Tim Metcalf, longtime director of the UC Davis Botanical Conservatory, retires June 30. A public celebration in his honor is scheduled from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. June 6 at the conservatory. (A retirement party is planned in the fall.)

In his four decades at the conservatory, Metcalf has turned a small plant collection into a vibrant resource for classroom teaching, student projects and internships, and public education, particularly outreach to schoolchildren around the region.

"Tim's selfless personality makes everyone who visits the conservatory feel welcome," curator Ernesto Sandoval said.

Thousands of people have met Metcalf and seen his handiwork during public events such as the annual Conservatory Open House and Picnic Day, and when the conservatory's smelly "corpse flower" plants (Titan arum) are in bloom — occasions that draw the public and the media.

RSVP for the June 6 celebration by e-mailing Ernesto Sandoval, jesandoval@ucdavis.edu.

-- Sylvia Wright