degree in nonprofit leadership and management from Arizona State University. She lives with her husband, two sons and a myriad of pets in Hot Springs.