The fairchild tropical botanic garden will improve the design and outcomes of its programs by developing an institution-wide approach to evaluation

The Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden will receive $446,981 from the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the Museums for America federal grant program (CFDA 45.301) for a project grant awarded September 1, 2022 and concluding August 31, 2024. The Garden aims to improve evaluation of its programs by developing an institution-wide approach including creating an evaluation strategic plan identifying shared outcomes, staff trainings on evaluation best practices co-developed with a consultant, and a resource library of evaluation tools. The trainings will equip staff to appropriately evaluate programs for diverse audiences of all ages and experiences. This project will strengthen the Garden's ability to design evaluation plans, implement studies, analyze data, and apply learnings to continually enhance the visitor experience.

Project activities include creating an evaluation strategic plan, which will identify shared outcomes; staff trainings; and developing a resource library with evaluation tools to better understand visitor attitudes and dispositions. Trainings, which will be CO-developed by staff and a consultant, will give staff the knowledge and skills to conduct evaluations that are appropriate for the ages, diversity, and experiences of visitors. The project will increase the staff's ability to design evaluation plans, implement studies, analyze data, and utilize those findings to continually improve the visitor experience.