Morton Arboretum

The Morton Arboretum will develop training tools for horticulture staff at public gardens and arboreta.  Based on a survey conducted in 2023, the Arboretum learned that finding and retaining staff with horticulture backgrounds is increasingly difficult, and managers often do not have the time and resources to implement consistent training. This project will address these issues by developing an adaptable curriculum for horticulture staff at any garden, a suite of eLearning courses available on Morton Arboretum’s training platform, and customizable "Model Sites” that will incorporate an organization’s existing content and training needs. These three products will help horticulture managers onboard new staff and develop the skills of existing staff.  By expanding organizations’ capacity and deepening staff learning, the living collections at public gardens and arboreta across the country will be better cared for and maintained.