Yew Dell’s Paul Cappiello Sees Retirement as a Shift, Not a Slowdown

By Kelsey Knott • Photo Provided

In the woods and in gardens, Paul Cappiello is energized by what weird plants may be afoot. 

So while the self-proclaimed “lifelong science geek” is retiring as Executive Director from Yew Dell Botanical Gardens at the end of this year, his plans for retirement go beyond leisure.

Serving in this role since 2002, Cappiello has grown the employees, volunteers, and board members significantly, investing in what makes the organization truly special: the people.

Cappiello studied environmental planning and design at Rutgers University before earning his master’s and Ph.D. in horticulture from the University of Illinois, where he focused on tree physiology. Before coming to Yew Dell, he taught horticulture at the University of Maine and later worked as the Horticulture Director at Bernheim Arboretum & Research Forest. At Yew Dell, he oversees planning, fundraising, public programs, and horticultural research. Cappiello remains involved in academia, currently working with University of Louisville Envirome Center on practical and research projects as well as holding an adjunct appointment with UK.

During his graduate school years at the University of Illinois, Cappiello brought horticulture students here to see spring sooner at Bernheim Forest and Cave Hill Cemetery. “Louisville is a nurturing city; it’s such a southern city. We have a supportive, dedicated, and committed group of people. They’re creative and energetic, and we can do cool stuff because we have amazingly talented people.” Growing up around the old-growth forests 15 minutes from Times Square, he appreciates the small-scale charm this city emanates and the opportunity to see his impact. “We have never worried about becoming the biggest, the best, the most–We work hard, do cool stuff, and treat people with respect.”

Yew Dell’s hiking trails, woods, and lakes are diverse and spectacular. “There's amazing layers of horticulture, history, sociology, and nature here. It’s a magical atmosphere. You might see flocks of four hundred sandhill cranes landing here.” Back when Yew Dell was merely 34-acres, Cappiello still knew people were the driving force behind it all. “Volunteers thank us for letting them come out and spend their free time pulling weeds, giving tours, or making sure people don’t have to take their own pictures. A volunteer this morning told me coming here is the best part of her retirement.”

Cappiello recognizes how important places like Yew Dell are for mental health and well-being, noting that in the days following 9/11, natural spaces like Yew Dell all over the country set attendance records. “We did free admission after the shooting at Hurstbourne’s Kroger, and I think we had 3,000 people show up for tours. People need this stuff, if they’re botanical garden geeks or just coming out for lunch to read a book on a bench.” 

Though he likes leisure time, Cappiello doesn’t see his retirement as slowing down or backing away, but simply changing focus. You’ll still see Paul around Yew Dell for upcoming projects and community events. “I’m excited to see where all this goes. We’ve spent the last 20 years building a platform, and now we get to see what we can do with it.” His award-winning work focuses on ornamental plants, finding and evaluating new plants, and researching plant propagation, breeding, and cold hardiness. He has written and lectured extensively about horticulture and co-authored a book about dogwoods, and he hopes to write more in retirement.

One thing is for certain–Paul’s example of what magic can take place when energetic, hard-working people uplift a space is a legacy that’s sure to continue at Yew Dell.