What will my child do in the Children's Gardening Program?

Throughout the season they are enrolled, Crafters and Sprouts plant and care for a garden and learn about garden-related topics through fun enrichment activities. Each session includes time dedicated to hands-on gardening and time dedicated to learning about a particular theme, through investigations, hikes, discussions, and games. Caregiver accompanying their Sprout actively participates along with their Sprout.

Where does the Children's Gardening Program take place?

The program takes place outdoors at the Edible Academy (EA). The campus is located near the East Gate and includes gardens, classrooms, greenhouse, open air pavilions (offering relief from sun and rain), restrooms, water bottle refill station, and hand sanitizer dispensers. The classrooms and greenhouse will not be utilized during the program. The Edible Academy campus is NOT open to the public during the CGP sessions.

Does my child harvest and keep what they grow?

Many of the crops the Crafters and Sprouts plant and care for are harvested during the season they are enrolled. Some of the crops are left to grow and are harvested by the Crafters and Sprouts enrolled in subsequent seasons. Some of the crops will be harvested by Edible Academy staff and donated to local community-based food providers.

Does my child choose what they grow?

In order to have seeds and seedlings ready each program session, EA staff develop planting plans that include a diversity of crops that are seasonally appropriate. Each season more than a dozen different vegetables, herbs, and flowers are grown.

How does my child get to the Edible Academy?

Crafters and Trams are transported to and from the Edible Academy on the NYBG Trams. Trams depart from the Tulip Tree Allee. Crafters Educators join the Crafters to provide supervision during the ride.

Who teaches my child during the Children's Gardening Program?

NYBG hires and trains Crafters and Sprouts Educators to facilitate the gardening and enrichment activities planned by Edible Academy administrators. Each Educator is assigned up to 12 Crafters or 12 Sprouts and accompanying caregivers and is supported during program sessions by several Edible Academy administrators as well as Assistant Educators.

What efforts are being made to promote my child's safety during the program session?

All activities of the Children’s Gardening Program will take place outdoors; all staff and participants are required to wear face coverings indoors and in the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden and the Edible Academy. Hand washing stations and hand sanitizer stations are installed throughout the Edible Academy campus. All garden tools will be disinfected with an alcohol-based disinfectant in between users. Enrichment activities will include hikes and games that promote social distancing.

How do I enroll my child in the Children's Gardening Program?

You can enroll https://www.nybg.org/learn/kids-teens/childrens-gardening-program/ or via phone at 718.817.8181.

When does registration for the Children's Gardening Program begin?

You can register your child for Spring 2022, Summer 2022, and/or Fall 2022 sessions now.

Do NYBG Members receive a discount?

Yes, we offer CGP Crafters and Sprouts at a discounted rate for NYBG Members at the Family Level and above.

Are discounts available for enrolling in more than one season?

Yes, we offer a 10% discount for enrolling your child in three or more seasons. Please use code CGP1022 at check out.

Do you offer financial scholarships?

Yes, you may apply for a https://nybg.doubleknot.com/form/takesurvey.aspx?surveyid=83821&orgkey=3803 .

Who do I contact if I have further questions regarding the Children's Gardening Program?

You can email childed@nybg.org or call 718.817.8181

How can I purchase or renew a Membership?

You can purchase a Membership https://www.nybg.org/join-support/membership/ , on-site at any ticket window, or by calling the Membership Office. To purchase online you’ll have to create a new Member account. Renewing Members have an existing account. https://www.nybg.org/content/uploads/2019/11/ME_Members-Login-Info_2019-Final.pdf

Trade-in Tickets Towards Membership

If you have purchased regular-priced admission to the Garden, during your visit the ticket price can be applied to the cost of a Membership. For Individual and Teacher level, the cost of one regular-priced ticket is applied. The cost of two regular-priced tickets can be applied towards the purchase of a Dual Membership. The cost of two adult and two children’s tickets can be applied towards the purchase of Family–Sustaining Memberships. Please see a Visitor Services Representative on the day of your visit for additional details.

When will I receive my Membership materials?

Please allow 2–3 weeks from the date of purchase to receive your Membership materials. We will assume all proper Membership materials have been received unless notified. Please notify the Membership Office if you have not received your Membership materials 3 weeks after purchase.

Renewals may be processed at any point once your Membership term has commenced. When you renew an active Membership, it will be extended for one year from the current expiration date. The Membership Office does not retain the credit card information. This information must be re-submitted with each renewal.

When can I begin using my Member benefits?

Member admission and discounts can be used immediately upon purchase of Membership. Member Passes for guest admission or parking will be sent with your Membership materials within 2-3 weeks of purchase. Member passes can only be redeemed by presenting the physical pass at the Garden.

What admission benefits do Members receive?

Membership entitles you to year-round admission. Each Membership is allotted a fixed number of complimentary Member tickets per day determined by Membership level.

What discounts do Members receive?

Members receive a 10% discount off purchases at NYBG Shop. Members also receive discounts on education course fees and on select premium events.

Do I have to reserve tickets for timed entry?

Timed tickets may be required for admission to the Garden. This is necessary to alleviate overcrowding, ensure a more pleasant experience, and protect the Conservatory, collections, and delicate exhibitions.

How do I redeem my Member Passes?

To receive complimentary parking, redeem pass to the parking attendant upon arrival on Garden premise. When parking at our secure parking facility at 401 Bedford Park Blvd, Members must validate parking ticket and redeem pass at a Garden ticket window to avoid Event and Standard Weekday non-visitor rates. For guest admissions, passes can only be redeemed at Garden ticket windows; they cannot be reserved in advance. Each pass can be used once. If you do not have your passes when you visit, you will be required to pay regular price (no refunds).

How do I redeem Member Passes for timed-entry admission?

If a Member with a timed ticket brings a friend using a guest pass, Garden Representatives will do their best to accommodate the guest(s) at the same time. Additional timed tickets are available for purchase at regular price if you have exceeded the number of complimentary admissions allowed by your Membership level.

Can I give a friend one of my Member passes?

No. Members are required to accompany their guest(s) when using a guest pass.

Are Member Passes always valid for guest admission?

Member Passes are not valid for guest admission during the Holiday Train Show® or select premium events.

What reciprocal benefits do Members have at participating gardens and arboreta?

Garden Members receive reciprocal benefits at gardens and arboreta throughout the United States through our association with the American Horticultural Society Reciprocal Admissions Program. Benefits vary by organization. Members must contact the Garden they wish to visit confirm what benefits are available. A complete listing can be found https://ahsgardening.org/gardening-programs/rap/ .

Can I access the Garden prior to opening hours?

Early Morning Access is a great way to enjoy the beauty and solace of the New York Botanical Garden’s grounds before the Garden is open to the general public. Supporting, Contributing, Sustaining, and Patron level Members can utilize their complimentary Early Morning Access from Tuesday–Sunday, 6–10 a.m. Please have your Membership ID card or proof of Membership purchase (receipt) available when entering the Garden. Please note that no building entry is allowed with the exception of the Visitor Center and East Gate restrooms and parking is only available at the Mosholu Entrance (2950 Southern Blvd.).

How long does it take to receive my Membership card(s)?

Membership cards and passes will be mailed within 2-3 weeks of Membership purchase. Membership is active upon purchase and is not contingent upon the receipt of Membership materials.

How many cards will I receive?

Individual level will receive one Membership card. Memberships that include two or more individuals will receive at most two Membership Cards, one for each adult named on the Membership. If a Member wishes to add a new second individual to the Membership during cycle, there is a $10 replacement card fee.

Do I need my Membership card to access my benefits?

No. If you do not have your Membership card, a photo ID will be requested by Garden Representatives to receive your Member benefits. Member benefits are for the Member(s) listed on the Membership.

I lost my card. How do I get a replacement?

There is a $10 replacement fee for lost, damaged, or stolen Membership Cards You can purchase a replacement card at any ticket window when visiting the Garden or by calling the Membership Office. Please allow 2-3 weeks for the mailing of replacement card(s).

Membership is valid for one year from the date your application is processed. No refunds, extensions, or exchanges will be granted if you are for any reason unable to utilize your Membership Benefits.

Memberships, Membership Benefits, passes, and Membership Cards are nontransferable.

Membership Downgrades

The Garden does not permit a Member to downgrade to a lower Category once the Membership materials have been received and/or benefits have been used.

Membership Terms & Conditions

These terms and conditions apply to all Members of the Botanical Garden. In these terms “you/r” or “Member/s” refer to all people who have purchased or applied for a Membership at the Individual, Individual Senior, Dual, Dual Senior, Family, Family Senior, Friends & Family, Supporting, Contributing, Sustaining, and Teacher categories. The terms “we”, “NYBG”, “the Botanical Garden”, or “the Garden” refer to The New York Botanical Garden. With the exception of the benefit of admission to the Garden, we reserve the right to alter the Membership Categories and Benefits without prior notice. Members and guests are subject to conditions and policies of the Garden. We reserve the right, in our sole discretion, to refuse entry and/or Membership to a Member and to revoke a Membership without refund if a Member behaves in a threatening or abusive manner toward any person, or damages or threatens to damage any of the collections at The New York Botanical Garden. We reserve the right to amend the terms of these policies at any time. At the time of an amendment, Members will be notified.

What’s the advantage of attending the school of professional horticulture versus earning an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in horticulture?

The advantage can be summarized with one word—skills! The School’s strength is that it teaches students valuable horticulture skills, which give our graduates a competitive advantage over other programs based solely on coursework. The School’s program combines the theoretical and the practical, teaching not just how to grow plants, but why plants grow the way they do. It is due to this kind of education that our students are highly sought after, not just for internships, but also for full-time employment upon graduation.

As someone who is switching careers, what is it like to work in the horticulture industry?

It is a close-knit community of dedicated and passionate professionals who are willing to share their knowledge, experience, information, and employment opportunities. As a student, you meet many key people in this profession from around the world in diverse areas of horticulture, and as a graduate, you become part of that community. One of the biggest benefits of attending the School is making these lifelong contacts here at NYBG and beyond.

What is the typical demographic of students in the school?

Students come from all over the country and world. Most students have some college background, and many have degrees in fields other than horticulture. The majority of students are career changers and range in age from their late teens to mid-50s.

What is the job placement rate for graduates?

The School has had a job placement rate of 100% for the past 8 years. Our alumni are highly sought after by botanical gardens, public parks, celebrity estates, and even major league sports stadiums. Exceptional students also are often hired at NYBG upon graduation when a position is available. However, the School does not promise or guarantee employment.

What kind of salary can I expect to recieve

Generally, private industry pays more than public parks and gardens. The starting salary range in private industry is typically $50,000–$60,000; for non-profits it is $40,000–$55,000.

How is the two-year program divided?

The program is divided into nine terms. Academic classes are concentrated between rotations and include evening sessions.

What if I have fewer hours of experience by application deadline, should I still apply?

Yes; contact the Director to assess your situation.

How many course hours should I expect to take?

Students are required to complete 630 Course Hours and 1,990 Horticulture Rotation and Internship Hours in order to qualify for graduation.

How many hours of studying can I anticipate?

On horticulture rotation days, students start at 8 a.m. and finish at 4 p.m. On class days, students may start at 10 a.m. and finish at 6 or 9 p.m. Students also can expect to have classes some evenings throughout the year. Some courses require homework and studying outside class hours.

Why are some courses taught in the evenings?

Many courses are taught by our expert Horticulture staff. Due to their daytime schedules, they are only free to teach after 4 p.m.

Is it possible to work part-time while I am a student in the School?

Due to the intense schedule of academic courses and work rotations, in addition to various lectures, field trips, and plant ID walks, it’s nearly impossible to hold a part-time job, find time to study, and stay in good academic standing for the two-year program.

What does one recieve after Graduating from the school?

After successfully completing the program, students receive a Diploma in Horticulture from The New York Botanical Garden.

Housing is available in the Bronx and lower Westchester County within a convenient distance from the Garden. Housing is not provided by the School, and out-of-town and international students are advised to secure housing prior to arriving in New York.

When does orientation start?

Orientation starts the last week in January. New students meet staff and become familiar with the Garden’s philosophies, policies, and facilities. Orientation and special group projects with Horticulture continue through February and March to prepare students for their horticulture rotations in the spring.

Does the school provide computer access?

Computers are available 24 hours a day in the Student Room, M-280. Students may be assigned an NYBG e-mail address if desired. In addition, there is Wi-Fi service in the Watson Building and other buildings on campus.

What study and dining facilities are available to students?

Classrooms and academic facilities are in the Watson and Library buildings. The Student Room is available for meal breaks, studying, drafting, and computer use. Horticulture training is carried out at locations throughout the Garden. The Garden’s Pine Tree Café on Garden grounds is open Tuesdays through Sundays, and students enjoy a 20% discount. The Café serves pizza, panini, salads, snacks, and beverages. The Hudson Garden Grill is a more formal dining option on Garden grounds. There are also several moderately priced diners, cafés, and pizzerias within walking distance of the Garden.

A river runs through a fall forest of red and yellow leaves

Nurturing Nature

Utilizing Plant-Based Solutions for Long-Term Climate Resilience

The world faces increasingly dire challenges that have put significant pressure on ecosystems and the species that inhabit them, resulting in accelerated biodiversity loss, and therefore the decline of nature’s benefits. Plants play a crucial role in building climate resilience by providing essential ecosystem services.

Botanical gardens are a major untapped resource in adaptation and mitigation planning in the face of climate change. They play a crucial role in in-situ and ex-situ conservation, research, and education, serving as living repositories of plant diversity, centers for scientific study and species preservation, and public spaces that raise awareness about environmental issues and the importance of plant life in ecosystem health and climate resilience. The Nurturing Nature initiative responds to urgent global environmental challenges—climate change, biodiversity loss, and ecosystem degradation—by activating plant-forward solutions rooted in science, community, and collaboration for the establishment of long-term solutions.

This project was made possible thanks in part to the generous support of the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation.

The cover of the BCGI Technical Review: Scaling ecosystem restoration through botanical garden networks. Photos of people working in natural forested areas and gardens are included.

BGCI Technical Review: Scaling Ecosystem Restoration Through Botanical Garden Networks

NYBG partnered with Botanical Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) and partner organizations on this report that explores how botanical gardens can help address some of the world’s most urgent environmental challenges. Drawing on contributions from global experts and practitioners, the review highlights the distinctive roles botanical gardens play in restoration through botanical science, ex-situ conservation, plant propagation, environmental education, community engagement, policy support, and long-term stewardship. Find the full report below, or read an overview on Plant Talk.

Read the Full Report

Two people in winter clothes explore a lush tropical conservatory full of green foliage and red flowers

The Unique Role of Plants and Botanical Gardens for Climate Resilience

Plants offer powerful ecosystem services: carbon sequestration, soil stabilization, water regulation, and habitat creation. Yet, many restoration efforts fail to fully leverage their potential due to gaps in scientific resolution, long-term sustainability, and scalable models.

Botanic gardens are uniquely positioned to address these gaps. They serve as:

Living repositories of biodiversity
Centers for scientific research and species preservation
Public spaces for education and community engagement
Trusted conveners across science, policy, and local knowledge

Launched in August 2024 with support from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, the Nurturing Nature initiative aims to:

Develop a globally-endorsed, science-based Action Plan to enhance climate resilience in priority ecosystems
Activate a global network of botanic gardens to support plant-forward restoration strategies across comparative landscapes

An aerial photo of a classical building surrounded by green trees

About the Climate Resilience Advisory Group

The New York Botanical Garden, in partnership with Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI), has established the Climate Resilience Advisory Group to develop the Action Plan as a science-based roadmap for increasing climate resilience through plant-based solutions. With the leadership of a global network of botanical gardens, this project will lay the groundwork for a multi-year and multi-phased initiative that centers plants as the primary driver to effectively increasing resilience to climate change over time.

Learn More

Conferences & Events

NYBG participates in a number of conferences and events around the world to support the Nurturing Nature initiative.

62nd Annual Meeting of the Association for Tropical Biology & Conservation, June 28 through July 3, 2026

At the 62nd Annual Meeting of the Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation (ATBC), the Nurturing Nature initiative team will host a symposium titled Botanical Gardens as Catalysts for Ecological Restoration in the Tropics. The session will explore the growing role of botanical gardens as critical connectors between global scientific research and on-the-ground restoration practice, with a focus on accelerating nature-based solutions and ecological restoration across tropical landscapes. The symposium will feature speakers Mauricio Diazgranados, Tiziana Ulian, Laura Toro, Miguel Calmon, Eric Sanderson, and Emma Grover, and will highlight both institutional perspectives and applied approaches to scaling restoration impact through botanical garden networks.

COP30, November 2025

Members of the Nurturing Nature team were actively engaged throughout COP30 in Belém, Brazil. During the conference, NYBG contributed to panel discussions, partner meetings, and strategic conversations on how plant-based approaches to climate adaptation and mitigation can be scaled through the unique strengths of botanical gardens—from deep expertise in plant taxonomy and genetics to their role as trusted community institutions. Learn more about NYBG’s presence at COP30 here.

SER2025, October 2025

The Nurturing Nature initiative is excited to share that Dr. Evelyn Beaury represented the program at SER2025 this October. She participated in the workshop “Regional Invasive Species and Climate Change Management Networks: Boundary-spanning for Ecological Management” and led a session on “Botanical Gardens as Untapped Resources for Guiding Restoration and Reducing Plant Invasions.”

Her presentation highlighted the critical role botanical gardens play in informing plant conservation and restoration strategies, while also promoting practices that reduce invasion risks linked to horticultural trade. Dr. Beaury showcased the Nurturing Nature initiative and the Invasive Species Working Group as examples of this work in action.

Climate Week NYC, September 2025

NYBG is proud to participate in Climate Week NYC 2025, that brought together scientific experts, project partners, and community members to explore and discuss the power of plants for climate solutions. Several flagship events on September 24^th spotlight the themes of the Nurturing Nature initiative, including a keynote address by Dr. Carlos Nobre and a dynamic panel discussion focused on advancing nature-based solutions for climate and biodiversity.

COP16, November 2024

The UN Biodiversity Conference (COP16) took place in Cali, Colombia, from October 21 to November 1, 2024. During COP15 in 2022, the landmark plan for nature, known as the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework was agreed upon and established a pathway for the world to live in harmony with nature. COP16 focused on action and implementation to put the framework’s Biodiversity Plan on course to reach its goals by 2050.

Biodiversity loss is one of the biggest threats facing humanity. For over 133 years, NYBG has been advancing plant research and conservation. Confronting this historic crisis, NYBG is committed to leveraging its expertise and collections to address the biodiversity crises. By conserving and restoring biodiversity, we are investing in a nature-positive world that views plants not only as a resource, but as the very foundation of our ecological and cultural systems.

Read about NYBG scientists’ time at COP16 and learn more about how NYBG Science looks to plants for the answers in advancing real-world solutions around conservation, restoration, land use, regenerative agriculture, and plants, people, and culture.

Meet Emma Grover, Project Manager

Emma Grover
Project Manager, Nurturing Nature initiative

The Nurturing Nature initiative, launched with Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI), brings together experts from around the world to create a roadmap for using plants to build resilience to climate change.

Emma is an ecologist and project management professional, joining us after working as a consultant in the nature-based solutions space. In her previous role, she contributed to the design and implementation of international, multi-stakeholder sustainable land management projects, with a focus on agroforestry systems, grasslands, and croplands across the globe.

She holds a B.S. in Environmental Science from the University of Virginia and a Master in Environmental Science (MESc) from the Yale School of the Environment, where her thesis explored how bioclimatic variables shape leaf functional traits in lowland tropical rainforest trees.

If you’d like to learn more about the initiative and how to get involved, email egrover@nybg.org.

Learn More about the Nurturing Nature Initiative

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Nurturing Nature

Utilizing Plant-Based Solutions for Long-Term Climate Resilience

BGCI Technical Review: Scaling Ecosystem Restoration Through Botanical Garden Networks

The Unique Role of Plants and Botanical Gardens for Climate Resilience