As Pennsylvania finally seems to be settling into winter weather, the First Year Longwood Graduate Fellows are excited to be setting off for the southern hemisphere. Since July, we have been researching and developing an itinerary to explore the social impact of Australian gardens in Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide. This trip was designed to align with Longwood Gardens’ strategic planning goals to measure the effect of education and community engagement programs beyond the garden gates.
The First Year Fellows started the Longwood Graduate Program in July with a two month immersion at Longwood Gardens. During this time we met with staff from all over the organization, took tours, and learned the history of the Gardens. Through this process we quickly recognized our shared interest in the social side of horticulture, especially in terms of education and community engagement. We’re eager to explore these interests in Australia as we discover what New South Wales has to offer.
First Year Fellows at the 2015 Woody Plants Conference at Swarthmore College. From Left: Grace Parker, Elizabeth Barton, Tracy Qiu, Alice Edgerton, Erin Kinley. Photo by Matthew Ross.
The Fellows will be visiting a variety of destinations in Australia, including world-class zoos, botanic gardens, and national parks. We will be learning how these organizations are examining the short- and long-term impacts of their own programs. The Fellows will be researching specific programs at each organization through tours and meetings with local staff, focusing on community engagement and education.
Please follow along with us on this journey through the Longwood Graduate Program Blog.
You can also follow us on social media!
Facebook: The Longwood Graduate Program in Public Horticulture
Twitter: @ElizabethTau
You can also search our trip hashtag: #LGPDownUnder
We are so excited to explore Australia and to share our experiences with you!
