This paper focused on providing evidence from the literature regarding the physiological health benefits associated with plants, thereby influencing the physiological, psychological, and cognitive well-being constructs affecting quality of life. These...

Crop wild relatives—the plant species closely related to agricultural crops—are valuable
genetic resources used by plant breeders to increase pest and disease resistance, stress
tolerance, nutritional profile, and other traits critical to...

Opening a new or renovated garden/garden space doesn't end with construction and plants! That's when the communications and marketing teams gear up to prepare the space for visitors and then work to get the word out. Join us to hear from gardens across...

Public Gardens are positioned to not only support the protection of plants but lessons about how they intersect with thriving communities as well. Indigenous communities and their associated values are critical components to developing solutions to...

As public gardens become increasingly focused on visitor experience, the story they tell about themselves—and the way gardens use this story to engage their stakeholders—is more important than ever. Participants will hear from five professionals at...

Millennials represent one quarter of the nation’s population, but many gardens struggle to create offerings that this demographic finds valuable, leading to few engagement opportunities for millennials and millennial-minded people in public gardens. By...

Green spaces (zoos, city parks, and urban farms) and cultural institutions are capturing our gap audiences—racial minorities, youth and young adults, and people of lower socioeconomic status. Come find out why it is important to engage and collaborate...

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...

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...

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...

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...

The nation’s forest land area remains stable, but the composition and distribution of those forests is changing. The data supporting this assertion, along with other information on the status, condition, and trends in the nation’s forest resources, are...

This comprehensive master interpretive plan has been prepared specifically for the Wilbur D. May
Arboretum located in Reno, Nevada. The Arboretum is owned and operated by Washoe County and continues to receive funding from the May Foundation as...

Of the myriad gifts plants provide to humanity, food is among the most visible, as everyone needs to eat, every single day. Due to their universal importance, food and agricultural plants would appear to represent ideal entryways to address plant...

Hear from three experts exploring research, strategies, and benefits of connecting people to nature: Louise Chawla, University of Colorado; Lauren Watkins, Impact by Design; and Sheila Williams-Ridge, University of Minnesota. 

NAAEE featured...

Do experiences with nature – from wilderness backpacking to plants in a preschool, to a wetland lesson on frogs—promote learning? Until recently, claims outstripped evidence on this question. But the field has matured, not only substantiating...

Indigenous communities rely extensively on plants for food, shelter, and medicine. It is still unknown, however, to what degree their survival is jeopardized by the loss of either plant species or
knowledge about their services. To fill this gap...