From April 7 to 11, 2025, the 5th Mediterranean Plant Conservation Week (5MPCW) took place in Limassol (Cyprus), under the theme “Building alliances for plant diversity conservation in the Mediterranean”. The event began with the general assembly of GENMEDA, a Mediterranean plant conservation network, of which the Marimurtra Botanical Garden is a member and was participating for the first time.
The programme included thematic sessions on in situ and ex situ conservation, habitat management, civil society involvement, climate crisis, and environmental education, along with workshops, plenary talks, and a field trip to the Troodos National Park. You can consult the full programme here.
Marimurtra was represented by two key members of the team:
Conference on the Flora of Menorca
Pere Fraga, botanical curator at the Garden, gave a presentation on the conservation of flora and forests of Menorca, sharing knowledge and experiences on the management of endemic species and the protection of natural habitats on this Balearic island. His talk highlighted the importance of scientific research for preserving Mediterranean biodiversity.
Scientific posters from Marimurtra
Two scientific posters linked to the work carried out at the Garden were also presented:
Anna Sans, Head of Outreach at the Garden, presented the work “Exploring the role of botanical gardens in promoting plant awareness: insights from Marimurtra Botanical Garden.” The poster explores how botanical gardens can serve as key spaces to promote plant awareness, based on experiences and studies conducted at Marimurtra. Through activities tailored to schools, families, children’s groups, and individual visitors, the Garden fosters interest in plants, sparks scientific vocations, and encourages emotional connections with the plant world.
Pere Fraga also presented a poster on the identification, characterization, and management of invasive plant species at the Marimurtra Botanical Garden. The work provides an in-depth analysis of the invasive alien species detected in the Garden, their behavior and ecological impact, and the control strategies applied to preserve the site’s botanical and landscape values.
Marimurtra’s participation in this international meeting reflects the Garden’s ongoing commitment to biodiversity conservation, scientific research, and environmental outreach. In a world increasingly disconnected from the plant world, the role of botanical gardens is more relevant than ever.
