Volunteer Spotlight: Mike Di Salvo

Chatham garden volunteer Mike Di Salvo

NPS Photo

“All my life, I’ve loved being around plants,” says Mike Di Salvo as he leans against the wooden posts of the Greenhouse beds. His passion for gardening began with a simple yet delicious tomato and cheese sandwich he loved as a child.

Originally from Springfield, Massachusetts, Mike eventually made his way to Virginia, where he retired as a high school math teacher and IT coach in the Alexandria school system. Since 2018, he has been a certified Master Gardener—an incredible asset to our park!

For the past four years, Mike has shared his expertise as a dedicated volunteer at Chatham Gardens. His favorite part of volunteering? The camaraderie. “It’s really fun to be around like-minded people who share my passion,” he says.

When asked to name his favorite plant at Chatham, Mike hesitates—it’s always changing with the seasons. But for him, the best part of gardening is watching plants transform with the weather, a reminder of nature’s ever-evolving beauty.

Thank you, Mike, for your hard work and dedication! You make our days green and bright.