ANNUAL REPORT FY 2020
BTA's New Strategic Plan Above: Artichoke Agave is an evergreen, perennial succulent forming tight rosettes of broad, short, thick, silveryblue leaves with conspicuous reddish-brown teeth and terminal spines. While infrequent, mature plants (over 10 years) flower only once. Right: Golden barrel cactus (Echinocactus grusonii).
The mission of Boyce Thompson Arboretum is to inspire appreciation and stewardship of desert plants, wildlife, and ecosystems through education, research and conservation. Text by Lynne Nemeth, Executive Director
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his past April, the Board of Directors and staff began a strategic planning process that was long overdue. Timing couldn’t have been more auspicious. Now operating as an independent nonprofit, and with a new Executive Director, Boyce Thompson Arboretum can chart its own path forward. And while the coronavirus pandemic has caused many difficulties, the “pause” in activities has given us some space to take a step back and evaluate.
16 | Boyce Thompson Arboretum | Fall 2020
Since April, Board and staff have enthusiastically participated in a number of meetings (via Zoom) with Stephanie Small of Synergy Partners Consulting. Shelly Esque, Strategic Planning Committee Chair (and Board Vice Chair) is steering the effort: “We are moving forward with clear intention, and the board and staff are fired up to take on the next 100 years.” Stephanie Small has guided discussions about the status of BTA and its programs and helped us take a hard look at where we want to go.
