Heather Kirk Ballard

Dr. Heather Kirk Ballard serves as Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist in Sustainable Urban Landscapes within the Department of Horticulture at the University of Georgia's College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Her 55% Extension/40% Instruction/5% Service appointment focuses on developing climate-resilient landscaping practices for urban environments.

Her educational background includes:

• B.S. in Plant and Soil Systems (2001), Louisiana State University
• M.S. in Plant and Soil Systems (2004), Louisiana State University
• Ph.D. in Renewable Natural Resources (2012), Louisiana State University

Dr. Ballard's research emphasizes biodiversity enhancement through native plant integration, permeable hardscaping solutions, and water conservation techniques. Her extension programs specifically target stormwater pollution reduction, chemical use minimization, and heat island effect mitigation in urban planning. These initiatives educate policymakers, landscape professionals, and communities on creating aesthetically functional ecosystems that support climate adaptation.

No scientific awards were documented in the provided materials.

She instructs HORT 4090/6090 Sustainable Landscape Management and HORT 3440 Herbs, Spices, and Medicinal Plants while leading statewide extension initiatives. Her work bridges academic instruction with practical community implementation through CAES outreach channels, focusing on reducing food waste and promoting sustainable urban design principles.