Missouri Botanical Garden

Missouri Botanical Garden. The Missouri Botanical Garden is one of the oldest and largest botanical gardens in the United States, with a rich history dating back to 1859, founded by Henry Shaw, a wealthy St. Louis businessman and botany enthusiast, who was inspired by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and the New York Botanical Garden. The garden is a National Historic Landmark and is also recognized as a Center for Plant Conservation by the American Institute of Biological Sciences and the International Union for Conservation of Nature. It has collaborations with other institutions such as the New York Botanical Garden, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and the United States Botanic Garden.

● History

The garden's history began with Henry Shaw, who made his fortune in the St. Louis lumber and real estate industries, and was influenced by the London Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and the Paris Jardin des Plantes. Shaw was a member of the St. Louis Horticultural Society and the American Horticultural Society, and he worked with other notable figures such as Asa Gray, a Harvard University botany professor, and John Torrey, a Columbia University botany professor. The garden has undergone several expansions and renovations over the years, including the addition of the Climatron conservatory in 1960, designed by Hellmuth, Obata + Kassabaum and Synergetics Inc., and the Butterfly House in 2000, which was built in collaboration with the Saint Louis Zoo and the World Wildlife Fund.

● Gardens and Features

The garden features a variety of theme gardens, including the Japanese Garden, designed by Koichi Kawana, a Japanese American landscape architect, and the Sensory Garden, which was inspired by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Sensory Garden. The garden also has several conservatorys, including the Climatron and the Temperate House, which were designed by Donnell Center and McDonnell Douglas, and feature plants from around the world, including species from the Amazon rainforest, the Andes mountain range, and the Himalayan mountain range. Visitors can also explore the garden's trails, which take them through a variety of ecosystems, including forests, prairies, and wetlands, and offer views of the surrounding St. Louis landscape, including the Gateway Arch and the Mississippi River.

● Conservation Efforts

The garden is involved in a variety of conservation efforts, both locally and internationally, in collaboration with organizations such as the World Wildlife Fund, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The garden's Center for Plant Conservation is working to protect and preserve endangered plant species, including the Missouri bladderpod and the Eastern prairie fringed orchid, and is a member of the Plant Conservation Alliance, which includes institutions such as the New York Botanical Garden, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and the United States Botanic Garden. The garden is also involved in habitat restoration efforts, including the restoration of prairies and wetlands, and is working with other organizations such as the Nature Conservancy and the Audubon Society to protect and preserve natural areas.

● Research and Education

The garden has a strong commitment to research and education, and offers a variety of programs and courses for students and professionals, in collaboration with institutions such as Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis University, and the University of Missouri. The garden's research programs focus on topics such as plant systematics, ecology, and conservation biology, and are conducted in collaboration with other institutions such as the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, and the United States Department of Agriculture. The garden also offers internships and fellowships for students and young professionals, and is a member of the American Institute of Biological Sciences and the International Union of Biological Sciences.

● Collections and Exhibitions

The garden has an extensive collection of plant species, with over 45,000 accessions, including species from the Amazon rainforest, the Andes mountain range, and the Himalayan mountain range. The garden's herbarium is one of the largest in the world, with over 6.5 million specimens, and is a member of the Index Herbariorum, which includes institutions such as the New York Botanical Garden, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and the United States Botanic Garden. The garden also has a variety of exhibitions and displays, including the Flower Show, the Orchid Show, and the Garden of Glass, which features the work of Dale Chihuly, a renowned American glass artist, and is inspired by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Glasshouse. The garden's library is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world, with over 100,000 volumes, and is a member of the Council on Botanical and Horticultural Libraries, which includes institutions such as the New York Botanical Garden, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and the United States Botanic Garden. Category:Botanical gardens in the United States