THE ROLE OF BOTANIC GARDENS FROM THE PAST TO THE PRESENT: SCIENCE AND LEAR NING

Abstract

Botanic gardens seek to respond to the issue of our time. Today, there is a focus on plant conservation
– naturally, given the lack of other effort to document rapidly declining biodiversity – but perhaps there is an
equally, or more important agenda for our public gardens in engaging society with the challenge of climate
change: adaptation and mitigation.
We live in an environment of change: coping with extremes of climate, in which water (in particular)
is increasing in value. But social change is another dominating factor: migration, social diversity, and disen
gagement from experience of the natural world.
The International agenda for Botanic Gardens in Conservation (2000) sets out a mission that may be
summarised as stemming the loss of plant species, and preventing the further degradation of the world’s na
tural environment. Climate change must bring a fresh sense of urgency to this agenda – but couched more in
terms of creating and managing the environment that we need for survival.
Botanic gardens cannot work alone in this mission. The idea of a botanic garden as a repository is only
effective if its plant material, and its ideas, are exchanged freely: links with the horticultural trade, with gar
deners, can be at the forefront of this. The RHS, with its roots in amateur and trade horticulture, is well pla
ced to take a lead.