Open AccessGuest Essay A lesson for Botanic Gardens from the Covid-19 pandemic: reaching wider audiences through online activity
Author(s) -
Beverley J. Glover
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
sibbaldia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2513-9231
DOI - 10.24823/sibbaldia.2022.1885
Subject(s) - pandemic , covid-19 , power (physics) , digital media , media studies , visual arts , sociology , art , world wide web , computer science , biology , medicine , physics , disease , pathology , virology , quantum mechanics , outbreak , infectious disease (medical specialty)
The power of botanic gardens to connect people to plants has traditionally stemmed from the physical interaction between visitors and living collections. However, the Covid-19 pandemic forced many botanic gardens to consider alternative, online programmes of engagement. Here I argue that this experience has been revelatory, showing us that digital approaches provide the power not only to reach a wider audience, but to connect more deeply with that audience if the content is carefully designed. The new opportunities provided for connecting people to plants will be an important part of botanic garden engagement programmes in the years ahead.