The award was presented to CUBG’s Director, Beverley Glover at the launch of our first ever Living Collections Strategy.
BGCI recently launched a series of Accreditation Schemes for botanic gardens as a way to certify the quality of the institutions, and also to guide botanical institutions that would like to attain international standards. The schemes also recognise achievements in plant science, conservation, horticulture and public education.
The award was presented by Paul Smith, BGCI’s Secretary General and keynote speaker at the Living Collections launch. Paul said : “The BGCI Botanic Garden Accreditation assesses and places a high value on the unique skills, knowledge and data in botanic gardens. It also aims to raise awareness and recognition of the activities that botanic gardens do exceptionally well to policymakers and funders and requires botanic gardens to meet internationally recognised standards.”
“Cambridge University Botanic Garden is a world leader in some areas of its work, including management of its living collections and its support for world class research. BGCI is delighted to make this award to CUBG, which joins a distinguished list of the world’s top gardens that have received this recognition.”
Paul continued: “Accreditation can result in tangible benefits for participating gardens – such as international recognition, publicity and funding – and acts as a motivator for botanic garden leadership.”
“Cambridge University Botanic Garden is a world leader in some areas of its work, including management of its living collections and its support for world class research. BGCI is delighted to make this award to CUBG, which joins a distinguished list of the world’s top gardens that have received this recognition.”
Professor Glover said: “We’re delighted to receive this award which reflects the seriousness with which we take our role in conservation, alongside plant science research and learning. The award highlights the importance of tackling biodiversity loss through many different approaches.”
To obtain the Accreditation, CUBG was assessed by the BGCI on a range of criteria encompassing leadership, collections management, horticulture, public education, community/cultural activities, conservation actions, scientific research, staff, networking and sustainability.
CUBG Curator, Dr Sam Brockington explained: “CUBG staff have worked for many years to create a world-class university botanic garden and meet the many criteria required by the BGCI accreditation scheme. Our Assistant Curator, Angela Cano, compiled a comprehensive dossier of our work to apply to the BGCI Botanic Garden Accreditation and we’re delighted now to hold the award.”
Other botanic gardens who hold BGCI Botanic Garden Accreditation award include:
- Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens, USA
- National Botanic Garden of Wales, United Kingdom
- Pha Tad Ke Botanical Garden, Laos
- Wollongong Botanic Garden, Australia
- Auckland Botanic Garden, New Zealand
- Gothenburg Botanic Garden, Sweden
- Jardin Botanico Carlos, Thays, Argentina
- National Tropical Botanical Garden, USA
- Stellenbosch University Botanic Garden, South Africa
About BGCI:
BGCI was established in 1987 to mobilise botanic gardens and engage partners in securing plant diversity for the well-being of people and the planet. BGCI now has 508 members in 92 countries.
