The university of south florida botanical gardens will contract with a qualified vendor to develop and produce five large high-quality outdoor educational signs for its pollinator garden, apiary,…

Federal Grant Award Summary

The University of South Florida Botanical Gardens received a $156,370 Project Grant award from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) under the Museums for America program (CFDA 45.301), effective October 1, 2025, with completion targeted for September 30, 2026. The grant funds the development and production of five large, high-quality outdoor educational signage installations for the Botanical Gardens' Pollinator Garden, Apiary, Native Collection, Avian Garden, and Littoral Shelf Planting areas. The University will contract with a qualified vendor to design and manufacture the signage, incorporating custom illustrations, interactive features, and specialized materials tailored to meet the identified institutional need for enhanced visitor education.

The project directly addresses the Botanical Gardens' strategic objective to improve educational interpretation and visitor engagement across all age groups through more interactive and accessible information presentation. Project staff will collaborate closely with the selected vendor throughout the design and production phases to ensure the final signage products meet quality standards and programmatic goals. This award aligns with the Museums for America program's core emphasis on community engagement and educational programming through strategic, project-based museum initiatives.

The university of south florida botanical gardens will contract with a qualified vendor to develop and produce five large high-quality outdoor educational signs for its pollinator garden, apiary, native collection, avian garden, and littoral shelf planting. Project staff will work closely with the chosen vendor to create custom illustrations, interactive features, and finalize materials and design. The new signage will meet the garden's identified need for improved educational interpretation for visitors of all ages by connecting them to information in a more engaging and interactive way.