How did National Tropical Botanical Garden achieved BGCI’s Advanced Conservation Practitioner Accreditation?

Having already completed BGCI’s Botanic Garden Accreditation and Conservation Practitioner Accreditation, the National Tropical Botanical Garden began their journey towards earning their Advanced Conservation Practitioner Accreditation at the start of 2020. They received their accreditation in August 2021.

In 2021 Nina Rønsted, the Director of Science and Conservation at the garden took the time to talk to BGCI and reflected on the accreditation process.

“It was a natural thing and from the outset because we consider ourselves being very active in conservation” Nina said of the decision to obtain further accreditation.

About the Accreditation process

Though the process was slow Nina and the team felt supported throughout. “It’s been very easy to communicate and ask questions and it’s a very friendly process in that way, so it’s been like a good amount of support if you didn’t have anything or you wish for clarification.” The journey did not feel invasive either, “You don’t feel like it’s somebody who’s coming in assisting you or evaluating your grades or there’s nothing at stake in terms of going for the process; it feels more like welcome in the community”.

Benefits of Advanced Accreditation

Since gaining their advanced accreditation, there have been few marked or immediate beneficial outcomes. This isn’t because the accreditation isn’t beneficial, but that having already completed the first two accreditation programs, comparatively fewer doors have been opened. That said, being able to display their advanced practitioner status online will support them when seeking funding and acts to show the legitimacy of their conservation work.

“It also means that it gives them sort of pride, staff, feeling that okay all this work that we’re doing on a daily basis, it’s actually, you know, we’re actually doing well”.

The garden is a network of five gardens with locations in Hawaii and Florida, meaning that collections and staff are spread over a continent and across the ocean. The process of applying for their advanced accreditation provided the garden with an opportunity to come together around a shared task. “It helps an internal communication and mutual understanding a little bit”

Most beneficially the accreditation process revealed areas of the garden that had previously received less thought and attention. “It is like food for thought and something that you could model for future possibilities.”

Accreditation Documentation

Nina, who was leading the way in the accreditation process, found minimal issues with the accessibility of the information and documents provided by BGCI. Due to the international nature of BGCI and its member gardens, no specific documentation was required which allowed NTBG to best show how they are leaders of conservation. “It can seem confusing but I don’t feel that you have to conform to specific things, it’s kind of an overall evaluation overall pictures so it’s more about trying to give them an impression of how much is the idea of being a conservation practitioner he kind of embedded in both in your formal paperwork and how you communicate your teaching, and your practices, your collections and everything like that.” This was helped by the examples of possible evidence which could be submitted, provided by the BGCI Accreditation Standards Manual and other documents.

Challenges

The only area brought up as being challenging was the use of PlantSearch. Given their collection of over 10,000 plants, the process of uploading all their plant data was long. The use and accessibility of PlantSearch is being currently reviewed by BGCI and we are hoping to launch soon a much easier way for members to upload their data.

The Unexpected

The most surprising feedback from the report was its suggestion that the garden should start to consider how it could support smaller gardens. “ I guess that was the biggest surprise” “So that’s the discussion that we will be having.” Whilst the NTBG at this point, are not heading towards a formalised long-term partnership with a smaller garden, they are hoping to provide accessible information and support for gardens seeking such.

The future

Regarding future plans, the NTBG will be striving to maintain their high levels of conservation standards and lead the way for smaller gardens. Being a flagship garden, as Nina puts it, requires them to set standards and innovate,

“You have to lift. Lift up and, and try to do your best and be an inspiration for others.”