By James Miller

The Casper College greenhouse remains open under the care of Mark Nelson despite harsh weather, countless responsibilities, and limited space.   

Nelson serves as the caretaker of the CC greenhouse, a position he’s held for the past five years. He is also the caretaker for the greenhouses at the Journey and Evansville elementary schools. His responsibilities extend from the inside of the greenhouse and include the potted plants in CC’s Wold Physical Science Center and the Loftin Life Science Center. He also takes care of the outdoor planters around campus.  

Nelson sees no shortage of obstacles in his role as the greenhouse caretaker. According to Nelson, the winters can be challenging for both the plants and animals. This last winter a bird of paradise plant unfortunately didn’t make it through the winter.   

One way Nelson claims to overcome the obstacle of Wyoming winters is through the use of space heaters. He said there are multiple heaters located around the greenhouse and several portable heaters on hand for places the fixed heaters can’t reach.  

Nelson carries many responsibilities as the greenhouse director, but he has additional help. 

“I’ve got a couple of work studies,” said Nelson, “There’s usually three of us up here.”  

The work studies help Nelson manage some of the responsibilities at the greenhouse; however, Nelson completes a lot of the work. 

Another challenge Nelson faces is the limited space of the greenhouse. Almost every area of the greenhouse is occupied by plants or an animal enclosure. Additionally, Nelson said that sharing the space with the classes can make this more challenging, but he doesn’t seem to mind giving up this space. Nelson hopes that the greenhouse will get more space one day; however, he will continue to do what he can until then. 

Additionally, Nelson asserted that the greenhouse’s role at the college frequently changes.  

“We got bounced around a lot. We’ve been part of the ag department and now we’re part of the science department. At one point we were part of something else. I think it’s where it belongs,” claimed Nelson.  

The greenhouse serves multiple purposes at CC, which includes hosting a nutrition class taught by Shauna Murphy, science professor. The nutrition class focuses on growing garden vegetables. According to Nelson, the class makes sure to grow plants that will produce fruit before the end of the semester.    

Murphy stressed how she sees the importance of Nelson as the greenhouse caretaker.  

“He keeps the bugs from killing our plants,” she said. “Whenever our students get neglectful, he waters their plants and keeps them alive.”  

The greenhouse runs plant sales occasionally to increase funding for the greenhouse.  

“I’m not sure if we’re gonna have one at Christmas time or not. We’ve got Christmas plants — some things that’ll flower at Christmas time,” Nelson said. “We’ll do a special order (and) get those up and going.”  

The greenhouse is dependent on both cash and plant donations. Many of the plants inside the greenhouse were donated at some point in time.  

Nelson said there are also some plants that were grown from seed, which include the watermelon plants outside the greenhouse.   

The greenhouse is home to animals that were donated, including two exotic birds, a box turtle, and a Russian tortoise. Nelson stressed the importance of the animals’ well-being and claims to put tending to the animals above everything else.  

“(We are])real careful about expending money on plants because it all goes to the maintenance and the birds,” said Nelson.  

Nelson’s favorite area of the greenhouse is the cactus room that holds several species of cactus and succulent plants. The room is also home to box turtles and a Russian tortoise.