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Plants for people

Plants provide food, medicine, clothes, shelter and the raw materials from which innumerable other products are made. Thus plants are an essential resource for human existence. Their very importance to human well-being is putting many species are at risk, as levels of consumption rise.

• BGCI is working to focus attention on the particular conservation needs of plants that support our wellbeing, especially medicinal plants, as well as supporting on-the ground conservation projects for specific species in countries such as India, Mexico and Argentina.

• Our plans for the future include the idea of linking community groups with botanic gardens in an ethical trading initiative and working with botanic gardens to promote the use of indigenous plants for healthy eating.

Plants for Life: Medicinal Plants Under Threat

BGCI has published the findings of a year-long investigation into the state of medicinal plants around the world.

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Botanic Gardens: Using Biodiversity to Improve Human Well-being

A report has been launched by BGCI on the role of botanic gardens in using plant diversity to improve human well-being. It features case studies from botanic gardens around the world and is available to all in PDF format.

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