The University of Hawaii at Hilo has announced that its Botanical Garden has received official accreditation from Botanic Gardens Conservation International, the largest plant conservation network worldwide, which is dedicated to preventing plant extinctions and promoting sustainability through collaboration with botanical gardens.
This recognition highlights the garden’s outstanding commitment to conservation, research and education, according to a UH-Hilo press release.
The garden began as a small project when Don Hemmes, a UH-Hilo botany professor, planted a pine tree to help a student understand its structure. Over time, the effort grew into a diverse garden showcasing cycads from around the world, palms and bromeliads.
Volunteers have been the driving force behind the garden’s success, dedicating countless hours to planting, maintaining and enhancing this extraordinary collection.
A major achievement is the garden’s cycad collection, which includes over 33% of the world’s cycad species.
With 70% of cycad species threatened with extinction, this collection plays a vital role in global conservation. Volunteers meticulously identified and cataloged all 582 cycad plants, tagged them with accession labels, and linked the collection to BGCI’s global Plant Search database.
Accreditation required a detailed application, a strategic plan and documentation of conservation efforts. Two years of dedicated volunteer work culminated in this prestigious recognition, solidifying the garden’s role in international plant conservation.
“This accreditation is a testament to the passion and dedication of our volunteers,” Robert Talbert, a key contributor to the project, said in the press release. “It showcases the importance of protecting these extraordinary plants.”
The Botanical Garden welcomes visitors and new volunteers to join its mission. Visit the garden on Google Maps and Facebook under “Botanical Garden at University of Hawaii-Hilo.”
For personalized tours or more information, contact hemmes@hawaii.edu or rob@roberttalbert.com.