Collaborating on Plant Conservation Around the World

Botanic gardens are wonderfully vibrant places where we connect people to plants in myriad ways. Not only do gardens provide respite and beauty to our visitors, but they play an important role in conserving plants representing Earth’s ecosystems. In early August, about 750 botanic garden professionals from across the globe met in Singapore at the eighth Global Botanic Garden Congress hosted by Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) and the Singapore Botanic Gardens. Delegates gathered to network, share successes, gather feedback and discuss ideas on the role botanic gardens can play in implementing the Global Biodiversity Framework (the Framework). 

As a Patron Member Garden with BGCI, Denver Botanic Gardens holds a seat on the International Advisory Council. During the Council‘s annual meeting we shared updates from regional networks and discussed the upcoming Conference of the Parties 16 (COP16) to be held in Colombia this fall. (See my previous blog on my trip to COP15.) The group has crafted Plant Complementary Actions to outline the role botanic gardens can play in the Framework. Much of the work we do here at Denver Botanic Gardens, whether it be seed collection of rare species, documenting plant diversity in our foothills or helping to understand the best way to restore large areas of land, connects to the Framework. Any organization and any project working to understand and protect biodiversity can contribute to the success of the Framework.

While at the Congress I gave two presentations on our work at the Gardens sharing highlights of our urban projects and Chatfield Farms. I also co-organized a workshop dedicated to “Updating the North American Botanic Garden Strategy for Plant Conservation - Reestablishing the Network and Developing a Plan of Action.”

No trip to Singapore would be complete without a visit to their botanic gardens. I was lucky enough to visit Singapore Botanic Gardens multiple times. The large garden provides an oasis of green in the bustle of the city. Gardens By the Bay provides a contrast to the Singapore Botanic Gardens through its grandeur and engineering. The iconic supertrees are wonderful and intriguing. The less well-known conservatories are captivating for their size and construction alone. The Flower Dome hosts plants from around the world as well as frequently rotating displays. The climate indoor is Mediterranean and pleasant in the Singapore heat. The Cloud Forest boasts a five-story-tall waterfall immediately inside the entrance. It was such a unique experience to be surrounded by lush tropical foliage while meandering down the path from the top of the waterfall back to the dome floor.

Overall, it was an incredibly fruitful meeting and an experience I won’t forget.