As the American Public Garden Association’s Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) Committee works to develop strategy, resources, and tools for member gardens like yours, it has become apparent that there is no “one size fits all”...

Sarah P. Duke Gardens in Durham, North Carolina has put together a storm preparedness plan in anticipation of more frequent extreme storms. 

The increased hurricane activity predicted for future decades has serious implications for the important work of Montgomery Botanical Center (MBG). The recovery process at and any garden begins immediately following each hurricane, but preparedness is...

This Plan is intended to outline plans for preparing for emergencies and for immediate response and short-term recovery efforts in an emergency. In addition, it contains plans for the security of the Arboretum's living and non-living collections and...

Despite all the important work accomplished by nonprofit organizations over the last hundred years, significant growth or scaled impact has remained an elusive goal for most of them. Even the most effective mission-driven organizations face the...

The Workbook presents a step-by-step application of a risk management methodology to climate
change adaptation. By taking a risk-based approach to assessing vulnerability, users have a formal way to choose among adaptation actions. Selected...

Island systems are among the most vulnerable to climate change, which is predicted to induce shifts in temperature, rainfall and/or sea levels. Our aim was: (i) to map the relative vulnerability of islands to each of these threats from climate change...

Oak decline is a slow-acting disease complex that involves the interaction of biotic and abiotic factors such as climate, site quality and advancing tree age. Oak decline occurs more commonly among red oak species, but white oaks are susceptible as...

The Confluence Discovery Park 2030 Master Plan was developed through a three step process: 1) Cultivating understanding of the site’s history, past interventions and campus-wide plans, current site conditions, and stakeholder priorities; 2) Developing...

Growing North Minneapolis (GNM) is an urban agriculture and youth development summer program sited in the North Minneapolis, MN, neighborhood. The program is a university–community partnership between faculty at the University of Minnesota (UMN) and...

The Intercultural Development Inventory® (IDI®) is the premier, cross-cultural assessment of intercultural competence that is used by thousands of individuals and organizations to build intercultural competence to achieve international and domestic...

Communities are increasingly turning to “smart” water systems to address their often-competing stormwater challenges. This begs the question “how much more effective are smart stormwater systems?”. To address this question, we evaluated the smart...

The history of the Morris Arboretum can be told through its eldest trees. Every scar and abnormality present on these immense specimens inspire awe, enrich visitor experience, and provide a glimpse into the past of the gardens. They also act as living...

Trees planted in cities face many survival challenges, but when they thrive they make our cities healthier, less hot, and more beautiful. Historically, professionals have planted the same familiar trees over and over in cities since they are a safe bet...

The North Carolina Botanical Center has created a step-by-step guide on how to plan for a low-waste event. This is an example of a policy that ensures garden staff plan events with sustainability in mind. It contains a checklist and tips for garden...

This study, led by the Research Group at the Lawrence Hall of Science, was commissioned as part of a planning grant, funded by the Pisces Foundation, to support the design of a professional learning workshop series for outdoor science organizations....

Improving urban forests is one of the solutions to achieving several of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and making cities healthier and more livable for people. Priority should be given to protecting mature trees and promoting long‐...

It has become apparent that there is need for actionable steps that member institutions can take to become more welcoming for their visitors, staff, and volunteers. The “Creating a More Diverse, Equitable, and Inclusive Garden” workshop was born from...

This resource developed by the 2018-2019 Longwood Fellows cohort provides a framework that senior-level leaders can use to assess their organizations. It offers specific reasoning, definitions, and strategies—the why, what, and how—for topics that are...

The Missouri Botanic Garden (MBG) strategic plan is a great example for new and emerging gardens or gardens in the process of having to go through another strategic planning process and want to look at another botanical gardens goals, values, and...