Meet Susan Schrader

Susan was born to a Navy family in San Diego, California, but her family moved to Jacksonville, Florida when she was an infant. When her father left the Navy, they moved to Atlanta, Georgia where she grew up.

Susan attended North Georgia College (now a university) and she finished at University of Georgia (go Dogs). She had the opportunity to attend Semester at Sea while in school and was fortunate to visit South America, Africa and Europe.

While traveling to New York to visit family, Susan thought Virginia was a pretty state. Atlanta was getting too big, so lucky for us, she decided to move to Virginia.

Susan loves nature and the outdoors and wanted to become more knowledgeable. She enjoys working with others enhancing the community. Her class was impacted by COVID in that some sessions were conducted online. She believes the instructors handled both the online and in- person classes in an excellent manner.

Susan attained most of her initial fifty hours at Weyanoke Bird and Wildlife Sanctuary and Li’l Sprouts, but the Potager Garden at Norfolk Botanical Garden and the Fred Heutte Square Foot Garden helped her get over the finish line. She helped at the Zoo Garden once, planted some grasses at the Hermitage and learned about trees with the Significant Tree Program at Cedar Grove Cemetery.

Her favorite projects are Li’l Sprouts and the Weyanoke Bird and Wildlife Sanctuary. Weyanoke reminds her of working with her family on a plot of land at Lake Lanier in Flowery Branch, Georgia.

Susan has a kitty named Sophie. When she’s not working with the Norfolk Master Gardeners she likes to travel. She would like to be a better photographer and take up tennis again. She enjoys spending time with her niece and nephew and their children in Maine.

When you see Susan, be sure to introduce yourself and welcome her to the NMGA.