CAFRE graduate pursues international conservation career

Date published: 23 September 2026

Audrey completed the Foundation Degree in Horticulture at Greenmount Campus, graduating in 2023. Since leaving CAFRE, she has continued her academic journey, successfully completing a Master's degree at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE), where she also worked and volunteered alongside her studies. Her thesis research on the Vireya rhododendron group earned her the prestigious Top Student Award.

Reflecting on her journey into Horticulture, Audrey explained that her path was not a traditional one.

"Prior to studying at CAFRE, I had no formal horticultural training. I had a BA with a major in German, but I also had a small coastal garden and volunteered with the National Trust, North Coast Estates, where I acquired some basic plant knowledge. CAFRE provided a strong horticultural foundation that enabled me to progress to MSc level. Key learnings included applied botanical horticulture, which helped me later with my understanding of taxonomy, plant conservation and scientific research methods."

Throughout her time at RBGE, Audrey combined study with practical experience, working across a wide range of horticultural and conservation activities. Her responsibilities included assisting with nursery and glasshouse operations, maintaining tropical plant collections, pest inspection and control, plant propagation and supporting conservation projects. She also gained valuable experience in the herbarium, undertaking specimen identification and taxonomic research.

Among the highlights of her career so far are contributing to Scottish native plant conservation projects, working with rare and threatened plant species, and participating in an international field trip to Colombia to study tropical plant diversity.

Looking ahead, Audrey is preparing for an exciting new chapter in her career. She will soon travel to Borneo, Singapore and Hong Kong, where she plans to work with botanic gardens and conservation organisations, building on the expertise she has developed through both her CAFRE and RBGE studies.

When asked what advice she would give to those considering a career in horticulture, Audrey highlighted the breadth of opportunities available within the industry.

"Horticulture is such a huge, diverse industry, so any way of gaining practical experience through volunteering, alongside pursuing further education, can open pathways into specialist horticulture, conservation and research roles. Practical horticultural experience has opened many doors for me, such as working at the nurseries of botanic gardens. It's not just gardening!"

Interested in a career in Horticulture?

If Audrey's story has inspired you, join us at the Horticulture Open Day on Wednesday 9 October at Greenmount Campus. Find out more about our horticulture courses, meet staff and students, and explore the excellent facilities available to support your future career in the horticulture industry. Visit the CAFRE website to book your place.