When many are experiencing the impact of human disconnect with the natural environment, botanic gardens are well-positioned to contribute to reconnection through sustainable education. Globally, whilst many botanic gardens highlight the impact of human endeavours on the natural world, we question their use of Computer-Mediated Communications (CMC) to enhance knowledge sharing and encourage pro-sustainability actions across communities. Through the lens of Social Leadership and undertaking a mixed methods study, we explore the potential for one UK-based Botanic Garden contained within a larger organisation to educate for sustainability and connect with the broader community through CMC. The findings highlight the desire of the staff and volunteers to increase usage, enhance community engagement, and disseminate information. Findings also indicate a need for greater autonomy and an intrapreneurial mindset to amplify knowledge and idea propagation and enhance action across diverse networks that are not predesigned or imposed by organisational constructs.

Marie Beresford-Dey, Andrea Cooper, Mike Crabb, Kristi Herd, Lorraine Syme-Smith