In order to help guide the future of ArbNet and how we might best serve the community of arboreta and tree professionals, ArbNet has begun a comprehensive evaluation.

Why Are We Doing the Evaluation?

• ArbNet is growing rapidly across many dimensions (accreditations, staff, programming, collaborations, projects, etc.)
• Big shift to new digital application and data management system – good opportunity to use accreditation data for sector-wide summary analysis and improving resources
• The accreditation requirements have not been significantly evaluated or changed since the program started in 2011

What Are We Hoping to Learn?

• Goal 1: Understand how arboretum accreditation has been discovered, perceived, and used
• Goal 2: Identify any potential areas of improvement to accreditation requirements to most accurately reflect the diversities and capacities of the arboretum community
• Goal 3: Learn more about the obstacles to arboretum accreditation and upgrading
• Goal 4: Learn how we can improve our website and online resources
• Goal 5: Identify potential areas for new or expanded growth of ArbNet

How Are We Conducting the Evaluation?

Capturing breadth: Network-wide survey in early 2025

Capturing depth: Series of focus groups this fall 2024