As we move towards our final phase of support for CIN, our attention has been focused on embedding the success of the programme by gathering evidence of its impact in a way which will drive practice forwards. As a contribution to this, we are holding a day long peer review event at our offices in Hoxton tomorrow (Thursday 19th March).

The day will bring together our botanic garden partners and other key stakeholders from social, arts, environmental and funding organisations to share their experience of the CIN process, as well as community engagement more widely. Dr Bernadette Lynch, who will be facilitating the event, is conducting an evaluation of the programme which this interactive discussion will inform and guide. The day will focus on identifying the outcomes from the programme so far and make practical recommendations to ensure CIN continues to thrive.

BGCI is an international membership organisation linking more than 2,500 botanic gardens in 120 countries and has been instrumental in developing the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation. Botanic gardens are found in most countries of the world, predominantly in urban areas and they can play a key part in raising awareness in the local community about the crucial role of plants in sustaining life.

Image © Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.