Bernheim's
Mission
Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest connects
people and nature by:
- Providing ample opportunities for quiet, personal
experiences with the outdoors,
- Fostering curiosity and the love of learning with
imaginative, inter-disciplinary, outdoor-oriented horticultural and
natural history programs and exhibits, as well as nature-inspired art
and cultural activities, and by
- Increasing understanding of the natural world through
progressive, inter-disciplinary research in horticulture, natural areas
management, and habitat restoration.
The goal in all of Bernheim’s activities
is to help realize its mission of strengthening the bond between people
and nature by finding new ways to connect nature with people’s
everyday lives. We believe that if people recognize and benefit from
the many values found in nature, quality of life will be improved,
and thus they will be motivated to protect the natural world for both
its practical and its intrinsic value.
Bernheim’s
Organizational Values and Beliefs
Everything Bernheim does is based upon its mission. However,
mission statements are by necessity brief. The following values and beliefs
are an expansion of the thinking that formed Bernheim’s mission.
These values are what our vision for the future is based upon. On a day-to-day
basis they are a measure for selecting what Bernheim will, and will not
do as it determines its goals and objectives. Finally, they are a reminder
of how Bernheim will implement its programs and other activities. A copy
of these values and beliefs will be kept before each staff and board member
during staff and board meetings as a guide for decision making.
people and nature
All of Bernheim’s activities should be carried out
with the belief that people and nature can successfully coexist in this
world.
Bernheim’s goals and objectives should be based upon,
relevant to, and regularly updated by community needs that relate to Bernheim’s
mission and purpose.
Bernheim should actively solicit diverse, multi-cultural
and multi-generational audiences, staff and board.
peace and tranquillity
Among Bernheim’s most important assets are its peace,
tranquillity and beauty which must be preserved as part of any future change
or growth in programs and facilities.
It is important for Bernheim to provide opportunities for
quiet personal experiences with the outdoors so that people might discover
the intrinsic value of nature and find their own personal response to it.
programming
Programs and exhibits at Bernheim should incorporate direct
contact with the outdoors as much as possible.
Bernheim programming, exhibits, and garden design should
not only communicate accurate facts and concepts but, just as importantly,
they should foster the love of learning, curiosity about and exploration
of the outdoors, promote stewardship, show the value of biologic diversity.
Bernheim programs and exhibits should be participatory,
but must incorporate not only hands on, but also "minds on" educational
techniques, i.e. involving inquiry, critical thinking and problem solving.
In any participatory activity that Bernheim offers we must
recognize different learning styles so that no person ever feels pressured
or compelled to take part in any activity.
Bernheim should work cooperatively with other like-minded
institutions, schools and businesses, developing collaborative programs,
promotions and funding of projects.
All of Bernheim’s professional staff should be involved
in program development and presentation.
Bernheim’s arboretum and natural
areas
Bernheim’s arboretum, and its large, unbroken, relatively
untouched expanse of natural area have national significance and careful
and permanent protection of their natural integrity must be placed before
any activity that takes place there.
horticultural and natural
areas research, collections and interpretation of them
Research at Bernheim should promote healthy natural, managed
and created landscapes and foster restoration, stewardship, and biologic
diversity. It should take an inter-disciplinary approach, be conducted
at the cutting edge of technology; and demonstrate the value of biological
diversity to the human community by providing new and useful information
and products appropriate to industries, institutions and individuals.
Bernheim’s plant and other collections should focus
on concepts and ideas instead of individual specimens.
It is vital to communicate and interpret our plant collections
and the results of all research conducted at Bernheim in a way that is
relevant to and easily understood by the public.
advocacy
Bernheim’s environmental and other advocacy should
be logical, practical, and collaborative, presenting all sides of issues.
Bernheim should encourage people to make decisions for themselves and act
upon them.
quality staff and facilities
Bernheim facilities should be of the highest quality possible,
with careful attention to detail, and as simple, flexible and environmentally
friendly as achievable.
Bernheim’s professional and volunteer staff and board,
should be provided with the resources necessary to do their job, training
and guidelines, open communication, regular recognition, and the freedom
to dream, take responsibility for their work, take risks, set priorities,
and to take authority to implement their ideas.
planning and direction
Bernheim should take an interdisciplinary approach to what
it does, using horticulture, conservation and the arts in its programs,
research and other activities.
preserving historic perspective
It is vital to preserve Bernheim’s historic perspective
including the founding principles of Mr. Bernheim, the Olmsted design,
and carefully curated historic archives.
