BGANZ is delighted to announce a new partnership with the celebrated Longwood Gardens

Longwood Gardens, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, is one of the great gardens of the world, inspiring people through horticulture, education and the arts.

Their horticultural endeavours extend beyond the boundaries of the indoor and outdoor gardens to include the magnificent seasonal displays, thriving research, and crop production programs that serve to further their reputation as a pioneer among public gardens.

The partnership’s aim is to promote the 13-month Longwood Gardens Fellows Program, with only 5–6 of these prestigious Fellowships offered per year.

The Fellows Program develops tomorrow’s leaders, preparing them to successfully navigate pressing challenges, develop thoughtful strategies, and lead organisations that are equitable and sustainable.

During the fully funded, cohort-based residency in Philadelphia, Fellows delve into topical leadership-related issues, are immersed in a two-month domestic or international field placement, and lead an impactful project while learning from current thought leaders across a spectrum of public gardens professions.

Fellows will have ample opportunity to refine their leadership skills and are exposed to thought leaders and content—spanning topics from organisational behaviour and nonprofit management to strategic planning and volunteer management.

The Program’s aim is to create the next generation of senior public horticulture professionals. The ideal candidate is someone who has a bachelor’s degree and wants to serve—or is currently serving—in a leadership capacity within the public horticulture industry.

Successful applicants must be able to demonstrate a high potential for professional growth, be readily endorsed by other professionals in their field, and be proficient at reading and writing in English.

Several past and/or present BGANZ members are Longwood Fellows, including Barbara Wheeler, Curator at Auckland Botanic Gardens and Fran Jackson, formerly Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney. Clare Shearman, from Wellington Botanic Garden in New Zealand, is joining the cohort of 2024–25 Fellows.

Applications for the 2025–2026 cohort are open through June 1–July 31, 2024. Learn more and apply at https://longwoodgardens.org/fellows

This a wonderful opportunity for any BGANZ member to take the next step in their career.