The current attitudes and actions of United States botanic gardens regarding invasive plant management were evaluated. Invasive plant species are present in many botanic gardens and learning how different institutions respond to their presence is beneficial. This sharing and dissemination of information helps botanic gardens identify management strategies that have been successful at other institutions, highlighting procedures that could be useful at their own institution. This study classifies botanic gardens according to the presences of, plan for, or lack of an invasive plant management plan. The content of existing invasive plant management plans are evaluated using two standards. This analysis illustrated which issues botanic gardens are focusing o and which issues they fail to concentrate on. Determining which strategies have been successful in managing invasive plants and which have not will allow the botanic garden community to direct its resources in the most effective manner.

This study was carried out by sending electronic mail surveys to 60 botanical institutions in the United States that were either members of the Center for Plant Conservation or Botanic Gardens Conservation International. Institutional characteristics of budget size and mission statement were applied to evaluate survey results. Invasive plant management policies were evaluated using two existing documents that were generated at the North Carolina Botanic Garden and the Missouri Botanic Garden.

Results showed that the survey response rate was highest for institutions with large budgets, as compared to institutions with mid-size and small budgets. Survey responses indicated that a higher number of institutions with a large budget had policies when compared to institutions with mid-size and small budgets. Evaluation of these policies indicated that gardens direct the majority of their energy to eliminate plant species which have already become invasive, in both cultivated collections and natural areas. Responses revealed that the gardens surveyed focus les effort on risk assessment and prevention of future invasions. This is the most revealing finding from this study, as it illuminates an area where botanic gardens can become more effective. As the findings from this study are disseminated, they may give rise to a change in management strategies and lead to the prevention of future plant invasions.

Jennifer is the Conservatory Manager at Fairchild Tropical Gardens in Miami Florida

From childhood to present day, Jennifer has made the natural world an integral part of her life. Her childhood was marked with regular visits to the Chicago Botanic Gardens, camping trips across North America, and hours spent gardening with her Mom. These and other experiences fostered a lifelong passion for plants, which has fueled her desire to contribute to the botanic garden community.

As with many people in the field, Jennifer began her horticultural career working at a garden center. She also worked as a greenhouse manager at her undergraduate institution, Wright State University, in Dayton, Ohio. Upon graduation Jennifer pursued her interest in botanical gardens and served as an intern at the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens in Northern California. This internship solidified Jennifer's decision to follow a career path in the botanical garden field. Wanting to diversify her botanical knowledge, Jennifer spent time at botanical institutions across the United States. She served as an intern or temporary employee at the United States National Arboretum, The Greenhouse at the Washington National Cathedral, Brookside Gardens, the National Tropical Botanical Garden, Wegerzyn Horticultural Center, and most recently at Quail Botanical Gardens. Though all of these internships were exciting and mind-opening, Jennifer's time spent interpreting the Amorphopahllus titanum in full bloom at Quail Botanical Gardens was unlike any other botanical experience.

While serving as an intern at the National Tropical Botanical Gardens, Jennifer became intensely aware of the effects of invasive plants on native plant communities. This awareness, along with a growing interest from the botanical garden community, led Jennifer to focus her studies at Cornell University on invasive plant management at botanical gardens and arboreta in the United States. Jennifer has also contributed to the invasive plant work group at Cornell Plantations and will work with staff to write a policy for invasive plant management at Cornell Plantations. As she completes her graduate program Jennifer hopes to secure employment in plant conservation, collections management, or plant records, viewing these positions as the gateway to promoting the diversity of plant life.

Aside from academic interests, Jennifer enjoys spending much of her time outdoors biking, camping, hiking, or gardening. Jennifer also sets aside time for cooking and baking, which she balances out with her regular yoga practice.