Mission, Vision, and Garden Stewardship Philosophy
Our Mission
The mission of the Botanical Garden of the Piedmont is to welcome all community members and visitors to engage in nature, to inspire learning through the beauty and importance of plants, to advance sustainability, and to promote human and environmental well-being.
Our Vision
Create and maintain the garden to unite plants native to our region with complimentary architecture and landscape design.
Provide access to the garden and its natural spaces for exploration, observation, and restoration.
Present affordable, engaging programming to provide educational and inspirational experiences for all ages.
Commit to inclusion, excellence, and upstanding management while maintaining a positive impact on the eco-system and our community.
Core Values
Inspiring connection, learning, and joy through nature
Inclusion Statement
The Botanical Garden of the Piedmont brings people of all ages and backgrounds together as a community to celebrate and nurture our native flora and fauna. BGP embraces inclusion by inviting everyone to participate in the Garden whether they be visitors, supporters, volunteers, or staff, to further our goal of being a place that promotes human and environmental well-being. In nature and in society, diversity matters—we welcome and celebrate it!
Garden Stewardship Philosophy
Executive Summary
A public garden is a living, evolving landscape that requires thoughtful stewardship, ecological sensitivity, and long term vision. Botanical Garden of the Piedmont’s Stewardship Philosophy establishes the values and principles that guide all care of the Garden’s living landscape. It affirms a commitment to ecological integrity, sustainability, and community benefit, ensuring that maintenance action supports the Garden’s mission of education, conservation, and public enjoyment.
This philosophy provides the stable foundation for all operational decisions, shaping how the Garden stewards soil, water, plants, wildlife, and visitor experience. It is designed to endure over time, even as the Garden grows and conditions evolve.
Introduction
BGP is shaped by natural rhythms, seasonal change, and the dynamic interactions of plants, wildlife, soil, and people. The Garden’s stewardship philosophy establishes the values and principles that guide its care. It reflects a commitment to ecological integrity, community benefit, and long term sustainability, ensuring that maintenance decision supports the Garden’s mission.
This philosophy provides the ethical and ecological grounding for all maintenance actions, regardless of season, staffing, or operational changes. It articulates the “why” behind the Garden’s approach and through this framework, the Garden affirms its role as a steward of place, modeling how landscapes can thrive through thoughtful, regenerative care.
Guiding Values for Stewardship
The Garden’s approach to maintenance is rooted in a set of core values that shape actions on the land.
- Ecological Integrity — Maintenance supports natural processes, strengthens biodiversity, and protects the health of the ecosystem.
- Sustainability — Resource use is intentional, efficient, and aligned with long term environmental responsibility.
- Community Benefit — The Garden remains safe, welcoming, and inspiring for all visitors.
- Respect for Natural Rhythms — Care follows seasonal cycles and ecological cues rather than rigid schedules.
- Regenerative Practice — The Garden seeks not only to avoid harm but to restore soil, habitat, and ecological resilience.
These values ensure that maintenance decisions reflect both the Garden’s mission and its responsibility to future generations.
A Regenerative Approach to Sustainability
Sustainability is not a separate initiative; it is the foundation of the decisions in a native plant public garden. The Garden embraces a regenerative model that restores ecological function and strengthens resilience over time. The goal is regeneration by restoring soil, supporting biodiversity, and strengthening ecological resilience. Key principles include:
- Work with natural processes
- Reduce inputs and waste
- Protect soil health
- Conserve water
- Support biodiversity
- Prioritize local and renewable materials
- Foster community responsibility
These principles guide all resource related decisions, from plant selection to material procurement.
Water Stewardship
Water is one of the Garden’s most precious resources. Conservation is achieved through thoughtful design, plant selection, and careful irrigation practices. The philosophy emphasizes:
- Planting drought tolerant native species
- Using mulch to reduce evaporation
- Designing pathways and beds to slow and absorb rainfall
- Capturing rainwater when possible
- Prioritizing drip irrigation over overhead systems
- Watering deeply and infrequently
The Garden practices restraint, recognizing that overwatering can be as harmful as drought. When soil becomes water logged it does not permit proper aeration, and plants will wilt and eventually die.
Soil as a Living System
Healthy soil is the foundation of a thriving native plant garden. The Garden treats soil as a living system—one that supports microbial life, cycles nutrients, and anchors plant communities. The philosophy includes:
- Avoiding compaction and minimizing disturbance
- Keeping foot traffic on designated paths
- Adding organic matter through compost and leaf litter
- Avoiding synthetic fertilizers
- Allowing natural decomposition to enrich soil
- Conducting soil testing to guide stewardship decisions
Compost is valued as an inexpensive way to produce organic material to feed the soil, and is used thoughtfully to support long term soil health.
Ecological Pest and Disease Management
The Garden embraces an ecological approach to pest and disease management, recognizing that insects, fungi, and other organisms play essential roles in a healthy ecosystem. Intervention occurs only when necessary to prevent significant harm. The philosophy emphasizes:
- Encouraging natural predators
- Removing diseased material promptly
- Improving soil health to reduce stress
- Utilizing synthetic pesticides as a last resort, in order to protect biodiversity and limit ecological impacts
The guiding principle is to prevent unacceptable levels of damage by the most economical means with the least possible risk to people, property, and the environment.
Seasonal Alignment and Natural Rhythms
Stewardship follows the ecological rhythms of the seasons. Each season brings its own tasks and lessons:
- Spring — Gentle emergence, selective debris removal, early invasive control
- Summer — Water conservation, light pruning, pest monitoring
- Fall — Seed collection, planting, soil enrichment, habitat support
- Winter — Structural pruning, hazard assessment, planning, and reflection
This rhythm based approach ensures that stewardship supports wildlife, soil processes, and plant life cycles while preserving the Garden’s natural character.
Long Term Care of Trees
Trees are long lived members of the Garden community. Their care is guided by patience, respect, and a long view of the landscape. The philosophy emphasizes protecting roots, supporting natural growth, and stewarding trees so they continue to provide shade, habitat, and beauty for generations.
Community Responsibility and Education
Visitors, volunteers, and partners are part of the Garden’s ecological community. Through signage, programs, and interpretation, the Garden encourages sustainable behaviors and fosters shared stewardship. The Garden serves as a living model of sustainability, demonstrating that ecological responsibility is both achievable and inspiring.
A Living Philosophy
This Stewardship Philosophy is a living framework—one that evolves as the Garden grows, as ecological understanding deepens, and as community needs shift. It provides the foundation for the Garden’s Maintenance Plan and ensures that actions taken on the land reflects the Garden’s mission, values, and commitment to ecological stewardship.
