BTA's New Strategic Plan

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

This 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.

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.” 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.

But first, we had to answer the question: What do we want to be? After many years as a State Park and University of Arizona department, who are we? The answer was unanimous. Boyce Thompson Arboretum is a botanical garden, and we want to be recognized as a leading botanical garden around the world.

We also agreed on a number of value statements that support the concepts of beauty, stewardship, life-long learning, and community.

● Our setting is unrivaled in its natural beauty and is environmentally rich in its biodiversity.

● All living things are inter-related and interdependent.

● The conservation, protection and stewardship of all species of plants, animals and humans is critical.

● Education for all on the appreciation and stewardship of desert plants, wildlife and ecosystems is essential to the planet’s future.

● Our community is one where people are kind, inclusive and welcoming.

We recognize that volunteers are valued stewards of our collections, our visitor relationships and our stories, and that direct exposure to nature is essential for healthy development and for the physical and emotional health of children and adults.

"We are moving forward with clear intention, and the board and staff are fired up to take on the next 100 years.”

How do we achieve our mission and vision and support our values? During the past few months, break-out groups discussed ideas, strategies and actions, with the ultimate assignment of developing six overarching goals.

Strategic Plan Goals

● Clearly define and develop education programs to serve youth and inspire life-long learning.

● Implement appropriate research and conservation programs that demonstrate stewardship practices and take advantage of the Arboretum’s unique assets.

● Create a master site plan for the on-going upkeep, maintenance and enhancements of the Arboretum

● Promote the unique benefits of the Arboretum through enhanced marketing, branding, audience development and community partnerships

● Develop a business model and plan for financial sustainability through both earned and contributed revenue.

● Build internal capacity through the professional development of staff and volunteers.

Each of these goals will have a standing or ad hoc committee to develop strategies, action steps, and timelines to be in place and approved by December 2020. Everything that we do going forward is going to support our mission and vision. Thank you for being part of BTA as we become recognized as a leading botanical garden around the world!

Top: Artichoke Agave is an evergreen, perennial succulent forming tight rosettes of broad, short, thick, silvery-blue leaves with conspicuous reddish-brown teeth and terminal spines. While infrequent, mature plants (over 10 years) flower only once. Above: Golden barrel cactus (Echinocactus grusonii).