Krystal (Al) Bagnaschi ‘22

Krystal (Al) Bagnaschi ‘22 is a doctoral student in the Ecology, Evolution, Environment, and Society Program at Dartmouth College. Al is an agroecologist—a researcher and an activist working towards more sustainable, local, and just food systems. They are currently studying the adoption of agroforestry in New England (working with trees on farms) through an interdisciplinary lens, deeply shaped by their experiences at Smith.

While at Smith, Krystal studied food systems through majors in Environmental Science and Policy and Sociology, though her love for plants was mostly nurtured outside of the classroom. Krystal came to know and love the Botanic Garden of Smith College first through a work-study position, in which she worked alongside and learned from Director John Berryhill, Chief Gardener Nate Saxe, Chief Arborist Ben Green, and Gardener and Assistant Curator Dave Dion, caring for the outdoor gardens (including her own backyard, Capen Garden!) and campus arboretum. Later, Al continued work with John Berryhill through the Conservation Internship and Undergraduate Research Fellowship, where they conducted rare plant surveys for Native Plant Trust, collected and managed data on plant collections for the Global Conservation Consortia, and surveyed, collected, and propagated seeds all the way from the Smith College campus to Mount Rogers, the highest natural point in Virginia. These experiences gave Al practical experience in arboriculture and plant identification that they still use today, but more importantly, they gave her a deep sense of both responsibility and agency to make the world a better place for the plants and people on it.  

Krystal is grateful to be a part of the Friends Leadership Council, supporting the botanic garden’s mission to foster environmental and social justice through deepening relationships with plants, people, and place.