A Method for Evaluating the Use of Living Plant Collections in Public Horticultural Institutions
Date
1997
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
University of Delaware
Abstract
Most public horticulture professionals realize the importance of living plant
collections, but few have more than a general idea of how much these collections are
used. As funds become tighter, public horticulture professionals will constantly seek
ways to maximize the return from all aspects of their organization--including their
collections.
This research involved surveying staff at three public gardens and arboreta, and
determining how much each institution used its collections in its programs during fiscal
year 1992-1993. The three institutions were the Arnold Arboretum, Longwood Gardens
and the Morris Arboretum. The research method consisted of staff interviews and data
collection at each of the institutions to document how pertinent activities and programs
used the living collections. These uses were then summarized and compared with the
institution's mission statement.
Results will be valuable to public horticulture professionals who are interested in
maximizing the use of their institution's collections. The method of evaluation and the
case studies presented in this paper will provide these professionals with tools and
information to duplicate the research in their own institution. It will provide these
professionals with the means necessary to make good decisions regarding the collections
at their institutions.
Description
Keywords
Plant collections, Evaluation, Visitor services, Education - public gardens