Our Board of Directors is made up of passionate, dedicated individuals who bring experience and expertise to the Native Plant Initiative. Each member of our board plays a vital role in guiding our organization's mission to promote the use of native plants, support biodiversity, and educate our community on native plants and gardening practices. With diverse backgrounds in horticulture, conservation, education, and business, our board members work collaboratively to shape the strategic vision of NPI and ensure our programs and initiatives have a lasting, positive impact. Get to know the leaders who are driving our mission forward and learn more about their commitment to creating a greener, healthier environment for all. Board elections take place each year in November.
Tammany Baumgarten is the founding President of NPI, serving since its inception in 2019. She is a horticulturist and the owner-operator of BaumGardens, a landscape design firm in New Orleans specializing in native and habitat gardens. She is a New Orleans Master Gardener and also serves on the board of the Louisiana Native Plant Society where she co-founded the Louisiana Certified Habitat program. Tammany oversees seed collection, packing, and distribution, heads NPI administration of the Louisiana Certified Habitat Program, developed and organizes the Native Plant Giveaway Program, and oversees the general operation and government of NPI and the Board of Directors.
Matt brings a passionate interest in elevating local flora above the status quo. Additionally, his history in the editing booth means he brings an almost "storyboard view" approach to initiatives for the NPI. Matt assists in communications and works on creative ways to engage our membership.
Dexter Ellis is a native plant enthusiast with a professional knack for explaining science. With a background in biology and a love for storytelling, he's passionate about sharing the world of native plants with others to protect and create more biodiverse habitats. In addition to sitting on the board, Dexter works on creating educational content for our website and social media, runs social media communications for NPI, helps organize and plan membership activities, and helps develop new merchandise.
Debbie de la Houssaye worked as an artistic attaché in New Orleans for the Government of France, has a degree in social work, and serves on the board of the New Orleans Jazz Celebration (NOJC). She is an avid gardener at home and volunteers for Longue Vue House and Gardens as well. As Secretary, Debbie records board meetings but also helps as needed with membership activities and other events like native plant giveaways and tabling around town.
Cheryl is a horticulturist, landscape designer, and owner of Secret Garden Landscapes with over 20 years experience. The genius of nature and ecology guide her approach to gardening. She further promotes the mission of creating ecologically functional landscapes through education and community outreach, serving as board member for the Native Plant Initiative of Greater New Orleans. As a board member she organizes membership meetings, guides volunteers in native plant garden tending and cleanup, and lead NPI to winning 1st place in education booth display at the Botanical Garden show, fall ‘23 and spring ‘24!
Elaine joined the NPI Board in 2024 and contributes her experience working with the city and Carrollton neighborhood and knowledge of native gardening in small urban spaces.
Kalaya has lived in New Orleans most of her life. She studied microbiology in college and continues to work as a research scientist and studio artist. Kalaya wants to share her curiosity and love of native plants to increase awareness of how we are all connected to the environment that we share with nature. Kalaya organizes and keeps watch over all of NPI’s finances, pays the bills and monitors grant income and project expenditures and also assists with tabling and Giveaway events as able. She is also working with Susan Norris-Davis on adding data to the Good Weed/Bad Weed database.