Botanical gardens from Spain and Macaronesia reaffirm their key role in addressing the climate crisis and biodiversity loss
This week, the heads of Scientific Outreach and Communication at the Marimurtra Botanical Garden took part in the 18th Congress of the Ibero-Macaronesian Association of Botanical Gardens (AIMJB), held in Vitoria-Gasteiz. The event brought together representatives from the leading botanical gardens of the Iberian Peninsula and Macaronesia to address current challenges in plant conservation and define strategies to strengthen their role as agents of environmental and social transformation.
Under the theme “Botanical Collections, Management and Conservation of Natural Heritage and Biodiversity”, the congress has established itself as the main coordination forum for botanical gardens in the Ibero-Macaronesian region, an area characterized by high plant diversity and numerous endemic species.
Throughout the congress, participants shared experiences and projects related to flora conservation, ecological restoration, germplasm banks, collection digitization, scientific outreach and citizen science.
One of the key discussions was led by Jaime Güemes, President of the AIMJB and Director of the Botanical Garden of the University of Valencia, who advocated strengthening the role of botanical gardens as institutions of active conservation. In this context, their contribution to species preservation, research and public awareness of biodiversity loss was highlighted.
The sessions also demonstrated that botanical gardens are now centres for research, conservation and knowledge transfer, capable of preserving plant genetic heritage and promoting recovery programmes for threatened species.
Urban biodiversity and public awareness
Another major topic addressed during the congress was urban biodiversity. Several projects showcased how botanical gardens contribute to increasing native flora in cities, supporting pollinators and improving the resilience of urban green spaces.
Participants also highlighted the value of these initiatives in improving environmental quality and human well-being, while raising public awareness about the importance of biodiversity. Particular emphasis was placed on environmental education and scientific outreach as essential tools for bringing botanical knowledge closer to society.
Marimurtra’s contribution
Marimurtra’s Head of Scientific Outreach, Anna Sans, presented the paper “The Role of Botanical Gardens in Promoting Plant Awareness Among Visitors. Communication and Scientific Outreach Strategies”, where she shared the garden’s work in the fields of communication and scientific outreach.
At the same time, the meeting of the AIMJB Working Group on Communication, Outreach and Environmental Education was held. The group is co-led by representatives from Marimurtra, the Botanical Garden of the University of Valencia and the Botanical Garden of Castilla-La Mancha, with the aim of coordinating projects and strengthening cooperation among institutions.
Participation in the congress made it possible to establish new synergies and advance collaborative projects in conservation, research, outreach and environmental education.
The congress once again highlighted that cooperation among botanical gardens is essential to address current challenges and strengthen their role as key actors in the conservation of plant heritage and the generation of scientific knowledge.
