Creating the next generation of green gardening gurus
The RHS is putting sustainability at the heart of its horticultural education, research and training programmes. Dr Suzanne Moss, Head of Education and Learning explains how
What does this target mean?
‘We want to support people to grow and garden sustainably. Sometimes people forget that gardening is a key part of how we can all live sustainable lives. Things are moving fast – we know it can be really difficult to keep up with developments, research and recommendations, and so we hope to be able to make the information as clear and accessible as possible.
‘The RHS has one of the broadest educational programmes out there – from primary to PhD level! So we’re including sustainability support through our programmes at all these levels – from sowing the seed with primary school pupils coming in through our school visits programmes, right up to training professional horticulturists on our School of Horticulture and Master of Horticulture programmes and PhD research.
‘Every one of these levels really matters, from engaging small children to helping professional gardeners to examine the way they work and become sustainability role models, inspiring the general public and future generations.’
Ultimately, this means that we can secure the progress of gardens and make them net contributors to a sustainable future
What is the RHS already doing to meet this target?
‘Our science teams work hard to understand how we can garden more sustainably and what the recommendations are for home and professional gardeners. The RHS runs programmes at many levels of education, from primary school to PhD.
‘Sustainability currently runs throughout most of our education offerings, meaning that the message is shared with about 50k learners every year through our formal learning programmes – and many more through our engagement programmes. We’ve recently updated our primary and secondary school learning resources to give an increased emphasis on sustainability.
‘For many years the sustainability message has been a strong thread in our School of Horticulture courses (which are delivered in the RHS gardens) and the Master of Horticulture programme at degree level. This gives us a pool of professional horticulturists who are able to help spread the word.’
What will the RHS do next to meet this target?
‘I hope that we can also look at new ways to bring more horticulturists into the industry to help us to garden sustainably and to spread the word. Entry routes such as work experience programmes will break down barriers to entry and will hopefully appeal to a more diverse range of people.
‘Broader and increased opportunities to train should help provide CPD [Continuing Professional Development] – this is really important so that even people who’ve made successful horticultural careers continue to keep on top of new developments and work in the most sustainable way.
‘We will also be looking at how we can make knowledge available to wider audiences in more accessible ways, and how we can make the process of learning more accessible. For example, by digitising our excellent library collections and making them available online. This not only helps environmental sustainability by removing the need to travel to use the materials, it also makes the resources more socially sustainable by providing access to all online, either at home or in their community, schools or local libraries.’
Why should gardeners care about this?
‘Because this issue affects us all, and it affects us now. Gardeners work within nature all the time and it is fascinating to learn more about how our actions can help to support wildlife, nature and the planet.
‘Ultimately, it means that we can secure the progress of gardens and make them net contributors to a sustainable future.’
