Commonwealth and the Tourism Company provided an interpretive plan and a business plan for development of the Aboriginal Heritage Garden. The client, Eel River Bar First Nation of northeastern New Brunswick, was anxious to revive traditional knowledge and use of plants, in a manner that would attract visitors and generate revenue.
Studies have shown that there is considerable potential for a tourism attraction development based on plant use and propagation, with a rich variety of interpretive themes and storylines created to appeal to a broad range of visitors. Frequent consultation was required with the Band and a steering committee made up of the Bank, funding partners, and research organizations, including the Smithsonion Institute, with which the Garden had signed a memoranda of understanding. The project was enthusiastically received by the Band and the partners as a basis to proceed into the next development phase.