Role of Botanic Gardens


BGCI: The global network Our work Our supporters and partners Join in Resource centre Publications Our newsletter Events BGCI Congresses Latest news News archives Tools Access and Benefit Sharing IPEN PlantSearch GardenSearch Fundraising links Tech tools Jobs Botanic garden information Definition The history of botanic gardens Botanical illustration Living collections Role of botanic gardens Commercial activity Seedbanks Botanic gardens and conservation Herbaria Information management systems Starting a botanic garden Promoting a botanic garden Education centre Climate change information centre PlantSearch GardenSearch Sign up to our newsletter:	Resource centre > Botanic garden information > Role of Botanic Gardens Role of Botanic Gardens Botanic gardens have had a changing role throughout history, beginning often as medicinal gardens for the study and cultivation of plants with healing properties and going through many phases including of course as pleasure gardens. But the fact that their collections are more or less scientific, means they are continually adapting and serving the needs of their societies in evolving ways as new challenges face those societies. In current times, they are becoming key players in both the conservation of plants and in the education of the people who come to see them. They are also starting to play a role in the mitigation of the effects of climate change, and could be absolutely vital to the survival of the planet as they are perfectly placed to help move species around and help ecosystems to adapt to new climates in different regions. The Role of Botanic Gardens in the Dissemination of Ethnobotanical Knowledge in Kenya Read more... The Potential Role of African Botanic Gardens in Environmental Awareness Programmes and the Need to be Involved Read more... Botanic Gardens: A Tribute to the Role of Beauty in Conservation of our Plant Heritage Read more... The Role of Botanic Gardens in Plant Conservation Botanic gardens play a key role in the conservation of the world's plant diversity and the education of people in environmental issues. BGCI facilitates this work through delivering publications, workshops, congresses, support and guidance. Together we are making plants, and thus life, more secure. Read more... Definition of a Botanic Garden Botanic gardens hold documented collections of living plants for the purposes of scientific research, conservation, public display and education. Exploring the world of plants and their relationships, they aim to protect and sustain biodiversity for human wellbeing and the planet. Read more... Find Out More Botanic Gardens Resources: Tangible and Intangible Aspects of Linking Biodiversity and Human Well-Being This article by Victor Kuzevanov and Svetlana Sizykh from Siberia explores how botanic gardens act as a focus for a wealth of important resources that are not always obvious to the casual observer. Intangible Benefits of Botanic Gardens This short article is useful for stimulating discussion about the intangible benefits of botanic gardens. The Weight of A Petal: The Value of Botanical Gardens By H. Bruce Rinker, this ActionBioscience.org article beautifully describes the importance of botanic gardens to plant conservation and thus, the whole of humanity and the world. Get your inspiration here!	Journal Articles Sustainable Tourism and Botanic Gardens – a Win-Win Situation? April 2004 A Vital Role for Botanic Garden Educators in Plant Conservation: The Global Strategy for Plant Conservation and You! April 2005 The Role of Russian Botanic Gardens in the Study and Development of Economic Plants February 2001 Role of St Petersburg Botanic Garden in the Establishment of the Lower Choper Nature Park July 2004 International Agenda for Botanic Gardens in Conservation The International Agenda is a global policy framework for botanic gardens worldwide to contribute to biodiversity conservation. Find out more about how botanic gardens are contributing here. "Education for Sustainable Development: Guidelines for Action in Botanic Gardens" BGCI has published Guidelines on Education for Sustainable Development. Suitable for those working in botanic gardens and other site-based education centres, it features tips and case studies from botanic gardens around the world. The Guidelines are freely available to all in PDF and printed format. Have your say! BGCI Membership Questionnaire 2008 BGCI is striving to improve the services that we provide to our members. We need your help in order to do this. Please take 5 minutes to submit our Membership Questionnaire.