1. What do you regard as the main purpose(s) of the chapter’s horticulture program as a whole?
2. In the horticulture program, what should be the relative importance of fundraising, outreach, education and other functions?
3. What differences do you see in how Native Here Nursery and an All-California nursery (such as the Merritt growing grounds) meet the objectives you identified in your answer to the first question?
4. Regardless of any practical considerations (such as where the programs are situated and whether there are enough volunteers to get everything done), do you think it is preferable for the chapter to have both a “Native Here” and “All-California” horticultural program, or only one, or neither? Why?
5. How important do you think the chapter’s horticulture program is in developing public interest and awareness of native plants? How could it do better?
6. How does CNPS’ horticulture program fit into the overall native plant trade in the Bay Area; that is, do you see a proper role for non-profits versus for-profit nurseries? Do you see a unique role for CNPS among non-profit organizations (such as botanic gardens)?
7. How do you think the chapter could better meet its fundraising, educational, and outreach and other objectives in the horticulture program?
8. What do you like or admire most about Native Here and the All-California nursery at Merritt?
9. If you could change something in either nursery program, what would it be?
10. How important do you think it is for CNPS to reach out to landscaping professionals or horticulture students? How could that best be done?
11. How important is it for the horticulture program to reach out to people who aren’t already self-identified as conservationists or knowledgeable gardeners?
12. How important is it to ensure that the demand by the public for Native Here or All-California native plants as a whole be met? That is, how important is it that a potential customer can get what he/she (realistically) wants to buy?
13. Can you envision other outlets for chapter grown plants than a Merritt style plant sale or fall Plant Fair at Native Here? What would those be?
14. Do you think it is important for CNPS’ horticulture program to develop and disseminate information about techniques for growing and propagating native plants?
15. If the chapter could (magically) fund a full-time equivalent position (that is, 40 hours per week, although not necessarily carried out by the same person--in addition to the paid positions we currently have), what work would you like to see accomplished? Some choices might be—more conservation, nursery manager, administration/volunteer coordinator, fundraiser/executive director. You can allocate portions of the full-time equivalent hours into different functions.
16. Do you oppose or favor securing grant money to develop a new growing grounds site? To fund another position (see previous question) to further the goals of the chapter?
17. If you could commit, say, 4 hours per month to the chapter’s horticulture/horticultural education program, what would you enjoy doing?
18. How important do you think it is to have all of our horticulture growing grounds in the same location—for the time being; recognizing that in the future there may be further growth or need for multiple growing grounds?
19. Any other comments?