Botanic gardens are well set up as ‘outdoor classrooms’ to offer safe and accessible nature based learning experiences to a wide variety of ages and abilities. Some botanic gardens have well developed and staffed education programs. Many regional and smaller botanic gardens rely on volunteers, sometimes with the help of a part-time Council employed education officer, to assist with self-guided or volunteer guided learning experiences. Teachers are busy people and usually look out for classroom ready and curriculum linked programs and resources which offer quality nature based learning.

How might we better share and adapt ‘classroom ready’ and 'teacher friendly' resources across botanic gardens which also informs the delivery of quality educational experiences for all ages? How can staff and volunteers collaborate in efficient ways across botanic gardens, and especially with regional gardens, to adapt well proven learning resources for local use?

Using case studies of online materials, and regionally developed teachers kits, this presentation will canvass ideas for fostering more collaboration across botanic gardens from the perspective of volunteers working in regional botanic gardens.