Garden in the Woods

Purpose: Serving as Centers of Community Engagement The New England Wild Flower Society's (NEWFS) Native Plant Network Access Initiative will expand the Society's internal communication capacity significantly and become a resource that will provide NEWFS's target audience communities with much greater access to information, training, staff, and one another. The Society's goal is to better serve its community of volunteers and collaborators through improved use of technology and increased communication capacity. This grant will allow the society to expand its Web site with a secure, password-protected access area for volunteers and collaborators. This Native Plant Network will be a private computer network that allows users to share files and resources across distances. The initiative derives directly from the Society's long-range strategic plan, Leading Plant Conservation in the 21st Century: 2004-2010. One goal in this plan is that "NEWFS will enhance communication and information access by employing more interactive information technology and expanding its use as a communication tool, both internally and externally." In addition, the plan calls for increased opportunities for involvement, skill building, and communication for conservation volunteers.