Alum is a master 'green thumb'

College alumna and retired academic advisor Suzie Leslie was featured in the November/December 2016 issue of Virginia Gardener magazine for her efforts to create a biologically balanced landscape in her 1 1/2 acre yard in Blacksburg. Over the past 16 years, she has worked doggedly to convert the lawn to understory trees, shrubs, and an herbaceous layer, incorporating native species throughout the landscape and using sustainable, eco-friendly gardening practices. She uses her garden as an educational platform, welcoming groups of Master Gardeners, Master Naturalists, and others to hear about creating backyard habitats for wildlife and gardening with native plants. The college is indebted to Suzie for creating and continuing to maintain the butterfly garden outside the main entrance to Cheatham Hall. Thanks, Suzie!