Preserving America's Exceptional Gardens
Preservation Assistance Gardens
Preservation Assistance Service
The same horticultural, technical, management, and financial expertise needed to sustain the long-term stewardship of gardens that are Preservation Projects of the Garden Conservancy are also available in the form of preservation assistance to gardeners, managers of nonprofit organizations, public agencies, and garden preservation professionals associated with other important gardens in the United States.
Although the Garden Conservancy does not provide grants or purchase and own gardens, it does offer a range of consulting services, select garden rescues, a conservation easement program as well as education, training, and reference handbooks on garden preservation and conservation. The fees for its consulting services are set modestly to cover direct operating costs associated with the consultation.
Range of Services:
Consulting Services | Short term assistance, information and advice on preservation strategies, techniques, and organizational development |
Garden Rescue Services | Help in organizing campaigns to purchase gardens in peril because of imminent sale or adverse development of the property |
The Conservancy's conservation easement program protects the garden values of a property. The Conservancy works with the easement grantor to develop permanent conservation goals and is responsible for ongoing monitoring and protection. Click here to read more about Conservation Easments. | |
Preservation Handbook | The Conservancy publishes a Handbook that outlines the issues and strategies involved in saving a garden. The Handbook addresses feasibility, organization, and fundraising. To order the Handbook, please click here. |
Education and Training | Lectures and symposia are offered for professionals and volunteers engaged in garden preservation. See the list or upcoming events on our home page. |
Click here to read about recent developments at the Anne Spencer Garden as one example of our preservation assistace services. Article from the Fall 2009 Garden Conservancy Newsletter.
To Request Assistance...
The Garden Conservancy’s mission is to assist in the preservation of exceptional American gardens for the public’s education and enjoyment. While all gardens are important to those of us who enjoy them and work in them, the Conservancy must focus its limited resources. Therefore, before inquiring about Garden Conservancy assistance, please consider the following questions relating to the garden’s potential for preservation and feasibility as a public garden.
- Is the community aware of the garden and is there a commitment to preserving it as a public garden?
- What makes the garden exceptional? Is it the quality of the design? Is the plant collection unique? Is it the last remaining of its type/style in your region? Is it the garden of a notable person in regional or national history or in horticulture or design? If the answer to each of the above is 'no,' what does make the garden exceptional?
- Is the garden under imminent threat? If so, what is that threat and what are the options?
- Is there local funding for preservation? Is there the possibility of an endowment for long-term maintenance of the garden?
- What are the physical factors impacting visitation, i.e. location, zoning regulations, regional tourism, capacity of the garden, parking, public transportation, etc.?
Once you’ve considered these questions, please contact the Projects Department:
The Garden Conservancy
Preservation Projects
P.O. Box 219
Cold Spring, NY 10516
T: 845.265.9396
F: 845.265.9620
projects@gardenconservancy.org