Thank you for your interest in participating in the IDEA Center for Public Gardens 2024-2025 cohort program!
The application deadline is April 30, 2024. Please take time to read through these instructions and reach out to
maelin.plummer@botanicgardens.org if you have any questions. More information about the program can be found on
the IDEA Center's website.
Participation is open to public gardens of all types, sizes and operating budgets, whether you are early on or further developed in your IDEA journey. The program will include a combination of learning approaches, including instructor-led learning modules, project-based experiential learning, and topical discussions, with the following general timeline:
- Onboarding: June 2024
- Learning modules, project kickoff and topical discussions: July 2024-May 2025
- Project conclusion, program assessment and graduation: June 2025
The requirements of the program include the following:
- Letter of Commitment from your board chair and Executive Director/CEO* (each to be submitted with this application)
- Prioritization and participation for the entirety of the one-year program
- Participation includes a board member**, the executive director, and one staff member for all sessions
- Attendance at monthly scheduled virtual workshops, meetings, and/or discussions (2.5 hours/month)
- Identifying and implementing an IDEA-related project within your organization during the program (guidelines will be provided during onboarding)
*If your organization (such as a university or municipality) does not have a board of directors/trustees, we will accept a letter from the Executive Director/CEO or equivalent.
**Board member participation does not need to be the chair, it can be any board member. If your organization does not have a board, then an equivalent individual who has influence and power to make decisions in your institution can participate.
At any point in the application submission, you can save and return to it later for completion. An announcement of the selected cohort will take place before the end of May.