Garden Receives Grant to Transform Visitor Experience

The North Carolina Botanical Garden (NCBG) has been awarded an Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Museums for America grant to transform how visitors experience and connect with the Garden. The project will bring a new system of wayfinding and interpretive signage to NCBG’s 12 acres of display gardens at its main site, helping visitors navigate the landscape while discovering the stories behind its plants, gardens, and conservation work. The grant builds on a 2022 IMLS award that enabled NCBG to develop a Comprehensive Interpretive Plan through extensive input from visitors, community stakeholders, and focus groups.

The result will be a more welcoming, intuitive, and engaging experience that helps visitors discover the connections between plants, people, and place, while highlighting the essential role of southeastern native plants in supporting biodiversity and healthy ecosystems. NCBG will evaluate the new signage through visitor surveys, observations, and structured feedback to ensure it meets the needs of the people we serve and strengthens their understanding of the Garden’s mission and work. Ultimately, the project will deepen visitors’ connection to the natural world, build greater appreciation for our region’s natural heritage, and inspire meaningful action to support biodiversity in their communities.

This project is supported with additional funds from individual donors. Find out more and donate >