2. The Green Legacy travelling exhibit in Canada Barbara McKean and Laurel McIvor Royal Botanical Gardens, Hamilton, Canada

3. Today’s presentation: n Goals n Virtual Tour of exhibit n Successful partnerships n Key elements to funding n Exhibit development n Travelling logistics n Lessons learned

4. Primary goals of exhibit: n Promote the importance of native plants and associated research n Engage Canadians across the country n Encourage partnerships between botanical gardens, museums and community organisations

5. Multi-functional Approach n Exhibit will travel for 4 years and then become a part of a permanent exhibit at new educational centre Royal Botanical Gardens, Hamilton (anticipated opening in 2006)

6. A virtual tour….

7. Series of modular exhibits:

8. Home and Native Landscape n Plants as symbols of national identity- flags, coins, stamps n Native Canadian Maple Trees

9. n Map of Canadian ecoregions and typical vegetation n Provincial floral emblems n Interactive puzzle Native Plants Create a Sense of Place

10. Native Plants Attract Native Animals n Interrelations of plants and animals n Plant communities as habitats

11. Native Plants at Risk n Species at Risk: status and recovery planning n Invasive Species - threats and management n “Green Gardening” techniques for naturalised, wildlife and organic gardens

12. Economic Importance of Plants n Yearly economic value of Canadian plants n Monetary value of wild plants n Wood variety, products and uses n Commercial medicines and products from Canadian plants

13. Basic Botany & Botanical Trivia n Parts of a plant n Pollination n Adaptation n Seeds & dispersal n Wall of Fame

14. Botanical Pursuits n Canadians working for plants n Plant research n Botanist of the Future n Careers in Botany

15. Local Connections n Examples of Native Plants n Plant and seed sources/ suppliers n related organisations

16. Partners n Royal Botanical Gardens, Hamilton: Education and Science Departments n Canadian Museum of Nature: Botany, Education and Exhibit Design Departments n Canadian Botanical Conservation Network n Design & Content Contractors

17. Elements of Successful Partnership n RBG: Access to grant money, botanical and interpretation expertise n CMN: Access to exhibit design expertise & experience with travelling exhibits n CBCN: Regional contribution and reviews n Contractors: exhibit develop expertise and dedicated time available

18. Key Elements of Financing: n Good track record with funding organisation n Project divided into 3 phases (years) : design and content, construction, travelling component infrastructure n Logical for same funding organisation to continue project for all three phases, but saleable to others as well n Knowledgeable and efficient contractor

19. Exhibit Development n Several planning sessions n Broad expertise from partners n Contractor drafted the text n Complementary community workshops organised by host n Programming component is linked to school curriculum n Text is bilingual, space is limited n More detailed information on web site

20. Travelling Logistics n Site inspections to consider variety of space available n Considered insurance and travelling logistics n Exhibit is ideal for 1500 ft² - flexible to room shape (only one wall component) n Specially designed to be self-crating

21. Elements of Success n “Very few exhibits about plants: great to have one available” n Interactive components are very popular n Travelling logistics are working well n Exhibit is creating a demand for local native plant gardening expertise and related contacts

22. Lessons Learned n Expensive to ship (heavy) n Too large for most botanical gardens n Complementary workshops aren’t happening very often - need for follow- up n Value of web site is questionable, don’t have a dedicated web editor

23. For more information visit our web site: www.rbg.ca/greenlegacy Thank you!