Sustainability
Explore tools and strategies to help arboreta adopt sustainable practices.
Arboreta and public gardens are uniquely positioned to lead by example in sustainability by modeling practices that conserve resources, reduce waste, and promote ecological awareness.
ArbNet provides practical tools, manuals, publications, and case studies that support institutions in integrating sustainability into operations, collections care, landscape management, and public programming.
From wood reuse strategies to scientific research and interpretive resources, these materials help arboreta align daily practice with long-term environmental responsibility.
General Resources
The Role of Botanic Gardens in Practicing and Promoting Environmental Sustainability (Botanic Gardens Conservation International, 2020)
Botanic Gardens, People and Plants for a Sustainable World (following the 8th European Botanic Gardens Congress, 2018)
Tools and Manuals
The Climate Toolkit for Museums, Gardens, and Zoos (Phipps, American Alliance of Museums, American Public Gardens Association, Botanic Gardens Conservation International, and Association of Science and Technology Centers)
Public Gardens Sustainability Index (American Public Gardens Association)
Botanic gardens and their contributions to the sustainable development goals (BGjournal, January 2018, PDF download)
Botanic gardens as models of environmental sustainability (Part D of Botanic Gardens Conservation International’s Manual on Planning, Developing and Managing Botanic Gardens, 2016, PDF download)
EPA Simplified GHG Emissions Calculator
LEED: Green building rating system
Scientific Publications
Sustainability education in a botanical garden promotes environmental knowledge, attitudes and willingness to act (Zelenika et al., 2018)
Botanic gardens and sustainability: Providing a pathway forward for humanity and the planet (Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens special issue, 2024)
Reimagining relationships with resources as a public garden: Case studies of Longwood Gardens’ sustainability and stewardship practices (Turner-Skoff et al., 2024)
Botanic gardens and their contribution to the sustainable development goals (Sustainability journal special issue, 2022)
Benefits of trees (Turner-Skoff and Cavendar, 2019)
Wood Recycling and Reuse
Urban Wood Resource Page (Urban Wood Network)
TEDx Urban Wood Utilization & Carbon (Dr. George Berghorn, Urban Wood Network)
Upcycle Urban Wood: Putting Urban Tree Waste to Work (Arbor Day Foundation)
Urban Wood Reuse: Action guide, research, and case studies (Vibrant Cities Lab, U.S. Forest Service, and America Forests)
Examples—Reduce, Reuse, Treecycle (ArbNet)
Contact ArbNet
For questions, or to contribute a resource, contact the ArbNet staff at arbnet@mortonarb.org.
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