The Role of Botanical Gardens in Fostering Visitor-Plant Relationships

Authors:

• Sophia Elena Eichholz, Museology Graduate Program
• Chair: Jessica Luke
• Nancy Rottle
• Julie Johnson

Abstract:

With plant diversity at risk primarily due to human impact, conservation organizations are looking to botanical gardens to educate, foster, and strengthen the imperative understanding of our mutual relationships with plants. The purpose of this study was to examine the role of botanical gardens in fostering visitor-plant relationships. Thirty-one participants visited a local botanical garden, taking a photo of a plant or a group of plants they felt a connection with and something in the plant’s surrounding area that contributed to that feeling. Photographs were used as a reference for a follow up interview with the participant about their experience at the garden. Findings suggest that visitors’ connection with plants at a botanical garden are more often emotional or sensory than they are cognitive. Participants were more likely to think about the role plants play in their life than the role they play in the life of plants and self-plant role reflections occurred more often than reflecting on the role of plants for the wider world. The design of the space that most often contributed to plant connections were paths while written interpretation and signage played a limited role. Findings in this study have implications for practitioners and researchers interested in designing gardens with conservation education in mind.