Longwood Gardens

Public Gardens Sustainability Index Proven Practice Workbook

Version 1.0

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

Table of Contents Introduction ...... 3 Important Definitions...... 3 ...... 4 How to use this Workbook ...... 4 Chapter 1 Water Consumption ...... 5 Chapter 2 Water Quality ...... 10 Chapter 3 Wastewater Reduction...... 14 Chapter 4 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) ...... 19 Chapter 5 Non-Renewable Energy ...... 23 Chapter 6 Solid Waste ...... 28 Chapter 7 Plant Conservation ...... 33 Chapter 8 Toxic/Hazardous Waste ...... 40 Chapter 9 Training ...... 45 Chapter 10 External Stakeholders ...... 51 Chapter 11 Community Education ...... 54 Chapter 12 Sustainable Community ...... 58 Chapter 13 Well-being at garden ...... 61 Chapter 14 Finance & Business ...... 66 Chapter 15 Strategic Planning & Governance ...... 71 Conclusion ...... 80 ANNEX A ...... 81 Gap Assessment ...... 81

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

Introduction Longwood Gardens and a Peer Advisory Group, consisting of several North American public gardens, collaborated with experts and stakeholders to develop a Sustainability Index and accompanying Proven Practice Workbook. While the overall goal of the Index is to create measures of sustainable practices within public gardens across North America, the goal of the Workbook is to communicate information on how to successfully implement these sustainability measures regardless of the gardens current level of sustainability performance or resources. It is intended for this initiative to establish innovative environmental stewardship practices, drive innovation and continual improvement in the sustainability performance of the public garden sector.

Although this Workbook was created as a stand-alone resource, it is suggested that its readers also examine the Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens. It is within this Index that you will find information on sustainability within public gardens, the purpose and principles for the Index, the scope of the Index, and background information on the development of selected Attributes.

Important Definitions Attribute: A characteristic that has a direct influence on environmental performance.

Proven Practice: The term “Proven Practice” has been chosen to highlight practices that have been successful in the garden presented. The benefit of a specific practice is dependent on the size, resources, and current of implementation of sustainability in the garden.

Criteria: The environmental requirements that the product shall meet in order to be awarded an environmental label. [ISO 14024]

Sustainability: Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. [World Commission on the Environment and Development]

Organizations in a range of sectors - retail, green building, and agriculture to name a few – are working to understand what sustainability means for their operations and looking at ways to improve their products and services. The term “sustainability” is widely used and variably defined, but current convention generally defines sustainable business practices as having a “triple bottom line” to measure success based on three pillars:

• people (social performance); • planet (environmental performance); and, • financial viability (economic performance).

The illustration below shows a model approach for a sustainable enterprise built on these three pillars, joined by an organizational governance system as the means to achieve more sustainable performance. Governance is a critical part of sustainability since it defines how sustainability is executed and managed across the organization. It is sometimes viewed as the “glue” that binds the three pillars: environment, social and economic performance.

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

Green vs. Sustainable

“Green” refers only to the environmental performance of a product or organization, whereas “sustainable” refers to three components – environmental, social, and economic performance.

Figure 1: Sustainability for organizations and business

How to use this Workbook This Workbook was developed to be used by management, employees, and volunteers within large or small gardens with varying degrees of resources and abilities to implement change. Every chapter within this Workbook is connected to one of the 15 attributes listed within the Sustainability Index. Inside each chapter, you will find a page dedicated to each of the Attributes, each Attributes’ criteria, case studies, a variety of possible initiatives, and tools to help the garden achieve success. While most examples focus on North American Public Gardens, some examples highlight relevant global initiatives that could successfully be implemented at a garden regardless of its location. At the end of each chapter, along with a summary, there is a space to record the readers’ notes on the garden’s progress related to the varying Attributes and criteria. As this Workbook is meant to be used according to individual requirements, each chapter or even page can be read independently.

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

Chapter 1 Water Consumption

Attribute 1 Water consumption reduction/management for all public garden activities and events

Why is Attribute 1 important? What to expect from this chapter:

• When developing the Sustainability Index, 1. Tools to measure annual water Water Consumption was identified as a consumption significant impact by all involved public 2. An example of a garden with a gardens. successful water management plan • The diverse nature of water consumption within public gardens provides various opportunities for water reduction strategies.

Water fountain at Longwood Gardens

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

Water Consumption

Measuring Tips: Criteria 1 .1 • Measure water consumption The garden measures its annual consumption by reading the water meter or by looking at of water across all its activities and events, the garden’s water bills • A centralized data management plan using guidance (where applicable) from any will ensure records are kept and of the following: LEED EBOM, US DOI, available for future comparison WBCSD, or equivalent Case Study: Sonae Sierra’s Plaza Mayor Shopping Centre, Spain Why is Criteria 1 important? Plaza Mayor Shopping Centre is a beautifully • Measuring annual water consumption is a landscaped outdoor complex. In 2010, Sonae necessary step in understanding and Sierra applied the WBCSD Global Water Tool which revealed that there was a high risk for effectively managing water use and allowing Plaza Mayor to be affected by water scarcity. for attainable targets to be set • Water tools can identify which area of the Grassed areas have been replaced with native garden should receive attention plants and a pipeline on the roof collects condensation from the air conditioners. These changes have reduced water consumption and have resulted in over a 25% improvement.

LEED EBOM -2009 WEc1 Water Performance Toolbox WBCSD’s Global Water Tool allows organizations to identify and assess their water use Home page: http://www.wbcsd.org Water tool: http://www.wbcsd.org/work- program/sector-projects/water/global-water- tool.aspx

USBR’s Water Measurement Manual provides water measurement practices for better water management Home page: http://www.usbr.gov/ Water Measurement Manual: http://www.usbr.gov/pmts/hydraulics_lab/pubs/wm m/

USGBC’s LEED® provides guidance on Water Performance Measurement and Water Efficient Landscaping Home page: http://www.usgbc.org/ Information on LEED’s water tools: http://www.leeduser.com/credit/EBOM-2009/WEc1 http://www.leeduser.com/credit/EBOM -2009/WEc3

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

Water Consumption

Criteria 1.2 Do you work at a large garden? Larger gardens may have the resources needed to The garden has implemented a water install, develop, and implement bigger and more management plan to reduce expensive initiatives consumption of municipally supplied • Collect and treat rainwater, greywater, and water across all its activities and wastewater to be used in irrigation • Install automated watering systems that events reduce the amount of wasted water flow

Why is Criteria 1.2 important? Do you work at a small garden? A small garden can have a large water footprint. Check out the following ways that you can easily • Many aspects of a public garden require reduce water consumption: heavy water use (horticulture, • Water sparingly infrastructure, fountains, etc.) • Water early in the morning or in the evening • Having a water management plan allows a so that water is able to reach the plants’ roots garden to identify opportunities for • Use plants that are resistant to drought reduction and effectively manage water • Limit the use of lawn as ground cover consumption Water Reduction Initiatives University of Delaware Reduced Water Consumpt ion = Cost Savings • The University of Delaware sees the sensitive consideration of water use as one of their most influential points for sustainability • The no-lawn garden that surrounds the South Greenhouse contains a combination of native and non-native plants which were selected to fit with existing soil moisture conditions. • When watering the campus’s garden’s is necessary, a mixture of treated rainwater, grey water, and wastewater is used Paignton Zoo and Botanical Gardens • Implemented an upright gardening system, Verticrop, to grow an extremely condensed University of Delaware’s no-lawn garden crop that uses as little as 5% of the water surrounds their South Greenhouse usually necessary http://www.verticrop.com/ Longwood Gardens The following information from the University of • uses compostable plates to reduce water Delaware provides the benefits of turf reduction and consumption by eliminating the need to how to achieve a no-lawn garden: http://ag.udel.edu/udbg/sl/vegetation/Turf_Grass_Ma wash dishes dness.pdf

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

Water Consumption

Criteria 1. 3 The garden has a target to reduce its overall water consumption and monitors progress against this target on an annual basis

Why is Criteria 1.3 important? • Setting a target allows the garden to determine the effectiveness of their water management plan

• Additional benefits may arise from comparing targets between gardens Objective vs. Target • Achieving or exceeding a targeted goal is Objective : an overall goal that the garden something to brag about. Make sure to wants to achieve (I.e. reduce water talk to employees, visitors, and consumption) stakeholders about what you’ve achieved! Target : a specific goal that the garden wants ”Weather data is invaluable for determining to achieve (i.e. reduce water consumption irrigation requirements, pest life cycles, and disease by 20% by 2013) likelihood and development. Applewood recently acquired a state of the art weather station which is a part of the larger Enviroweather network of weather stations across Michigan. Data can be accessed by anyone via the internet.” Mike Belco, Applewood Estate

Toolbox: Setting a target • This depends on the garden’s current water consumption levels • Once you’ve measured consumption, determine what new initiatives you can implement to reduce water The City of Guelph , Ontario has a target to reduce • water consumption as follows: Determine the reductions from each of the 10% (5,300 m3/day) water use reduction by 2010 ; initiatives being implemented 15% (7,950 m3/day) water use reduction by 2017 , • Establish targets for consecutive years –these 20% (10,600 m3/day) water use reduction by 2025 . may change as you figure out your progress • Important: Water Reduction should be For more information: achievable http://guelph.ca/living.cfm?subCatID=2007&smocid=2581

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

Water Consumption

Notes Summary of Chapter 1 Do we measure our water consumption?

What can we do to improve?

measure make a plan set target consumption

Resources:

If you want to reduce water consumption, you first need to measure it. Follow the steps outlined within this chapter to ensure that you are taking account of all aspects of water consumption.

Look to the examples for ideas and tailor them to meet your own garden’s needs.

LEED EBOM-2009 WEc3 Water Efficient Landscaping

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

Chapter 2 Water Quality

Attribute 2 Water quality management for all water discharged from all public garden buildings/facilities and horticultural activities

Why is Attribute 2 important?

• Visitors, vehicles, and fertilizers can reduce the quality of water that is being discharged from public gardens • It is necessary to confirm that discharged water meets or goes above local and municipal regulatory requirements

What to expect from this chapter:

1. Information on how to make sure you are compliant with regulations 2. Examples of effective water

management plans 3. A deeper understanding on why water Missouri Botanical Garden’s parking lot incorporates planted quality is important and what you can do islands to manage storm water to improve it

The quality of water is determined by its chemical, physical, and biological content

“The water that public gardens use for horticultural purposes eventually finds its way into natural waterways. That water carries any excess nutrients (such as fertilizers) or chemical additives (such as pesticides) into places they do not belong. Excess nutrients used by agriculture are to blame for the creation of over 200 oceanic “dead zones” around the world, where all oxygen has been consumed and marine life dies. It is important to be aware of what happens to all materials we use on site at public gardens.” Rain gardens retain and filter water, improving water quality Dr. David A. Galbraith, and reducing impact on local sewer systems Royal Botanical Gardens

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

Water Quality

Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Gardens Criteria 2. 1 Among other initiatives, the Cincinnati Zoo & The garden’s water management Botanical Gardens implements various plan seeks to improve quality of programs that improve the quality of their water discharged discharged water. The Zoo & Garden has installed the following:

Why is Criteria 2.1 important? • Pervious pavement allows storm water to easily pass through the solid surface and • Incorporating water quality into your enter the natural water system. In water management plan will ensure that it addition to reducing the amount of water is considered and more effectively entering sewage systems, the pavement filters and collects pollutants managed Rain barrel at • Cincinnati Zoo Green roofs are similar to pervious Rain garden at Cincinnati Zoo pavement in the way that they filter and collect storm water. While traditional roofs allow all storm water to flow into congested sewer systems, green roofs can retain up to 75% of rainwater • Rain gardens allow plants to retain and

filter water. They can easily be achieved by planting water thirsty plants in areas of high rainwater flow.

LEED® provides guidance on designing and implementing a stormwater management plan Wellhead Protection http://www.leeduser.com/credit/NC-v2.2/SSc6.2 • A wellhead is the part of the well that stands above ground • A wellhead protection area is the area Backflow Prevention around the wellhead where activities can Backflow contamination occurs when water flows affect the quality of the well water backwards in a water distribution system (i.e. a hose If your garden relies on well water, it is that is in a container of soap or chemical could draw important to protect the quality of the area contaminants into the public water system) around the wellhead.

To prevent backflow, devices can be installed on Wellhead Protection Program: connecting pipes. http://www.epa.gov/region1/eco/drinkwater/pc_wellhe ad_protection.html For more information: Source Water Assessment Program: http://cfpub.epa.gov/safewater/watersecurity/guide/prod http://www.epa.gov/region1/eco/drinkwater/pc_source uctguide.cfm?page=backflowpreventiondevices water_assessment.html

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

Water Quality

Criteria 2. 2 The garden measures the quality of water discharged from all its buildings/facilities (incl. greenhouses, exterior gardens, etc.) and horticultural activities, to ensure that it moves beyond compliance levels stipulated within local/ municipal regulatory requirements, and follows water quality recommendations made by government agencies to improve regional water quality What should you expect your Why is Criteria 2.2 important? local/municipal regulation to provide? • Measurements help to identify key areas for o Information on which parameters must be improvement that can be addressed within considered. These can include: pH, presence the water management plan of waste chemicals, sewage, fuel, hazardous waste, nuclear waste, pesticides, PCBs, E. coli, paint, and many more o Requirements on frequency and complexity of testing required o A list of consequences (tickets, fees, etc.)

Note: regulations can be difficult to read so make sure there is someone at the garden you can trust to confirm you are meeting requirements

Water Quality Testing at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington, Ontario US EPA National Recommended Water Quality Criteria Royal Botanical Gardens, in Burlington Ontario has • A compilation of national recommended been conducting water quality testing on a regular water quality criteria basis since 1977. • Lists approximately 150 pollutants • Criteria are taken from The Clean Water Act TIP (CWA) and are used as guidance for state Establish a relationship and open communication with your regulator in order to earn access to information specific water quality standards and updates on regulatory information For more information: http://water.epa.gov/scitech/swguidance/standards/criter ia/current/index.cfm

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

Water Quality

Chapter 2 Summary Notes What does our water management plan include? •test water quality measure water •meet or exceed quality compliance of local regulations

Do we test our discharged water? consider water •include water quality within quality within your water managment plan

your water •use the examples within this management chapter to get ideas to use in Are the results accessible? plan your own garden

Initiatives to improve water quality include.. o Pervious pavement o Green roofs Filter water prior to o Rain gardens discharge o Reduce chemical usage o Testing water discharge to determine necessary improvements o Implement filtration systems for all discharging water o Backflow prevention o Wellhead protection

What garden activities impact water quality?

• Horticultural practices • Cleaning chemicals • Cooling tower discharge • Parking lot run-off • And more. Review all areas of the garden LEED NC-v2.2 SSc6.2 Storm Water Design – to obtain an accurate inventory of Quality Control activities that will affect water quality.

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

Chapter 3 Wastewater Reduction

Attribute 3 Wastewater reduction/management from all public garden buildings/facilities and horticultural activities

Why is Attribute 3 important? The WBCSD Water Tool (see criteria 3.1) • Reducing wastewater encourages the garden to more efficiently use their water supply • Limiting wastewater discharge concurrently reduces the impacts of the public garden on its surrounding

environment (incl. burden on municipal Phipps Conservatory Lagoon System (see criteria 3.2) wastewater treatment, downstream energy consumption, and GHG emissions) as well as financial cost to the garden (i.e. water bills) as well as to its community (i.e., municipal taxes, levies.)

What to expect from this chapter:

1. Tools needed to measure waste water

2. Examples of gardens that have implemented a water management

plan to reduce discharge Melbourne’s Wastewater Reduction plan (see criteria 3.3) 3. Benefits of setting targets for wastewater reduction 4. Tips and facts on wastewater reduction and management

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

Wastewater Reduction

Criteria 3.1 The garden measures its annual discharge Toolbox of wastewater from all its WBCSD’s Global Water Tool buildings/facilities (incl. greenhouses, exterior gardens, etc.) and horticultural • In addition to measuring water consumption, activities, using the US Department of this tool allows organization to identify and Interior (DOI) Water Measurement assess their wastewater impacts Manual, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development's Global Water http://www.wbcsd.org/work-program/sector- Tool, or equivalent projects/water/global-water-tool.aspx GEMI Local Water Tool Why is Criteria 3.1 important? • This tool can be used in conjunction with the • Like many of the garden’s impacts, it is WBCSD Global Water Tool to further evaluate difficult to determine and manage the the high priority water discharge locations effects of wastewater if you are unaware of the amount that is being generated http://www.ipieca.org/topic/water/local-water- tool • It is only once you’ve measured your water discharge that you can begin to set targets for reduction

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

Wastewater Reduction

Criteria 3. 2 The garden has a water management plan to reduce the discharge of wastewater (including storm water) consumption across Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Gardens all its activities and events • Phipps Center for Sustainable Landscape’s Why is Criteria 3.2 important? lagoon system forces water to flow through a seven step filtration process. This processes water similarly to naturally • Having a water management plan allows occurring systems. the garden to identify the areas of • In addition to the lagoon system, a storm reduction that will be most beneficial in water retention pond temporarily holds the limiting discharge water and allows natural vegetation to • Make this plan available to employees, remove many pollutants stakeholders, and visitors so that they are aware of the various ways that your

garden is working to reduce discharge of wastewater

Low flow toilets Conventional toilets can waste up to 24 liters of water with every use

In addition to preventing wastewater discharge, the garden can save money by reducing Phipps Lagoon System water use

Shangri-La Botanical Garden What can a large garden do? Shangri-La Botanical Gardens has • Install a filtration system that holds water implemented the following wastewater until it is able to be used again management initiatives: • Within washrooms : waterless urinals, What can a small garden do? ultra-low flow toilets, low flow sinks • Plant a rain garden • Rainwater harvesting : rainwater is • Install only low flow appliances collected and used in toilets and within • Where possible, limit irrigation the irrigation system

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

Wastewater Reduction

Criteria 3. 3 Example The garden has a target to reduce The City of Melbourne Although not a garden, the City of Melbourne its overall wastewater discharge can be used as an example of how targeting and monitors progress against this wastewater reduction is important target on an annual basis • Based on benchmarks that were calculated in 1999, the City of Melbourne had initially targeted a reduction of 20% of wastewater Why is Criteria 3.3 important? by 2020. However, after monitoring progress, targets have been revised and are • Once wastewater discharge has been now at 30% by 2020. measured, reduction targets can be set. • Although these targets were set for a large • This target will provide the garden with municipality, similar targets can be set by something to strive towards and will allow even the smallest garden employees and community members to understand the level of dedication that the garden has to reducing its impacts.

CDP Water Disclosure

The Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) works Allergan with businesses to prevent climate change Allergan, a specialty health care company, has and protect natural resources. reported to CDP’s Water Disclosure Project since 2009. The results of the Water Tool CDP’s Water Disclosure Project works to measurements allowed Allergan to target promote sustainable water management. specific areas for water reduction and successfully reduce water consumption in one Visit the following link for information on CDP of its factories by 50%. Cost savings from this and how companies associated with the drastic reduction equal $145, 000 a year. Water Disclosure program report on and With the help of CDP Water Disclosures, manage their water use and discharge Allergan has set a realistic by ambitious target to reduce companywide water consumption by https://www.cdproject.net/en- US/Programmes/Pages/cdp-water-disclosure.aspx 50% https://www.cdproject.net/en-US/WhatWeDo/Pages/Case- Study-Allergan.aspx

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

Wastewater Reduction

Summary of Chapter 3 Notes Have we been measuring our annual discharge?

• measure annual measure wastewater discharge What can we do to reduce wastewater discharge? • creat a plan to reduce implement wastewater discharge plan

•set target for wastewater set targets discharge reduction

What might be a reasonable target for our garden?

Montreal’s Botanical Garden

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

Chapter 4 Greenhouse Gas (GHG)

Attribute 4 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions reduction/management from all public garden activities

Why is Attribute 4 important? What to expect from Chapter 4:

• An increase in GHG emissions has been linked 1. Tools to calculate your GHG emissions to changes in climate that will ultimately affect 2. Examples of gardens that have set GHG the garden reduction targets • Damaging consequences (e.g. risks to infrastructure, plant health, biodiversity, etc.) of climate change may lead to: changes in precipitation, increase in significant weather events (i.e., drought or flooding, hurricanes/tornadoes, severe winter storms), temperature extremes, seasonal shifts, plant zone shifts, as well as a greater disposition to pests and plant diseases

Both flooding and drought, as shown in these images, have the potential to be extremely damaging to public gardens

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

Greenhouse Gas (GHG)

Criteria 4. 1 GHG Protocol Corporate Accounting The garden annually calculates its Scope and Reporting Standard 1 and 2 GHG Emissions in accordance with WRI/WBCSD Protocol, or • Provides detailed guidance on how to equivalent calculate Scope 1 and 2 GHG

http://www.ghgprotocol.org/standards/ Why is Criteria 4.1 important? corporate-standard

• The garden has most control over its Scope 1 GHG Equivalency Calculator and Scope 2 emissions These GHG emissions result most directly from garden operations, • United States Environmental Protection activities and events Agency’s Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator is a valuable tool for US EPA eGRID communicating GHG emissions in The Emissions & Generation Resource Integrated relatable terms with relevant visuals Database (eGRID) supplies widespread data on environmental characteristics of electric power http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy- generation across the United States. resources/calculator.html For more information on eGRID http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy- TIP resources/egrid/index.html While Scope 3 emissions are not a requirement of this version of the index, Public Gardens should begin to The difference between Scopes include Scope 3 GHG emissions in their accounting and carbon management strategies Scope 1 Emissions • direct GHG emissions coming from

sources that are owned or controlled by reporting entity

Scope 2 Emissions • indirect GHG emissions from consumption of purchased electricity, heat, or steam

Scope 3 Emissions • all indirect emissions (not included in Scope 2) that occur in value chain of reporting company (both upstream and downstream)

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

Greenhouse Gas (GHG)

Criteria 4.2 Where to start The garden has implemented a program What should you include in your program to to reduce its Scope 1 & 2 GHG emissions reduce Scope 1 & 2 GHG emissions?

Scope 1 Why is Criteria 4.2 important? • Once you have determined the emissions from maintenance vehicles and • Once the garden’s GHG emissions have been transportation brainstorm ways in which calculated (using info from Criteria 1.1), you can you can eliminate unnecessary use begin to plan which modifications to the • Use alternative fuels as a means to manage garden’s activity would most effectively lower emissions emissions • Implementing a program will provide all Scope 2 • employees with an understanding of what needs Encourage guests and employees to turn to be done to lower emissions lights and computers off when they are not being used • If you are planning on purchasing new appliances, look for items that are more efficient and use less energy

“Lawns provide a surface for play, gathering and circulation. They can be a green carpet that shows off other landscape plants. So, use lawns purposefully rather than as the “default vegetation.” Too much turf results in wasted energy spent mowing, reduced water Solar garden lights are an inexpensive and infiltration and much less diversity to support wildlife.” att ractive addition to a public garden Susan Barton, PhD , University of Delaware

TIP Trying to get employees to record/lower their vehicle use • Everyone loves a competition. Award employees that provide a complete record of their vehicle use • Prizes can also be awarded to employees who are able to develop alternatives to the traditional forms of maintenance that release emissions

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

Greenhouse Gas (GHG)

Criteria 4.3 The garden has a target to reduce its overall GHG Scope 1 & 2 Smithsonian Institution and emissions and monitors progress Smithsonian Gardens against this target on an annual • Has established a target of a 32% reduction basis in scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2020

The New York Botanical Garden Why is Criteria 4.3 important? • Has calculated its greenhouse gas emissions with the help of Clean Air – Cool Planet and • Setting specific targets will help you to the University of New Hampshire achieve your objectives (http://www.cleanair-coolplanet.org/) • Revising maintenance and horticultural practices to meet emission targets TIP Keep an Inventory Management Plan that details information that will be required for future calculations (emissions factors, fuel usage, etc.)

Chapter 4 Summary Notes Do we calculate our emissions?

•Using a reputable tool, calculate calcutate the garden's GHG emissions GHG

•program aims to lower GHG while program to maintaining garden activity reduce GHG Do we have a target set?

•set achievable but ambitous target GHG targets reduction What might a realistic target be for our garden?

“Our Institution-wide sustainability projects— emission-reducing biofuel pumps, solar panels, geothermal wells and rainwater reuse, to name a few—will help the environment while allowing scarce dollars to be better used to support core activities.” G. Wayne Clough, Smithsonian Institution

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

Chapter 5 Non-Renewable Energy

Attribute 5 Non-renewable energy consumption/reduction for all public garden facilities, activities, and events

Why is Attribute 5 important? What to expect from Chapter 5?

• Non-renewable energy is closely tied to GHG, 1. Examples of gardens that measure their climate change, resource depletion, impacts to annual energy use 2. Examples of initiatives that can be air, water, biodiversity, etc. implemented to help lower the use on • The long term financial cost to use non- non-renewable energy renewable sources is considerably higher than 3. Links to more information regarding longer term cost savings around renewable renewable energy energy (e.g. solar and wind)

• While this attribute is related to Attribute 4, it looks at use of non-renewable energy broadly and not just GHGs

“… Saving energy is a great place to start and even better is to invest in renewable energy. Start with whatever you can and ramp it up as much as you can each year. You'll feel better and so will the planet.” Richard Piacentini, Phipps Conservatory

Phipps Conservatory‘s Solar Panels cover the top of their Special Events Hall

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

Non-Renewable Energy

Criteria 5. 1 The garden measures its annual consumption of non-renewable energy from all its facilities (incl. greenhouses, exterior gardens, etc.), activities, and events

Why is Criteria 5.1 important?

• It is necessary to measure the annual Chicago Botanic Garden’s green roof consumption of non-renewable energy so Chicago Botanic Gardens that the garden can make more strategic decisions • The Plant Science Center, which is Gold • Once the garden has completed a baseline LEED certified, has installed a green roof study, it can compare against that baseline to lower the cooling requirements of the on an annual basis building (which in turn reduces the consumption of non-renewable energy) • Roof also captures and holds storm-water runoff that is then used for watering landscape • The rooftop garden also has a built-in monitoring system that allows the garden to measure indoor air temperature, outdoor air temperature, soil temperature at various depths in the roof installation, Green Mountain College soil heat flux, soil radiation, precipitation, Green Mountain College uses biomass from humidity, and wind above the mezzanine local sources to heat its 40 acres of campus roof buildings For more info : http://sustainability.greenmtn.edu/operations/buildings_e Energy Bills nergy/biomass_facility.aspx By keeping track of your monthly energy bill, you will be able to clearly identify the Energy Savings = Cost Savings amount of energy the garden is using and the cost associated with the use Benchmark : An evaluation of current performance based on a comparison against peers Baseline : An initial measurement that serves as a point of reference for future comparison

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

Non-renewable Energy

Identify Low Hanging Fruit Criteria 5. 2 Try addressing energy efficiency – a relatively The garden has implemented a plan easy way to reduce energy consumption – to reduce its consumption of non- before implementing large projects (i.e. a renewable energy from all its lighting upgrade is easier than a new HVAC system) facilities (incl. greenhouses, exterior gardens, etc.), activities, Longwood Gardens and events • As a member of Green Restaurants, Why is Criteria 5.2 important? Longwood Gardens is very focused on efficiently using energy within their • Without a plan, nothing will get done! restaurant Make sure to create a plan for reducing non-renewable energy so that specific Green Restaurants is a program that addresses waste reduction and energy consumption. For facilities, activities, and events can be more information, see: targeted.

http://www.dinegreen.com Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Garden

• Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Gardens has implemented a variety of design features and renewable energy systems that reduce energy needs by 50% compared to traditionally designed buildings

• Design features – passive solar design, rooftop energy recovery unit, Building Management System, reduction of capacity requirements for HVAC systems and associated Phipps geothermal heating and cooling system infrastructure, natural ventilation, daylighting, utilizes geothermal boreholes drilled 500 ft green roof deep. As the ground is at a constant temperature of approximately 57° F, liquid sent • Renewable energy – geothermal heating and into the pipes is stabilized. This system is cooling, solar photovoltaics, wind turbines expected to contribute 70% of heating and http://phipps.conservatory.org/project-green- cooling requirements. heart/green-heart-at-phipps/center-for-sustainable- landscapes.aspx For more information: http://phippscsl.org

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

Non-renewable Energy

Criteria 5.3 The garden has a target to reduce its overall consumption of non- TIP renewable energy and monitors Visit APGA’s professional section on Green Buildings and Landscapes to learn how to progress against this target on an reduce non-renewable energy consumption annual basis http://www.publicgardens.org/content/green-buildings-and- landscapes Why is Criteria 5.3 important? Phipps Conservatory • Like your target to reduce water Phipps conservatory has a target set to reduce consumption, setting a target to reduce energy consumption by at least 50 %. They your non-renewable energy consumption have installed and implemented the following will give the garden a goal to work to help achieve this target:

“Results come easier, and in a measureable, • Reduce capacity requirements for HVAC definitive fashion, when guided by clear goals and systems and associated infrastructure deadlines. The inertia of transitioning away from • geothermal heating and cooling system fossil fuels is so immense, that short-term, • buildings with passive solar design achievable goals are necessary to provide • solar photovoltaics rooftop energy recover incremental celebrations of progress” Joel system Perkovich, Phipps Conservatory • wind turbine

Energy Star’s Target Finder

Energy Star’s Target Finder is a free online resource that greatly assists in setting an energy reduction target.

Additionally, they provide suggestions on how to meet the target that you set Half of the insulated, double-paned glass roof at the See this website for more information: Phipps Tropical Forest Conservatory can open to https://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=new eliminate the “greenhouse effect” caused by heat _bldg_design.bus_target_finder being trapped in the building

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

Non-renewable Energy

Notes Chapter 5 Summary How much do we currently spend on non-renewable energy?

•measure annual

measure consumption of non- renewable energy energy

•create plan that oulines implement what activities can change plan to to reduce energy Where can we reduce our energy consumption? reduce energy consumption

set target to •set a target to reduce non-renewable emergy reduce consumption consumption •monitor progress

Large Scale Initiatives:

• solar energy • solar hot water collectors • geothermal heating and cooling • wind turbines • switching to cleaner non-renewable energy sources (fuel oil to natural gas)

Small Scale Initiatives:

• passive solar design • natural ventilation • day lighting • timers on lights and appliances • effectively optimizing use of off-peak energy consumption periods • energy audits • educating employees and guests on energy reduction (reducing idling, turning off lights) • select appliances with lower energy requirements

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

Chapter 6 Solid Waste

Attribute 6 Solid waste reduction/management for all public garden facilities, activities, and events

Why is Attribute 6 important? What to expect from this chapter:

• While public gardens may generate 1. Information on measuring annual significant quantities of solid waste from waste generation activities, operations and events, much of 2. Examples of gardens with waste the waste may be diverted from landfill via reduction and recycling plans avoidance, re-use, recycling and 3. Examples of effective solid waste composting. reduction targets • Therefore, with a solid waste management

plan, gardens can easily be successful in reducing the impact of solid waste

“Composting … reduces pollution as well as reducing the city's financial burden in waste removal.” Rebecca Wolf, Queens Botanical Garden

Criteria 6.2 NYC’s Dept. of Sanitation’s Composting Program

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

Solid Waste

Criteria 6. 1 The garden measures its annual How to complete a waste audit 1. Choose one week where activity is average generation/disposal of solid waste 2. Save waste/recycling/compost each day from all its facilities (incl. and weigh bags separately greenhouses, exterior gardens, 3. Record the weight of each bag and the etc.), activities, and events total weight of each waste stream per day 4. Choose one day during the week to sort

Sorting Why is Criteria 6.1 important? • Select one average sized bag from each waste stream • Until you understand the amount of waste • Sort and weigh the waste within that that your garden produces, it will be bag into the various categories to difficult to appreciate the importance of determine the weight of waste that reduction was properly/improperly disposed of • Measuring waste (completing a waste • With these weights, you can determine audit) provides details on which activities the % of waste that is correctly captured are of high concern and what events need 5. If you are confident that the weight of to be closely scrutinized sorted material accurately portrays regular activity, the percentages found can be applied to the waste that was collected throughout the week

Garden waste can be organic (as seen here) and it can come from horticultural activities, garden events, and everyday activities

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

Solid Waste

Criteria 6. 2 Examples The garden has implemented a solid waste reduction plan and/or recycling Byland Nursery program to reduce solid waste After realizing the costs associated with disposed from all its facilities (incl. disposing compostable waste (transportation greenhouses, exterior gardens, etc.), and dumping fees), Byland Nursery decided to activities, and events create their own on-site composting program • The nursery invested in equipment necessary to break, filter, heat, and Why is Criteria 6.2 important? pasteurize the organic matter • This process led to an improved quality in • Once you have determined the areas of soil, cost savings, and reduced greenhouse concern, a waste reduction plan and/or a gasses (reduction in transportation) recycling program will focus attention to particular high generation waste streams Queens Botanical Garden • A plan will help to educate employees and guests and guarantee that efforts are Queens Botanical Garden is an active participant in NYC’s Department of focused in the most effective areas Sanitation’s Compost Project • This program encourages inner-city composting and provides training and materials to visitors interested in composting their own waste

Longwood Gardens

Longwood Gardens has developed a recycling task force to monitor and manage their recycling systems • Longwood recycles: paper & cardboard, Queen’s Botanical Garden hosts several hands-on aluminum, batteries, florescent bulbs, composting workshops that teach locals how to implement food waste, glass, horticultural waste, composting in their own communities and yards paint, computers, plastics, scrap metal, tires, waste oil Compost as a Resource

• Recycle leaf clippings by using them as mulch (rather than hardwood bark mulch) • Use grass clippings on vegetable gardens or allow grass clippings to fall into the lawn • Use leaf mulch or yard waste mulch instead of bark mulch

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

Solid Waste

Criteria 6. 3 The garden has a target to reduce its overall disposal of solid waste and monitors progress against this target on an annual basis

Why is Criteria 6.3 important?

• Setting a target provides purpose for the waste management plan and gives everyone involved a focused goal • Making the goal public communicates how Greater Vancouver Regional District committed the garden is to sustainability • Waste Management Plan outlines efforts taken to reduce overall disposal of solid waste “Smithsonian Gardens (SG) is committed to • Objectives and targets are clearly outlined sustainable operations and has set the target to only within the plan host zero-waste events. Working in collaboration with NMAI, SG composts all food waste generated • Objectives include: minimize waste through special events, trainings, festivals and staff generation and maximize reuse, recycling, parties/picnics. And instead of using compostable and material recovery materials during these events, SG uses Preserve • Specific targets are focused at household Ware recycled plastic products that can be washed reduction – 90% reduction of waste and reused up to 1,000 times”. generated by 2020 (based on 2010 figures) Sarah Hedean, Smithsonian Gardens Sustainability Victoria Very similarly to the Vancouver Region’s plan, Victoria’s waste reduction plan includes specific objectives and targets for decreasing waste by 2014 (all targets are based on 2010 benchmarking)

• In addition to the four year target, expectations for each year are outlined • Short range goals are helpful for visualizing expectations and giving context to the overall target

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

Solid Waste

Chapter 6 Summary Notes Do we have a good understanding of the garden’s waste production?

measure •complete an annual waste audit waste Where are the various waste streams within our garden?

plan to •include all facilities, activities, and events reduce in your waste waste reduction plan

set target •set a specific target What is a reasonable target for waste reduction in for waste reduction to reduce the garden? that the garden can waste work to achieve

Place recycling containers next to all garbage bins to encourage guests to take part in waste reduction

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

Chapter 7 Plant Conservation

Attribute 7 Conservation of plants, plant communities, associated habitats and ecosystems throughout public garden programs

Why is Attribute 7 important? What to expect:

• Today, Earth’s plant biodiversity is rapidly 1. Plant conservation initiatives being lost due to habitat loss, spread of 2. Aggressive/non-native/invasive plant invasive species, over-exploitation of species plants, chemical alteration of the 3. Information on native flora

environment, and climate change. 4. How to regularly train staff on implementing conservation Gardens can lead efforts called for in the 5. Importance of regularly assessing Global Strategy for Plant Conservation. and improving conservation efforts

The Nodding Trillium ( Trillium cernuum ) is just one of the 49 rare native species Mt. Cuba Center protects

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

Plant Conservation

Criteria 7. 1 The garden develops a plant collections policy or annually reviews a guide for The BGCI US headquarters have recently moved to plant conservation initiatives in public the Chicago Botanic Garden. Chicago Botanic gardens endorsed by professional Garden has played a leading role in plant horticulture and conservation conservation. organizations (e.g. the North American Botanic Garden Strategy for Plant Conservation or similar guide), and sets targets for implementing each section of the strategy across garden programs

Why is Criteria 7.1 important?

• Necessary to review various initiatives to determine which works best with

the scope of your garden • Using the strategy will provide the Chicago Botanical Garden Waterfall Garden garden with a base to set conservation goals

TIP Botanic Gardens Conservation International Your garden will probably not be able to BGCI is an organization that works with over 700 implement every recommendation in international members, including many NABGS. Develop those conservation botanical gardens, to support and encourage strategies that are appropriate to your conservation. garden, and look for ways to implement additional strategies in the future The North American Botanic Gardens Strategy (NABGS) is based on the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation and provides a The Case for Sustainable Landscapes and comprehensive strategy to specifically North Guidelines and Performance Benchmarks, American gardens. 2009 , presented by The Sustainable Sites Initiative™ are great sources of For more information: information the importance of BGCI: http://www.bgci.org/ conservation. Guidance and Performance NABGS : http://www.bgci.org/plants2010/NABGS/ Benchmarks, 2009, shares information on NABGS http://archive.rbg.ca/cbcn/en/publications/nabgs/ site design regarding water, soil & nabgs_final_eng.pdf vegetation, and material selection.

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

Plant Conservation

Criteria 7. 2 The garden has a plan for monitoring, management and introduction of aggressive/invasive/non-native species that do not fit into 7.1 guidelines, and “Invasive plants have the potential to outcompete native species in natural areas, annually monitors progress and sets new reducing the biodiverse food source for goals native insects, birds and the rest of the food chain. While expenditure of vast resources Why is Criteria 7.2 important? on control of widespread invasive species is usually not effective or economically feasible, • Monitoring progress and setting goals on control can be focused on highly visible the management of aggressive, invasive, discreet garden areas.” and non-native species, ensures that you Susan Barton, PhD, University of Delaware will be up to date with recent research and information

TIP National Invasive Species Monitor state specific invasive plant species Information Center (NISIC) through the United States Department of The United States Department of Agriculture National Agriculture Library Agriculture’s NISIC provides information on website federal, state, local, and internationally http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/unitedstates/ main.shtml#.UFvNd42uaf4 invasive species http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/

The Japanese knotweed, polygonum cuspidatum, was originally introduced as a garden ornamental and now threatens Washington State waterways. In addition to out-competing native species, it can often compete with tree species.

Source: Washington State’s Department of Agriculture website http://agr.wa.gov/

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

Plant Conservation

Criteria 7.3 Phipps Conservatory The garden documents native flora Every year, Phipps produces a list of the Top 10 Sustainable Plants. on garden lands, and incorporates These plants are: conservation of regional plant • Resistant to disease and insects species and plant communities in • Non-invasive • its goals, education programs, and Require minimal watering and fertilization For the Top 10 list, and more: garden plan http://phipps.conservatory.org/project-green-heart/green- heart-resources/top-ten-sustainable-plants.aspx

Why is Criteria 7.3 important? Phipps Center for Sustainable Landscapes http://phippscsl.org • Native plants offer a wide variety of benefits – educating users, guests and employees will encourage them to use native species in their own gardens

“Native plants are the bottom of the ecological pyramid. If you pull out the bottom bricks your top may tumble. Who knows what wildlife, birds, bees and insects are supported by that plant, and what other plants are affected in this Smithsonian Gardens ecosystem. Quite often rare plants are the Throughout Smithsonian Gardens, natural canary in the mine shaft sending out a landscapes and plants are used to maintain a danger warning when habitats are on the sustainable garden. decline or disappearing. ” The grounds surrounding the National Museum Eileen Boyle, Mt. Cuba Center of the American Indian are comprised of plants native to the area. To guarantee that the landscape was true to the area, Smithsonian The swamp buttercup is only one of the Gardens consulted with a team of area experts rare native plants that Mt. Cuba Center protects Mt. Cuba Center

Mt. Cuba Center is home to an impressive number of native plant species • 49 rare native plants species are located within Mt. Cuba Center • Of these 55 species, seven are ranked “S1” (five or fewer occurrences in the state) • The garden systematically removes invasive species, protects rare plant species, and restores degraded habitat

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

Plant Conservation

Criteria 7.4 TIP The garden regularly trains garden Direct employees to the North American Plant Collections Consortium (NAPCC) to find out staff in effectively implementing more about plant preservation and plant conservation into horticultural, collection management research, land management, • http://www.publicgardens.org/content/ what -napcc education, and planning at the garden

Why is Criteria 7.4 important?

• Training staff on conservation will allow them to contribute to the garden’s sustainability • Staff interact with the garden’s visitors and educate them on the key points from their own training

Chicago Botanical Garden provides The International Union for Conservation of Nature conservation tips and techniques that any (IUCN) is dedicated to conserving biodiversity employee could participate in, including: through all aspects of sustainability. Look to their • Composting tips website as an education tool and for thorough • Fungi information information on sustainability. • Green garden tips • Info on rain gardens Website : http://www.iucn.org/knowledge/tools/tools/education/

Communication, Education, and Public Awareness: For more information: http://data.iucn.org/dbtw-wpd/edocs/2007-059.pdf http://www.chicagobotanic.org/plantinfo/conservation/

What to include in training: NatureServe Conservation

• The importance of conservation within NatureServe, along with its members and horticultural activities collaborators, determines the conservation • What the garden is actively doing to status of various plant and animal species. A ranking and associated letter/number helps implement conservation users to identify the current status of the • Nature Serve Conservation Status plant. http://www.natureserve.org/explorer/ranki ng.htm For more information: http://www.natureserve.org/explorer/ranking.htm

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

Plant Conservation

Criteria 7.5 The garden regularly assesses and improves the implementation and efficacy of its conservation efforts Global Strategy for Plant throughout garden planning, Conservation operations and programs The UN’s Convention on Biological Diversity has developed a global strategy Why is Criteria 7.5 important? that aims to bring local, national, regional, and global, groups together to conserve • Regularly reviewing the garden’s the diversity of the world’s plants. conservation efforts is important to The Global Strategy Objectives include ensure that potential projects aren’t being educations, documentation, plant overlooked diversity, and public engagement. • Allowing different groups within the garden to perform these assessments will For more information: provide a varied input and creativity to http://www.cbd.int/gspc/ the conservation process

What to consider in your assessment: • Does the garden have a wide variety of • Variations on climate, weather plant species? patterns, precipitation

• Is the ground at the garden still native • Does the garden have special soil or has it been changed with requirements for exotics? construction and development?

VeriFlora Certifcation

VeriFlora is a program that provides sustainability certification and eco-labeling to the agricultural industry.

VeriFlora’s Certification Standard’s requirements for Crop and Ecosystem Management provide information on what plants to use and how to properly handle them in order to build a healthy, sustainable garden

See the following Certification Standard for more information: http://www.scscertified.com/docs/VeriFlora_Version3_0407F.pdf

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

Plant Conservation

Chapter 7 Summary Notes

Do we have a plan to conserve plants, landscape, and horticulture? conservation of •conservation is integrated into all plants and aspects of horticultural activities landscapes at the garden

staff is trained to •staff is aware of current initiatives implement and encouraged to suggest their conservation own Does the garden staff know how to implement conservation? regular •garden is regularly assessed and assessment of consideration is given to efficiency conservation of conservation programs efforts

How often does the garden step back and evaluate their conservation efforts?

Smithsonian Garden’s National Museum of the American Indian is surrounding by natural landscape

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

Chapter 8 Toxic/Hazardous Waste

Attribute 8 Toxic and hazardous waste reduction/management for all activities (i.e. pest control, fertilizer and chemical use, cleaning products, etc .)

Why is Attribute 8 important? What to expect from this chapter:

• The toxic and hazardous waste used within 1. Guide on how to measure your garden’s toxic and hazardous waste the public garden can be harmful, not only 2. Examples of successful programs that to the surrounding environment but, to have been established to employees and visitors. eliminate/reduce toxic and hazardous • It is necessary to reduce these chemicals waste and confirm that anyone coming in 3. Guide to train employees on the contact with them is knowledgeable and proper use/application of handling safe pesticides, fertilizers and other chemicals

“At Applewood Integrated Pest Management plays a large role in caring for our fruit trees as well as ornamental plants and turf. The strategy is to keep plants healthy and pest damage to a minimum, with the least disruption to the environment.” Mike Belco, Applewood Estate

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

Toxic/Hazardous Waste

Criteria 8. 1 How to measure your toxic and The garden annually measures toxic hazardous waste and hazardous waste generated • Keep an inventory of all the toxic or from all activities (i.e. pest control, hazardous materials that are being fertilizer and chemical use, cleaning purchased for the garden products, etc.) • Make sure that these recordings are detailed and accurate so that future comparisons can be made Why is Criteria 8.1 important?

• This measurement can be used to generate an understanding of the amount of toxic and hazardous waste consumed by the garden • This number can be used for a future comparison

Shangri-La Botanical Garden uses bat houses to attract pest eating bats and reduce the need for pesticides

VeriFlora Certification Tagawa Garden Section 7.1. Pest/Disease Management provides Located in Centennial, Colorado, the Veriflora the VeriFlora Certification requirements for certified Tagawa Gardens has reduced their keeping a record of fertilizer and pest control use of chemicals by adapting integrated pest use. These requirements include: management

• Application method, dates, and re-entry What is integrated pest management? times http://www.epa.gov/opp00001/factsheets/ipm.htm • Verification the product is legally acceptable • Attract natural predators within given jurisdiction • Display a diverse array of plant species For more information, see Section 7.1 in VeriFlora • Physically remove items that may attract Certification requirements: pests http://www.scscertified.com/docs/VeriFlora_Versi on3_0407F.pdf

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

Toxic/Hazardous Waste

Criteria 8. 2 The garden has implemented a program to eliminate/reduce toxic and hazardous waste generated from all activities (i.e. pest control, fertilizer and chemical use, cleaning products, etc.) North Carolina Botanical Garden

Why is Criteria 8.2 important? North Carolina Botanical Garden follows the environmentally responsible gardening practices • With proper planning, toxic and hazardous that they teach to their visitors and community waste can be eliminated from the garden members. These include: • Use of various technologies could limit use Integrated pest management : of fertilizers, pesticides, and harmful • i.e. Necessary to learn which pests are harmful cleaning products and which can be left alone https://attra.ncat.org/pest.html The Sustainable Sites™ initiative provides information within their Guidelines and Performance Managing Diseased Plants Benchmarks, 2009, on how to effectively use • Avoid using chemicals to address plant appropriate, non-invasive plants. See prerequisite diseases. Instead, look for alternatives like 9.2 cutting back plants or applying baking soda to the diseased leaves http://www.sustainablesites.org/report/Guidelines%20and%20Pe rformance%20Benchmarks_2009.pdf

State Specific Invasive Species Niagara Parks Golf courses within park system are taking steps Visit the following website to find information about towards Ecological Based Pest Management (EBPM) threatening invasive species in your garden’s state with hopes of becoming fully certified under USGA Audubon Sanctuary Program http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/unitedstates/state.shtml http://www.usga.org/Content.aspx?id=26126 SC Johnson’s Greenlist TM process SC Johnson’s Greenlist process rates cleaning US Botanic Gardens materials as “Best”, Better” or “Acceptable”. The USBG maintains a rose garden goal of this program was to go beyond meeting where all roses are grown legal and regulatory requirements and increase without the use of pesticides or percentage of ingredients with the least impact on fungicides. Visitors are provided environmental and human health. information on how they can grow roses without the use of For more information: chemicals http://www.scjohnson.ca/en/scj_greenlist.aspx

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

Toxic/Hazardous Waste

Criteria 8. 3 The garden provides regular training to grounds staff on the proper use/application and handling of pesticides, fertilizers, cleaning products and other chemicals

Why is Criteria 8.3 important?

• Staff are regularly exposed and expected to apply pesticides, fertilizer and other VeriFlora Certification chemicals Section 10.1 Management of Agrochemical and • Educating them on how to handle these Other Hazardous Chemicals and Wastes outlines potentially harmful substances will ensure the proper procedures for handling, storing, and they are safe and responsible applying hazardous chemicals. Be sure to review all information with employees MSDS on a regular basis to ensure that they are Material Safety Data Sheets provide employees following the necessary procedures. with procedures for handling various substances at the garden For more information: Standard: http://www.scscertified.com/docs/VeriFlora_Version3_040 7F.pdf Tools for training Website : http://www.veriflora.com/

OSHA (United States) At staff at Applewood Estate, including seasonal The United States Department of Labor provides workers and summer interns, become certified information on training employees about workplace hazards pesticide applicators within the state of Michigan For more information: http://www.osha.gov/

WHMIS (Canada) The Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) is Canada’s National hazard communication standard For more information: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/occup-travail/whmis- simdut/index-eng.php

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

Toxic/Hazardous Waste

Chapter 8 Summary Notes Where to we use toxic/hazardous waste at measure •use this as a starting point for the garden? toxic/hazardous reductions waste

implement •find various techniques that use program to natural products rather than reduce waste chemicals

train staff on •provide training to staff so that Do we already implement gardening techniques proper handling they are able to responsibly of waste handle the chemicals that reduce chemical use?

“The trend in fruit production pest management has been away from broad spectrum insecticides, to using softer and narrower spectrum products targeting specific aspects of a pest’s life cycle. Combined with accurate pest monitoring, the result is better preservation of native insects and animals.”

Mike Belco, Applewood Estate

Sustainable Gardening Tips • Keep your plants healthy and well watered so Concordia University’s Greenhouse Project restricts that they are able to resist insect damage and chemical use and promotes sustainability at the disease University http://sustainable.concordia.ca/ourinitiatives/greenhouse/ • Only choose plants that can thrive in the soil type, temperature, and sun exposure provided in the garden • For new plants, use compost made from the garden’s own organic waste • Plant native species that promote beneficial insects • Using natural predators (birds, bats, bugs) to sustainably eliminate pests • Plant a diverse array of plants to reduce pests and eliminate need for harmful chemicals

For more Gardening Tips : http://www.organicgardentips.com/

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

Chapter 9 Training

Attribute 9 Development and growth opportunities for public garden employees

Why is Attribute 9 important? What to expect from this chapter:

• Employees are the main contact with all 1. Tips on how to train your staff visitors and many stakeholders. It is 2. Tools to engage employees and volunteers important that they are knowledgeable on 3. Information on the importance of all aspects of the garden reporting training • Updating employees skills will keep them motivated and interested in garden activities

Employees at Missouri Botanical Garden are engaged in a great educational program

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

Training

Criteria 9. 1 The garden has a program to provide TIP training, development, promotion and Ask employees what they are most interested in learning about. Mix topics of interest with those advancement opportunities for its that benefit the garden. employees to support their continued employability (i.e. skills management training, lifelong learning programs, What type of training to provide? etc.) • Bring in specialists on topics that your Why is Criteria 9.1 important? employees are interested in • Use your own specialists – volunteers or • Employees will be motivated if they know employees at the garden may be interested why the garden is interested in helping in teaching their peers about something that them to develop they are passionate about • Continual training and development will • Send employees to conferences or other prevent employees from becoming bored learning opportunities and uninterested

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

Public Garden Employees

Criteria 9.2 The garden broadly engages its Missouri Botanical Garden employees on all aspects of Missouri Botanical Garden has a great employee sustainability (both directly engagement program which includes a Green Team comprised of representatives from all and indirectly related to their areas of the garden. The green team is role within the garden) responsible for designing employee communication and signage, educating on various initiatives (i.e. recycling programs), and Why is Criteria 9.2 important? introducing campaigns http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/ • Employees should be engaged and enthusiastic about sustainability both at Atlanta Botanical Garden • the garden and at home Staff is trained by HR on environmental stewardship programs • Engaged employees are happy to come to • Employees are encouraged to use work and will be great educators to all alternative transportation and bring their public garden visitors own refillable glass • All staff are encouraged to communicate TIP with the directors of the garden and provide Visit APGA’s Volunteer Section to learn how to feedback involve your volunteers: • Volunteers are provided with training, http://www.publicgardens.org/content/volunteer- orientation and ongoing support management http://www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org

Docents, discovery volunteers, conservatory & orchid center assistants, and many other volunteers are essential for the success of Atlanta Botanical Garden. The garden includes volunteers in field trips, workshops, and other events in return for the generous time that they donate.

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

Public Garden Employees

Criteria 9.3 The garden provides regular Why is Criteria 9.3 important? training to its employees (or • Keeping employees informed and retraining, as required), on the use educated is important. In addition to of the Sustainability Index for North making them feel more comfortable American Public Gardens , the about what is happening at the garden’s own sustainability policies, garden, it will encourage them to program and target stay involved and active in garden events The Sustainability Index provides definitions of key • The Sustainability Index provides a terms, an overview of issues at the garden, and comprehensive overview of issues justification for the use of both the Sustainability affecting public gardens. All garden Index and Workbook. employees should be encouraged to See the ANNEX A of the Sustainability Index to learn about how key issues in the public garden read the Index prior to using this were determined and how the Index and Workbook Workbook were developed.

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

Public Garden Employees

Criteria 9.4 The garden engages employees on As all gardens are different, this Workbook the use of the Public Garden aims to reach a wide variety of audiences by Sustainability Index Proven Practice suggesting a range of initiatives and Workbook to facilitate the available programs. implementation and advancement of sustainability in its operations, activities and events How to use the Workbook

Why is Criteria 9.4 important? 1. Choose a focus area are the garden that you are interested in helping to • The Public Garden Sustainability Index improve (e.g. wastewater Proven Practice Workbook was designed management) and developed with employees in mind 2. Select the corresponding Attribute • By reading one page at a time, employees can learn about the Attributes and Criteria and Criteria for that focus area (e.g. and how to apply them within the garden for wastewater, you will find information in Attribute 3) 3. Either print, photocopy, or remove “Public gardens celebrate the relationships that page from the Workbook among people, plants, nature, and 4. Use the resources listed for criteria landscape. The Sustainability Index gives all to examine your own garden public gardens, large and small, an 5. Suggest or implement the various objective framework for gauging their initiatives at your garden performance relative to environmental The Workbook is also a great tool that sustainability. Without such indices it is can be used to learn about other public hard to judge whether a garden is or isn’t gardens. Make sure to visit each improving its environmental performance garden’s website for more information over time.” Dr. David A. Galbraith, TIP Royal Botanical Gardens Don’t get overwhelmed by the size of the Workbook . Read, study and implement only one Criteria (page) or Attribute (section) at a time

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

Public Garden Employees

Criteria 9.5 The garden annually reports on the percentage of employees trained By having a routine for reporting (incl. training specified in criteria employee training, the garden can 9.1, 9.3 and 9.4) guarantee that they don’t accidently skip anyone Why is Criteria 9.5 important?

• Training all employees and volunteers is TIP extremely important for any public garden • Recording all training should be a regular In addition to the garden recording each part of the garden’s routine – this will employees training, encourage employees guarantee that nobody gets skipped and volunteers to keep track of their own training. They can use this information on their resume or within a portfolio.

Chapter 9 Summary Notes Are our employees all trained?

Train and •provide basic and additional training Engage to employees and volunteers

Use the Index •use tools found within the Index and and Workbook to help train and engage Workbook employees and volunteers What additional training may be of benefit to our employees?

Report the % •keep records of employees that have of employees been trained and encourage them to trained record their own training

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

Chapter 10 External Stakeholders

Attribute 10 External Stakeholder engagement on public garden sustainability policies, programs and targets

Why is Attribute 10 important? What to expect from this chapter:

• Being involved with external stakeholders 1. Examples showcasing several gardens allows the garden to benefit from the that actively involve stakeholders in expertise of an even wider range of people their own programs • Many of the leading public gardens are 2. An example of annual reporting that involved with several certification systems, includes stakeholder involvement community programs, and other various stakeholders

“Royal Botanical Gardens (in Hamilton and Burlington, Ontario, Canada) is seeking certification as an Ontario EcoCentre. This is a comprehensive assessment of an organization’s ecological footprint, developed by a consortium of out-door education centres and schools. It is providing RBG with an objective framework for measuring its environmental performance in areas like water consumption, waste production, energy use, and educational programming around the importance of sustainability.” Dr. David A. Galbraith, Royal Botanical Garden

NEIGHBORS

COMMUNITIES EMPLOYEES

SUPPLIERS GUESTS

Who are my stakeholders?

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

Stakeholder Engagement

Criteria 10. 1 Van Dusen Botanical Garden The garden has a program to engage stakeholders on the Van Dusen Botanical Garden is involved with the garden’s own sustainability policies, Vancouver Park Board program and targets • Vancouver Park Board is funding an important study to determine how to significantly reduce water consumption at the garden Why is Criteria 10.1 important? • This is then reported on an annual basis

• the garden management will benefit from Queens Botanical Garden involving stakeholders in the garden’s sustainability policies, program and targets Queens Botanical Garden’s “Master Plan” focuses • there are many mutual benefits for both on connecting community members to the garden the stakeholders and the garden Adelaide Botanical Garden –Native Garden Trail The American Public Garden Association ( APGA ) is a Adelaide Botanical Garden is a member of the North American based Native Garden Trail network. This network is garden association with over comprised of gardens within one region of 500 members. The APGA is a Australia that all meet a certain criteria for great resource to use for conservation of native plants learning about other gardens’ programs and For more information: initiatives http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/botanicgardens/Learn/ http://www.publicgardens.org/ Sustainable_Landscapes_Project/Native_gardens

Who are your garden’s external stakeholders and why would you involve them? ‹ Local community organizations o Connect with local groups as a way to involve a range of community members ‹ Government o Establish strong connection with government to open a line of communication ‹ Neighborhoods o Communicate with neighbors so that they are aware of your policies and don’t view you as a threat to the safety of their neighborhood ‹ Suppliers o Make sure that you understand your suppliers and that they operate according to your policies ‹ Schools/teachers o Classes that learn from the garden should be aware the garden’s policies and programs ‹ Peer gardens o Other public gardens are a great resource for information and examples 52

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

External Stakeholders

Criteria 10. 2 The garden annually reports on its Cleveland Botanical Garden external stakeholder engagement activities on sustainability Cleveland Botanical Garden annually reports on its progress and involvement of stakeholders. This annual report is publicly Why is Criteria 10.2 important? available on their website: http://www.cbgarden.org/ • Keeping record of external stakeholders engagement proves that the garden is looking to others for support and advice

Stakeholder Engagement: A Good Practice Handbook for Companies Doing Business in Emerging Markets , by The International Finance Corporation (IFC) provides information on how to interact with stakeholders http://www.ifc.org/ifcext/enviro.nsf/attachmentsbytitle/p_stakeholderengagement_full/$fil e/ifc_stakeholderengagement.pdf

Chapter 10 Summary Notes

Who are our stakeholders? • for the benefit of the engage garden and the communitty, connect with stakeholders as many of your stakeholders as possible

How do we engage our stakeholders?

annually •report on stakeholder involvement so that the report on public is aware of the work that you do engagement

Who did we miss?

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

Chapter 11 Community Education

Attribute 11 Community education and outreach on public garden sustainability initiatives

Why is Attribute 11 important? What to expect:

• Community members are a significant • Examples showcasing examples of stakeholder within the public garden gardens that excel in educating the community context and need to be taught about the • Information on why engaging local garden’s sustainability initiatives community and reporting on that • The communities’ involvement is very engagement is important beneficial for the garden

Humber’s Centre for Urban Ecology is a LEED® certified building that teaches visitors about a variety of initiatives and programs that Humber Arboretum offers

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

Community Education

Humber Arboretum Criteria 11. 1 Humber Arboretum is located within the Humber The garden has a program to College campus in Toronto, Ontario. Being located engage and educate its local within an educational facility, it is fitting that the community and visitors on the arboretum has a wide variety of education programs. garden’s own sustainability policies, • All visitors are provided information on program and targets horticulture and environmental stewardship Why is Criteria 11.1 important? • Educational programs teach groups about surrounding nature and the arboretums specific initiatives • Many public gardens have community

engagement and education the EarthWays Center • With so many options on how to get the Missouri Botanical Garden’s EarthWays Center is a community involved with what the garden group of employees that work to conserve natural is doing, there is no excuse for not starting resources. They complete this conservation work some up some fun garden programs by focusing on communicating with the public, students, educators, professionals, auditors, businesses, and local business leaders. By providing a diverse offering of educational How to educate programs, the EarthWays Center is able to teach • Online resources their stakeholders about our dependence on the • Regularly scheduled learning sessions at natural environment and how we can protect it. the garden • Access to self-guided information EarthWays fact sheet: http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/Portals/0/Sustainability/PDFs/Eart (pamphlets, books, signs, policies, etc.) hWays%20Center%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf

Engaging the local community provides opportunities and resources that community members may not be aware of or have access to. The Green Corps program strives to make a positive impact on the communities of which it is a part by engaging neighbors in healthy living and a greener lifestyle Cynthia Drukenbrod, Cleveland Botanical Garden

Missouri Botanical Garden is home to the EarthWays Center

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

Community Education

Criteria 11. 2 The garden annually reports on its engagement activities with its local community and visitors on sustainability

Why is Criteria 11.2 important? What to include in annual report: • Like any reporting that the garden does, ‹ Who has been involved keeping track of local community ‹ How they are involved engagement will help the garden’s ‹ Annually successes of engagement members develop an understanding of ‹ Financial involvement current programs

“In order to engage the local community, the garden must provide an accessible green space, interesting programming on and off the property as well as providing the community with horticultural or other environmental support.” Rebecca Wolf, Queens Botanical Garden

Cleveland Botanical Garden’s Green Corps Youth Program

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

Community Education

Chapter 11 Summary Notes How is the local community involved with our garden? •local community engage local members are eager to

community learn about what the garden is doing

•reporting keeps track of report on invovlement and informs engagement interested parties

Do we keep a report that outlines “The Green Corps program aligns with the Garden’s mission to spark a passion for plants and cultivate an understanding involvement? of their vital relationship to people and environment. Through Green Corps, the Garden is able to reach out to more members of the community providing work, education, and skill development opportunities.” Cynthia Druckenbrod, Cleveland Botanical Garden

Additional examples of community education:

Applewood Estate , Flint, Michigan ‹ Frequently host “ lunch and learn ” where guests are encouraged to bring their lunch and learn about seasonal topics Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden , Cincinnati, Ohio ‹ “green tips ” section on website provides quick learning for interested visitors Cleveland Botanical Garden , Cleveland, Ohio ‹ Green Corps , the garden’s signature youth outreach program, teaches teens how to grow and tend to gardens North Carolina Botanical Garden , Chapel Hill, North Carolina ‹ online education resources are available and teach visitors about gardening topics like gardening for a drought and rare, native plants Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Garden , Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania ‹ project Green Heart encompasses Green Heat at Phipps, Green Heart at Home, and Green Heart in the field –each providing information and tips on sustainability in their respective locations Santa Barbara Botanic Garden , Santa Barbara California ‹ field trips, outreach programs, kits for classroom, teacher training Van Dusen Botanical Garden , Vancouver, British Columbia ‹ the programs “ Pond Peering ” and “ Passionate Pollinators ” teach youth about the specific activities the garden does

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

Chapter 1 2 Sustainable Community

Attribute 12 Education and outreach on sustainable community development (incl. health and safety)

Why is Attribute 12 important? What to expect from this chapter:

• Visitors and stakeholders are able to 1. Several examples of gardens that take what they’ve learned from the actively work with local community to garden and apply it to the community advance sustainability surrounding the garden 2. Tips on how you can help • Many sustainable practices at the communicate to the community

garden can be implemented within 3. Info on why to include community home gardens and throughout the communication in annual reports neighborhood

The before and after of Brantford’s Water Wise community development program

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

Sustainable Community

Criteria 12. 1 Brantford Water Wise The garden has a program to Demonstration Garden The city hosts a demonstration garden that engage, educate and empower its encourages community members to learn local community (incl. children, about the conserving water in their home underserved populations, gardens. Information is included on: • minorities, etc.) on managing its Drought-tolerant plants • Strategic shading environmental/social impacts and • Rain barrels promoting overall advancement of • Native plant species sustainability within the community For more information: http://www.brantford.ca/residents/health/water_qual Why is Criteria 12.1 important? ity/programs/water_conservation/waterwiseGardens/ • Engaging, educating, and empowering the Pages/WaterwiseDe monstrationGarden.aspx local community is a positive and fun thing that any garden can do TIP • Make sure that all community members If your garden charges admission, consider offering free admission one day a week. This are involved – regardless of language, age, will allow visitors of lower income to enjoy nationality, or income. what the garden has to offer

Queens Botanical Garden Queens Botanical Garden (QBG) provides U.S Botanical Gardens compost training, information, and USBG’s Bartholdi Park is piloting the demonstrations to any interested community Sustainably Sites Initiative (SITES). The park is members. being redesigned to fit SITES criteria and will QBG also offers several hands-on learning include a demonstration garden http://www.usbg.gov/bartholdi-park programs or children For more information: • The demonstration garden will offer http://www.queensbotanical.org/home community members an area to learn about SITES and provide them with the information on how to practice these gardening styles in their own backyards

QBG lesson on sustainable lawn care

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

Sustainable Community

Criteria 12. 2 Contribution to the The garden annually reports on its sustainability of the local contribution to the sustainability of community can be one small its local community and the success section within the annual report of these contributions Why annually report? Why is Criteria 12.2 important? • Visitors can read the report and easily learn about what the garden is doing to help the • Annually reporting contributions to the surrounding community local community allows the garden to • The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) keep an record of its successful programs sustainable reporting guidance provides information on how to provide transparent • These programs can then be re-visited and information to all stakeholders. improved upon www.globalreporting.org

Chapter 12 Summary No tes How have we educated, encouraged, and empowered the local community?

•provide local community with engage, educate, information on how to be empower sustainble

Do we report on our contribution to local community sustainability? annually •keep track of report on interactions sustainability between garden and community in local community

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

Chapter 13 Well-being at garden

Attribute 1 3 Well-being of public garden users, guests and employees

Why is Attribute 13 important? What to expect from Chapter 13:

• It is critical that all users and guests of the 1. How to increase quality of life for garden garden are safe users, guests and employees • Public gardens have the ability to improve 2. Importance of training employees users quality of life by providing green 3. Information on Health and Safety spaces where guests and employees can 4. Setting targets to reduce incidents and connect with nature accidents

“It is important to engage our community to maintain visitorship . If people are engaged, they have ownership and will come back and follow us and support our institution. It is important to have this type of support from the community to be able to continue providing programming and activities.” Rebecca Wolf, Queens Botanical Garden

Visitors at Santa Barbara Botanic Garden

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

Well-being at garden

Criteria 13. 1 Connecting with Nature The garden has a program We spend the majority of our time indoors and disconnected from nature. Garden users, guests implemented to promote increased and employees can greatly benefit from connect quality of life (i.e., physical and with nature. mental health, etc.) for users, • Provide spaces for garden users to experience the garden (walking trails, guests, and employees via their benches, etc.) overall experience/interaction with • In garden buildings, make an effort to have the garden as a means of windows facing scenic gardens and views – connecting with nature even looking at gardens will help visitors feel connected to nature Why is Criteria 13.1 important?

• Public gardens have the ability to provide Chicago Botanical Garden is smoke free. This green space for all users, guests, and allows visitors to enjoy all areas of the garden. employees to enjoy www.chicagobotanic.org • Connecting with nature has been shown to improve quality of life TIP Public gardens should provide visitors with quiet areas and walkways so that they can experience the natural areas at the garden.

Quiet spaces and walkways allow visitors to enjoy the garden

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

Well-being at garden

Criteria 13. 2 Traditional Health and Safety See Criteria 13.3 for the many traditional health The garden provides regular and safety programs employees need to be training to all employees on trained on. enhancing well-being for all users, in addition to traditional health and safety

Why is Criteria 13.2 important?

• Employees, in addition to being trained on traditional health and safety requirements, will benefit from learning how to enhance the overall well-being of garden visitors • Visitors to the garden may be looking for different things, such as education, fresh air or gardening tips. Make sure that the garden addressing a variety of visitor requirements

TIP Survey garden users, guests and employees to find out what they want from the garden. Accept submissions in a suggestion box and incorporate feedback into employee training

Maintenance Throughout training, highlight the relationship between clean gardens and pathways and happy visitors. • Removing tripping hazards and cleaning up falling branches or unhealthy plants will increase the attractiveness of the Fountains and pathways, shown here at garden and improve the experience of Smithsonian Garden, are great areas for garden garden users, guests and employees users, guests, and employees to enjoy the outdoors

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

Well-being at garden

Criteria 13.3 What should a safety program The garden has a health and safety include? program in place to meet the safety Evacuation plans o A Fire safety evacuation should be requirements of users, guests, and posted and available to all users of the employees garden o This plan should include: evacuation Why is Criteria 13.3 important? plans, fire extinguisher information, fire preventative training, and instructions • Following a health and safety program will on keeping certain paths clear o See the following example: protect the safety of users, guests and http://minerva.acc.virginia.edu/~psych/fac- employees and is a necessary step in hb/evac-plan.htm managing a garden Ground Maintenance plans o It is important that the garden is TIP maintained and potential tripping Keep signs around the garden that advise users of hazards are removed uneven land, poisonous plants, and other hazards First Aid response o Provide first aid training to employees and volunteers (http://www.redcross.org/ ) o Keep record of employee’s and volunteer’s specific health concerns

TIP When hosting large events, consider having United States Department of Labor a station set up for first aid, and hire Red Cross staff to be adress any health and The United States Department of Labor’s safety concerns Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) is designed to provide safe working conditions. The program includes training, outreach, education, and assistance.

OSHA stresses the importance of employee safety and the necessary protocol that must be followed to meet applicable regulations

For more information: http://www.osha.gov

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

Well-being at garden

Criteria 13.4 Clean up debris from The garden has a target to reduce plants on a regular basis or eliminate the occurrence of to prevent tripping hazards incidents/accidents/other impacts that affect overall well-being of users, guests and employees while on public garden property Why is Criteria 13.3 important?

• Once the garden has measured the number of incidents at the garden, it is necessary to set a target to reduce them

Chapter 13 Summary NOTES Does our garden improve quality of life for all users, guests and employees?

•provide spaces for users, Improve guests and employees to quality of life connect with nature

Training and •implment a rigourous Is the training that the garden provides Health and health and safety program regarding well -being adequate? Safety •provide training

Set targets for •set targets for reduced improvement accidents

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

Chapter 14 Finance & Business Attribute 14 Financial Planning and Business Management

Why is Attribute 14 important? What to expect from this chapter:

• Economic sustainability is important for all 1. How to build a sustainable financial plan gardens 2. Tips on long term sustainability • If the garden is not economically 3. An example of annual financial audits sustainable, then it is not reliable for its and the information required to employees, guests, and community complete them • Creating a plan for the garden will establish needed security

National Tropical Botanical Garden –Allteron Garden

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

Finance & Business

Criteria 14.1 Getting Started The garden has a policy to integrate The following steps will are needed in sustainability into its financial developing a financial sustainability plan: 1. Who will develop the plan? planning, investments (i.e., socially Rather than choosing one person to control this plan, a responsible investment options), group or committee should be established 2. Communicate employee saving plans (401k) and There may be people on your team that are willing or business management decisions interested in helping. Communicate that a plan is being established and acknowledge any input 3. Audit Conduct an audit of all resources and expenses the Why is Criteria 14.1 important? garden is responsible for 4. Determine Requirements • Developing a sustainable financial plan There are certain things that the garden absolutely provides security for the garden needs. Make sure that these are recognized and get • Having a thorough understanding of the top priority

garden’s financing will allow for smart 5. Determine Goals While there are certain things that the garden can’t do planning and implementation of initiatives without, there are other added improvements that may not be completely necessary. These goals need to Planning can occur not only within the garden be established so that they can be planned for itself, but also for sustainability. The following report completed by the APGA in 2011 with IMLS For full information on integrating sustainability: funding discusses the roll of public gardens in http://ctb.ku.edu/en/tablecontents/sub_section_main_1297.aspx

advancing sustainability: http://publicgardens.org/files/files/Sustainable%20Co mmunities%202011.pdf

TIP A sustainable financial business plan won’t only consider money –it needs to evaluate the other incoming resources, such as volunteers, donated equipment, or shared resources.

Recommendation Address both short-term and long-term sustainability within financial planning and business management decisions

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

Finance & Business

Criteria 14.2 Where to Start The garden has developed a 1. Define Purpose What does the garden need from this plan? It may business plan to ensure its long be used to establish funding requirements or to term viability develop a sustainable growth strategy. 2. Uniqueness What is unique about your public garden? Make Why is Criteria 14.2 important? sure to include this in the plan so that readers can understand what challenges you may face • A business plan will help the garden 3. Outline Develop an outline for the progression of the develop in a controlled and safe manner garden’s development. Be realistic and keep track • Following a business plan will help the of any documents or data that needs to be garden to make changes to infrastructure collected Small Gardens: http://www.sba.gov/ when they can afford to do so 4. Research • Developing a business plan helps to An effective business plan will be well researched identify potential problems and prospects and include specific data. Any information that you for the garden will need to include in your plan should be accurate. 5. Write and Edit After a completed business plan is written, contact TIP employees or stakeholders to review the plan and A business plan should include information on provide input development, operations and management, For a full outline of how to develop your business plan: financial projections, marketing, competition, http://www.stanford.edu/group/biodesign/cgi- and a contingency plan bin/ebiodesign/index.php/integration/business-plan-development-menu

Recommendation

When developing the garden’s business plan, consider projection for 5-10 years. The business plan can then be re- visited and modified and the garden develops

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

Finance & Business

Criteria 14.3 National Tropical Botanical Garden The garden regularly assesses its The National Tropical Botanical Garden is a economic viability and overall charitable, non-profit organization that works to sustainability performance against conserve, research, and educate. Although they are a non-profit organization, and the business plan and makes the structure of the report may differ from a required adjustments to ensure profitable organization, their financial statements are publicly available on their long term viability website. These can be used as a basic understanding of Why is Criteria 14.3 important? what information must be regularly assessed.

• Regularly evaluating the garden’s For full audited financial statements, see: http://ntbg.org/about/financial.php economic viability will allow for preparation and modifications to be made if there are any imminent issues Recommendation • Evaluate the garden’s sustainability performance and Even though a plan can be set, changes business plan on an annual basis to ensure that it is can occur quickly and need to be consistently relevant addressed

The National Tropical Botanical Garden –McBryde Garden

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

Finance & Business

Chapter 14 Summary Notes

Does our policy integrate sustainability?

Policy integrates •all planning and sustainabilty decisions are made in into financial a sustainably manner plan Is our business plan viable?

business plan •business plan ensures long addresses long term term viability sustainability

Do we regularly assess long term viability? regularly •economic viability is assess long addressed on an term viability annual basis

National Tropical Botanical Garden –Limahuli Garden and Preserve

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

Chapter 15 Strategic Planning & Governance

Attribute 15 Strategic Planning and Governance

Why is Attribute 15 important? What to expect from this chapter:

• Sustainability needs to be integral 1. Policy samples throughout all garden processes 2. Outline of duties required by sustainability • A coordinated strategy prevents manager sustainability from being viewed as 3. How to develop an adaptation plan unimportant 4. How to sustain a dynamic workforce 5. Climate change adaptation 6. Information on importance of targets

Cleveland Botanical Garden hosts an annual Sustainability Symposium

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

Strategic Planning & Governance

Criteria 15. 1 The garden has a policy to integrate sustainability into its strategic Example Policy Statements planning and governance • “As a leading centre for biodiversity research, horticulture, conservation and education, and a major visitor attraction on its four sites, RBGE is committed to improving its environmental performance as part of Why is Criteria 15.1 important? a wider commitment to sustainability” Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh • A policy communicates what is most For full policy: http://www.rbge.org.uk/assets/files/about_us/RBGE_E important to the garden nvironmental_Policy.pdf • All decisions are made by referring to the • “Great importance is placed on the protection of the policy. Therefore, sustainability will be environment at the Australian Arid Lands Botanic considered with every decision made at all Garden (AALBG). The AALBG is a centre for the levels of the garden cultivation, research and display of vegetation from the southern arid zone of Australia, and includes substantial areas of local endemic vegetation. It is vital that this vegetation is managed carefully and that when site works are undertaken that disturbance is TIP kept to an absolute minimum” When writing the garden’s policy, be sure to Australian Arid Lands Botanic Garden include all three pillars of sustainability – For full policy: environmental, social, and economic http://www.portaugusta.sa.gov.au/webdata/resources /files/2_11_02AALBGenvironment.pdf performance • “Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability (CRS) is a pillar of Coca-Cola Enterprises’ overall business framework. Good environmental stewardship is fundamental to our CRS commitments, key to the long-term success of our business and to meeting the needs and expectations of our stakeholders. We are therefore committed to integrating responsible and proactive environmental practices into our daily operations” Coca Cola Enterprises, Inc. For full policy: http://www.cokecce.com/assets/uploaded_files/CCE_E nvironmental_PolicyMay2011.pdf

• “Develop and maintain plant collections for the purposes of display, education, conservation, research, and enjoyment” Atlanta Botanical Garden For full policy: Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh http://www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org/about- us/mission-history

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

Strategic Planning & Governance

Criteria 15.2 The garden has a designated Atlanta Botanical Garden manager with overall governance/ Sustainability Case Study Overview responsibility and oversight for This case study was written by Atlanta Botanical sustainability within all public garden Gardens to help garden managers advance operations, activities and events sustainability and implement a successful sustainability plan within their own garden.

Managers at Atlanta Botanical Garden conducted a “Green Expansion Plan” highlighting the five following Why is 15.2 Criteria important? areas: • Sustainable site development • Holding one person accountable • Water savings • Energy efficiency guarantees that oversight for • Materials selection sustainability within the garden will be • Indoor environmental quality considered Throughout the completion of the expansion plan, the garden was careful to address environmental, societal, and economic impacts. Recommendation Appointing a senior employee with this The garden credits its success to the following factors: • Flat organization structure responsibility will bring more respect to o A large percentage of staff report and are sustainability within the garden encouraged to communicate with the executive director • Connections with stakeholders o The garden’s programs help stakeholders practice sustainability • Volunteers o Over 300 volunteers work with the gardens 97 staff members • Partners o The garden is connected to Garden to Garden (cite), the APGA, and local organizations within Atlanta • Fiscal Responsibility o “pay-as-you-go” philosophy • Capital planning o Board, executives, and staff work together to plan the projects • Programs and practices o Development of Green Sustainability Plan

For the full case study, see: Atlanta Botanical Garden www.ijfm.net/index.php/ijfm/article/download/60 /65

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

Strategic Planning & Governance

Criteria 15.3 The garden’s master plan includes a strategy to attract, retain, and train a competent TIP Encourage volunteering in your garden. This is a and diverse workforce with the low commitment way for interested parties to appropriate intellectual capital slowly become involved with the garden. and skill to ensure its long-term viability/sustainability Why work to attract and retain staff?

Why is Criteria 15.4 important? Educated and engaged employees and volunteers are the driving force behind a successful garden. • Attracting new employees will help to

refresh the garden and bring in innovative Use the various training tips found under ideas Attribute 9 Development and Growth • It is important to keep current employees Opportunities for public garden employees to and volunteers satisfied. Do this by engage and retain your staff. educating and engaging them in all garden activities.

Longwood Garden’s summer High School Summer Internship program provides hands on training to students interested in horticultural studies. Internship or volunteer programs encourage garden participation and attract new employees. For more information on Longwood Garden’s High School Summer Internship program, visit: http://www.longwoodgardens.org/

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

Strategic Planning & Governance

Criteria 15.4 The garden actively assesses sustainability considerations and implements strategic actions to advance sustainability associated with public garden operations, activities and events

Why is Criteria 15.4 important?

• While each of the individual attributes that have been discussed throughout this Workbook are important, there is value in acknowledging and working towards

satisfying each of them as a whole Sustainability Attributes • Sustainability considers the environmental, social, and economic Environmental performance Water consumption Water quality Wastewater reduction Planning for Sustainability: Greenhouse Gas (GHG) 1. Set a goal Non-renewable energy consumption Consider goals that are beneficial for the Solid waste reduction sustainability of the garden, its stakeholders, and Conservation surrounding community Toxic and hazardous waste 2. Objectives and Strategies Establish a means of completing each of the Social garden’s goals Overall training 3. Alternatives Analysis External stakeholder engagement Set and analyze a range of alternatives that may Community education be required Sustainable Community Development 4. Financial Strategy Well-being at garden To plan for a sustainable financial strategy, it is necessary to consider full life cycle costs (i.e. Economic maintenance, disposal, etc.) Long term viability

Governance Strategic Planning and Governance

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

Strategic Planning & Governance

Criteria 15.5 Where to Start The garden has developed and What should your adaptation plan include? • Adaptation plans will be very different implemented an adaptation plan depending on the area that the garden is (e.g. to consider and manage the located • Consider different plants that could be impacts of climate change on plants) used in the garden (more drought as part of its strategic / master resistant plants or water thirsty plants) • Construct new buildings to be resistant to planning weather extremes • Use diverse plants to maintain Why is Criteria 15.5 important? Climate Change and Invasive Species • Climate change, and its associated The Global Invasive Species Programme (GISP) focuses impacts, has the potential to be extremely on the negative effects of invasive species (i.e. damaging to public gardens. biodiversity loss). Their report, Invasive Species, Climate Change and Ecosystem-Based Adaptation: • It is essential that an adaptation plan is Addressing Multiple Drivers of Global Change, implemented to deal with the various highlights the importance of adapting to climate impacts change: http://www.gisp.org/whatsnew/docs/Climate_Change_Rep ortA4.pdf Center for Plant Conservation The Center for Plant Conservation (CPC) focuses on protecting U.S native plants and has written a publication on reintroducing plants in a changing climate. For more information: http://www.centerforplantconservation.or g/Education/Publications/Publications .asp

Climate Change Research Botanical gardens are excellent hosts for climate change research. Their controlled growing conditions, record keeping, knowledgeable staff, and wide variety of plant species, make them perfect for scientists to work with. The University of British Columbia botanical garden and centre

For more information, see: for plant research is completes ongoing research on the effects http://www.bgci.org/resources/news/0585/ that climate change has on plants

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

Strategic Planning & Governance

Criteria 15.6 The garden meets the criteria if The LEED® program for Existing Buildings: sustainability considerations are Operations & Maintenance (EB: O&M) integrated into deferred certifies buildings that operate, make maintenance decisions (e.g. improvements, and conduct maintenance in a sustainable manner. managing aging infrastructure) The LEED ® program addresses the Why is Criteria 15.6 important? following:

• Aging infrastructure can be expensive and • Cleaning time consuming to maintain • Maintenance • Maintenance should not be considered a low • Recycling programs priority – spending money and time now, • System upgrades saves money and time in the long run • Exterior maintenance

Deferred Maintenance For more information on EB: O&M and • expensive other LEED ® certifications see: • precarious • health and safety implications http://www.usgbc.org/

Missouri Botanical Garden’s Monsanto Centre is certified under LEED ® EB: O&M

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

Strategic Planning & Governance

Criteria 15.7 The garden incorporates Targets within this Workbook

sustainability targets within its o Target to reduce water consumption strategic plan, and annually assesses o Target to reduce wastewater progress on this target discharge o Target to reduce Scope 1 & 2 GHG emissions o Target to reduce overall consumption Why is Criteria 15.7 important? of non-renewable energy o Target to reduce solid waste disposal • This criteria takes into account the

reporting and implementation of all targets mentioned within the Index • As the garden’s sustainability plan evolves, Recommendation Keep a centralized database that you can communicate with employees, includes information about your community, and stakeholders the progress targets, the calculations used to set towards set targets them, and information required to • Even if all targets are not met, the changes complete these calculations in the required in the attempt are beneficial and future considered a success

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

Strategic Planning & Governance

Chapter 15 Summary Notes How well is sustainability integrated throughout the garden? sustainability in •integral strategy communicates sustainability within all aspects of strategic planning the garden

•one manager is responsible for dedicated manager everything related to sustainability Who is responsible for sustainability? assess sustainability •all aspects of sustainability are covered considerations Do we cover all aspects of sustainability? adaptation plan •plan considers possible changes from climate change

deferred •sustainability of deferred maintenance maintenance is considered What targets have we set? sustainability targets •targets are set and progress is measured

Atlanta Botanical Garden 79

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

Conclusion

Sustainability within the public garden sector is a constant evolution rather than a destination. By using the tools presented within this Workbook, gardens can slowly begin to improve their sustainability. Depending on the size of the garden, and the resources they have available, it is expected that the speed and scope of this progress greatly varies between gardens.

Longwood Gardens acknowledges possible advances in technology and garden sustainability, and therefore plans to evolve the Sustainability Index and Proven Practice Workbook as needed.

In addition to using the area reserved for personal comments at the end of each chapter, the following checklist analysis will allow Workbook users to create an overview of their garden’s compliance with the Index and identify any current gaps in the garden’s system. Each Attribute and Criteria can be listed as completed, and their level of priority can be addressed. Filling in the last column, and including a rough estimate of when this Attribute or Criteria will be completed, allows the reader to envision when each task could be completed.

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

ANNEX A

Gap Assessment Name of Garden: Name of Internal Auditor: Completed? Level of Priority Year of (y/n) (High, Medium, Completion Low) (approx.) 1. Water Consumption 1.1 Measures annual consumption 1.2 Water management plan to reduce consumption 1.3 Target to reduce consumption 2. Water Quality 2.1 Water management plan to improve quality 2.2 Measures water quality 3. Wastewater reduction 3.1 Measure annual discharge 3.2 Water management plan to reduce discharge 3.3 Target to reduce discharge 4. Greenhouse Gas 4.1 Calculates Scope 1 and 2 GHG 4.2 Implement GHG reduction program 4.3 Target to reduce overall GHG 5. Non -renewable energy 5.1 Measures consumption of non -renewable energy 5.2 Plan to reduce consumption of non - renewable energy 5.3 Target to reduce consumption of non - renewable energy 6. Solid waste 6.1 Measures annual generation/disposal 6.2 Solid waste reduction plan 6.3 Target to reduce disposal 7. Conservation 7.1 Reviews initiative and targets implementation 7.2 Addressing introduction of non -native species 7.3 Documents native flora 7.4 Train staff in implementing conservation 7.5 Regularly assesses conservation efforts

Sustainability Index for North American Public Gardens Proven Practice Workbook

8. Toxic/hazardous waste 8.1 Measures toxic/hazardous waste 8.2 Program to eliminate toxic/hazardous waste 8.3 Provides training on proper handling 9. Public Garden employees 9.1 Provides regular training 9.2 engages employees 9.3 trains on Sustainability Index 9.4 engages use of Sustainability Workbook 9.5 Reports on % of employees trained 10. External stakeholder engagement 10.1 Program to engage stakeholders 10 .2 Reports on external stakeholder engagement 11. Community education 11.1 Program to engage/educate local community and visitors 11.2 Reports on engagement activities 12. Sustainable Community 12.1 Program to engage, educate, and empower 12.2 Reports on contribution to local community 13. Well -being at garden 13.1 Program to increase quality of life 13.2 Training on Well -being 13.3 Health and Safety program 13.4 Target to reduce/eliminate incidents 14. Finance & Business 14.1 Policy integrates sustainability into financial plan 14.2 Business plan for long -term viability 14.3 Regularly assesses economic viability 15. Planning & Governance 15.1 Sustainability in planning and governance 15.2 Dedicated manager with governance for sustainability 15.3 Attract dynamic/diverse workforce 15.4 Assess sustainability considerations and implements strategic actions 15.5 Adaptation plan 15.6 Deferred maintenance decisions 15.7 Sustainability targets in strategic plan