News Published: 29 August 2024

Botanic Gardens Conservation International U.S. (BGCI-US) is excited to announce a new formal partnership with New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill and the Ecological Landscape Alliance (ELA). This new venture, rooted in strong mission alignment, will bring the leadership base of both BGCI-US and ELA to the botanic garden and will strengthen all three organizations in plant conservation, research, and ecological horticulture practice.

The partnership will be headed by Mark Richardson, who will serve as Executive Director for both BGCI-US and ELA. He will oversee and execute the mission, strategic planning, and operations of both organizations, and ensure each organization maintains its individual identity. Mark spent the last six years as Director of Horticulture at New England Botanic Garden, where he oversaw the horticulture staff responsible for maintaining nearly 200-acres of gardens and natural areas. During his tenure at New England Botanic Garden, Mark helped grow the garden’s reputation for horticultural excellence, engaging in meaningful projects to preserve rare plant collections and earning national recognition for sustainability initiatives that decarbonize horticulture operations.

“BGCI-US is thrilled to welcome Mark Richardson as our new part-time Executive Director,” says Ari Novy, BGCI-US Board Chair. “He will simultaneously serve as Executive Director of the Ecological Landscape Alliance while remaining based at New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill, where he previously served as Director of Horticulture. Mark possesses a wealth of botanic garden leadership experience, and we are excited for him to lead efforts to grow BGCI-US so that we can conserve plant life for the future.”

“I’m excited to join the dedicated team of staff, institutional partners, and board members committed to advancing BGCI-US’s priorities,” Richardson says. “BGCI-US is uniquely positioned to work with the BGCI network of botanic gardens in North America and around the world to carry out the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation, share knowledge and resources, and support the work of other organizations through grant funding and training programs.”

“The affiliation is a natural fit,” says Grace Elton, CEO of New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill. The Garden operates on 200 acres and engages over 200,000 annual visitors in its mission to create experiences with plants that inspire people and improve the world. “Partnering with ELA and BGCI-US,” Elton explains, “creates opportunities for New England Botanic Garden to advance its strategic priorities, allowing the organization to better convene peer institutions and thought leaders in public horticulture around plant conservation and plant-based solutions to climate change.”