The new year is a time for reflection and charting a course for the future. Over the past year, The Morton Arboretum reflected on the organization’s first century of impact and shaped its strategic vision and priorities.
Through the process, we engaged community partners, a global network of collaborators, volunteers, staff, and supporters to forge this vision together. Our conversations underscored the Arboretum’s deep commitment to the local community, depth of partnerships and expertise in science and conservation, and a clear and continuing focus on trees.
Looking to the future, we reaffirm and remain rooted in our mission to collect, study, display, and conserve trees and other plants from around the world to inspire learning, foster enjoyment, benefit communities, encourage action, and enhance the environment. This purpose has stood the test of time and is increasingly relevant as trees need people and people need trees more than ever before.
This is a pivotal moment for the Arboretum’s mission, as one in three trees worldwide are threatened with extinction, society faces the challenges brought on by climate destabilization, and we all rely on trees for a more resilient and sustainable future.
We will move forward to achieve our vision of a greener, healthier, more beautiful world where people and trees thrive together.
To achieve this vision, the Arboretum has identified three interlinked strategic priorities:
- People and communities are engaged and inspired.
- Knowledge is advanced through collaborative scientific inquiry.
- Trees are protected, preserved, and supported.
We’ll advance these priorities through new means of engagement, partnership and collaboration, conducting and sharing innovative research to advance tree science, and conserving and promoting resilient and adaptive trees and forests.
Together we can accelerate our impact. I remain inspired by your commitment and support of The Morton Arboretum’s enduring mission. In the year ahead, I invite you to engage with us as we share inspiring stories of advancing our mission, new vision, and strategic priorities.
With best wishes for the new year,
Jill Koski
President and CEO
