Environmental justice advocacy within public horticulture institutions
Date
2013
Authors
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Publisher
University of Delaware
Abstract
Environmental justice advocacy from community based organizations
remains a necessary tool to protect nature and people. Public horticulture institutions
are equipped with scientific experts to support community capacity, aid justice, and
augment social relevancy. This thesis research examined the perceptions of
horticulture institutions and other cultural institutions as it relates community,
environmental issues, and environmental advocacy. Targeted surveys and case study
interviews were conducted with leadership in public horticulture and related fields to
gain insight.
The findings illuminated a gap between the levels of acknowledged
capacity by public horticulture institutions to address environmental issues and the
level of advocacy actions taken by those same institutions to educate, empower, or
influence, the larger community, policy or patrons. The case studies demonstrated
effective ways to engage a variety of audiences and impact environmental policy
consistent with the mission and vision of the organizations. Subsequently,
recommendations were made for public horticulture institutions to potentially engage
their patrons and communities in ways that protect people, protect nature and
strengthen relationships.
Description
Keywords
Public horticulture and environmental justice, Cultural institutions and environmental justice, Public gardens and environmental advocacy, Public gardens and social justice