Chicago Botanic Garden

for immediate release

Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI)
Moves US Headquarters To Chicago Botanic Garden

 

Media Only:
Gloria Ciaccio
(847)-835-6819, direct
gciaccio@chicagobotanic.org

GLENCOE, Ill. (Nov. 7, 2007) — Botanic Gardens Conservation International, (BGCI) a global conservation organization that networks 800 botanic gardens in 120 countries around the world, has named the Chicago Botanic Garden as its United States headquarters. Effective November 1st, the Chicago Botanic Garden will host the office of BGCI in the US and play a key role in helping coordinate the network’s regional conservation programs. This will build on The Chicago Botanic Garden’s well established association with the American Public Garden Association, the Center for Plant Conservation and the Plant Conservation Alliance, and plant conservation networks in Canada and Mexico.

“BGCI’s mission is to mobilize and engage botanic gardens in securing plant diversity for the well-being of people and the planet. The Chicago Botanic Garden has never been in a better position to take on this leadership role in the United States”, said Dr. Kayri Havens, Director of Plant Science and Conservation.

In the past ten years, the Chicago Botanic Garden’s plant conservation and science efforts have grown exponentially, from two scientists to a staff of 22 scientists and hundreds of graduate students, interns and volunteers.

Programs have local, regional and global impact, as scientists study threats to native plants, seek to preserve endangered species, examine the impact of air pollution to soil and native plants, and are collecting to contribute 30 million tall grass prairie seeds to the international Millennium Seed Banking initiative by 2010.

In the next five years, the Botanic Gardens Conservation International will take on three initiatives:

  • Lead global efforts to reverse the impending extinction crisis to secure world-wide plant diversity.
  • Enable people and botanic gardens to strengthen as centers of expertise, horticultural knowledge and environmental education.
  • Maintain its position as the leading advocate for plant conservation.

“The opening of our US headquarters at the Chicago Botanic Garden marks an exciting milestone in BGCI’s development. Combining our global reach with the Garden’s incomparable regional expertise is undoubtedly one of our most exciting partnerships, creating a major force of plant conservation in the diverse, varied continent,” said Sara Oldfield, Secretary General of the BGCI.

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Editors, please note: The Chicago Botanic Garden's newsroom is online at www.chicagobotanic.org/pr. For digital images, contact Melissa Schuler at (847) 835-6829 or at mschuler@chicagobotanic.org.

The Chicago Botanic Garden, one of the green treasures of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, is a 385-acre living plant museum featuring 23 distinct display gardens surrounded by lakes, as well as a prairie and woodlands. With events, programs and activities for all ages, the Garden is open every day of the year, except Dec. 25. Admission is free; select event fees apply. Parking is $15; free for members. On Tuesdays, senior citizens age 62 and older pay just $7 for parking. The Garden is located at 1000 Lake Cook Road in Glencoe, Ill. Visit www.chicagobotanic.org, or call (847) 835-5440 for seasonal hours, images of the Garden and commuter transportation information.

The Chicago Botanic Garden is managed by the Chicago Horticultural Society. It opened to the public in 1972 and is home to the Joseph Regenstein, Jr. School of the Chicago Botanic Garden, offering a broad array of adult classes in plant science, landscape design and gardening arts. Through the Division of Plant Science and Conservation, Garden scientists work on plant conservation, research and environmental initiatives that have global impact. The Center for Teaching and Learning brings the wonder of nature and plants to children, teens and teachers. The Garden's Horticultural Therapy and Community Gardening programs provide nationally recognized community outreach and service programs. The Garden is also breaking new ground in urban horticulture and jobs training through a 15-acre project in the North Lawndale neighborhood of Chicago called Windy City Harvest. The Chicago Botanic Garden is accredited by the American Association of Museums and is a member of the American Public Gardens Association (APGA). In 2006, the Chicago Botanic Garden received the Award for Garden Excellence, given yearly by the APGA and Horticulture magazine to a public garden that exemplifies the highest standards of horticultural practices and has shown a commitment to supporting and demonstrating best gardening practices.