How do we get an entire cultural organization on-board with accessibility and inclusion? For every organization this looks different: whether it’s forming an internal IDEA committee, senior leadership with personal community connections, passionate...

Test your accessibility knowledge while hearing first-hand accounts of people who have come together at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden (BBG) to create more inclusive experiences for visitors. Join advisors, consultants, and staff from BBG, to learn about...

ACORN (Arboretum COllections & Resources Nexus) provides online access to the special collections of the Sterling Morton Library and other Morton Arboretum resources like images, videos, and documents. This is an amazing resource for educators,...

Learn how to take your presentation skills to the next level with advice and insights from seasoned speaker Brian Vogt, CEO of Denver Botanic Gardens. A brief Q&A follows his presentation. This talk was given during the May 2022 Council of...

Did you know that more than 2/3 of charitable giving in the U.S. happens between November 15 and December 31 each year?  If you don’t offer your donors the chance to support your garden in that window, they will not have the chance to say “Yes!”  Is it...

An interactive, meditative “stroll” guided by Judy Beaudette, who explains the history behind forest bathing (‘shinrin yoku’ in Japan), a research-based mindfulness practice that offers wellness through immersion in nature. Evidence-based research...

Many gardens turned to Zoom in a hurry last year to build out virtual programming for youth and adult educational programs, large meetings, and other events. The convenience and accessibility of online programming helped broaden audiences and overcome...

The term “urban forest” is often used to refer to all the trees within a city or town. But the urban forest is part of a much larger social-ecological landscape that supports a complex web of biodiversity, ecosystem services, values, and cultures.  The...

Hear from a diverse panel on how to use inclusive interpretation of gardens and historic landscapes to reach a broader audience.

Panelists include Shaun Spencer-Hester of the Anne Spencer House & Garden Museum, Lynchburg, VA; Peggy Cornett...

Karen Daubmann, Associate Vice President for Exhibitions and Public Engagement at the New York Botanical Garden, illuminates participatory art programs associated with exhibitions that develop conservation attitudes and activism among visitors.

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Diverse perspectives and approaches to learning and knowing can strengthen our work in urban and community forestry. Indigenous and local knowledge is embedded in the concept of biocultural stewardship - an approach to working with communities...

How do you create that perfect combination of interpretive vehicles to reach your various audiences? Our panelists explore the right mix of brochures, QR codes, signage, apps, and other tools to connect our visitors to our beautiful garden spaces....

This session highlights the unique roles artists and art play in creatively inspiring, engaging, and empowering the public to care about nature, and take action to address today's critical ecological issues. Elayna Toby Singer shares strategies from...

A strong interpretive theme statement provides a clear big idea and the "so what" message that can help deepen visitor experience. Interpretive themes are typically used for signage projects and programming, but they can be used for so much more. In...

Join our virtual panel where you will hear from nonprofit leaders at the Center for Disaster Philanthropy (CDP), the American Red Cross, the Community Foundation of the Ozarks (CFO), and Candid that have experience mobilizing funds during moments of...

Community foundations play a key role in the development of local communities. The San Francisco Foundation, the Denver Foundation, and Candid discuss how their donor-advised funds (DAFs) are creating a positive impact in their communities. The...

Tree planting can help communities achieve many resiliency goals such as cooling heat islands, reducing stormwater floods, and building neighborhood cohesion. But trees can only do these things if they survive and thrive to maturity. CommuniTree is a...

Presentation from the October, 2019 Seeds of Engagement: Cultivating a Vibrant and Diverse Volunteer Program, Volunteer Engagement Community Symposium. 

Presenter(s) from Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden 

Presentation from the October, 2019 Seeds of Engagement: Cultivating a Vibrant and Diverse Volunteer Program, Volunteer Engagement Community Symposium. 

Presented by: Catrina “Cat” Dillard
Volunteer & Guest Services Coordinator, North...

Presentation from the October, 2019 Seeds of Engagement: Cultivating a Vibrant and Diverse Volunteer Program, Volunteer Engagement Community Symposium. 

Presented by Eryn Hatzithomas, Coordinator of Volunteers