Art sparks new dialogues and can simultaneously represent the past, present, and future, fostering connections and understanding across cultures. Gardens, parks, and public spaces continue to expand on traditional notions of art access and display,...

Despite the resonant theme of plant biodiversity inherent in the public garden sector, institutions grapple with a staggering lack of human biodiversity in their staffs, member base, donors, and audiences. To achieve inclusivity and maintain relevance...

Native plant, pollinator, and habitat issues are growing more popular among the visiting public each year, but does this translate more broadly into increased nursery sales? With ecological testing ongoing to determine differences in habitat value...

Many gardens collect basic information on their visitors as they walk through the gate, however traditional demographics only scratch the surface when trying to understand our audiences and impact. We can describe our visitors superficially, but how do...

Award-winning landscape designer, author, and thought leader Julie Moir Messervy shares her design studio’s visioning process that allows stakeholders to collaborate in creating special gardens of beauty and meaning for their public gardens. With an...

Citizen science offers the opportunity to actively involve a variety of audiences both on site and in communities with our collections, our research, and our conservation activities, increasing scientific and environmental literacy as well as awareness...

How do you invite Latinx visitors to your programs? Do these Spanish-speaking community members feel welcome in your space? We explore community partnerships and recommended approaches to maximize success. Speakers will share successes and challenges...

Want to know more about how your garden can get...A standard of excellence in plant collections management that leverages the best of federal and garden relationships? The direct collection and distribution of plants for research, conservation, and...

Studies show that only a small percentage of visitors who come to public gardens do so because of the specific plant collections. Most visitors come for educational programing, spiritual rejuvenation and quiet spaces, or even exercise. Art can be a...

Public gardens across America are responding to an influx of refugees/immigrants from many parts of the world with edible garden displays showcasing the increased diversity of our visitors. Community gardens and urban agriculture projects that are...

The staff and visitors of many public gardens are less diverse than the communities they serve. Events, policies, and Carl Linnaeus’s categorization of humans have created long-standing barriers. Eve Rickenbaker, PhD student at the University of...

Meaningful conversations leading to change happen in the gray areas of conversation. We must go beyond thinking in terms of black and white and speaking only with people who agree with us. In order to engage people in topics we think are important, we...

Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens just completed a new 30,000-square-foot visitor center. Our goal was to build to passive building standards with quality construction for under $275 sq/ft. A better process saved us millions and everyone left as friends...

Learn ways to identify, cultivate, and steward corporate and business partnerships. Win donor support by leveraging the things most important to them. Walk away with materials from two gardens sharing their sponsorship opportunities, corporate giving...

This presentation reveals how gardens efforts have helped surpass the goals of the Million Pollinator Garden Challenge! 

Highlights:

• Top Pollinator Planting Towns and Cities
• Garden Impact on Pollinator Diversity and
...

Philanthropy is a team effort! At the Atlanta Botanical Garden, the Membership, Development and Guest Experience teams work together to convert visitors to members, engage and upgrade them to higher membership levels, and cultivate key members for...

“Oh, you work in a botanic garden? How peaceful is that?” If you had a dollar for every time you fielded that question, you probably wouldn’t need to raise your membership prices next year, right? Join former San Diego Botanic Garden director of...

Learn how to create stories that evoke emotion and convey the magic of the garden experience to enhance your membership and inspire your donors. This highly interactive session will change the way you communicate about your garden and equip you with a...

Learn to mine your database for prospective donors and to create systems that increase staff efficiency and measure your Garden’s return on investment in your philanthropy programs. Using the successful work of the Atlanta Botanical Garden as an...

Learn the key parts of a gift agreement and gift acceptance policy in this session designed to equip you with the tools you need to review and establish these essential elements of a development program of any size. Participants will leave this session...