National Tropical Botanical Garden

National Tropical Botanical Garden is a nonprofit institution dedicated to the conservation and study of tropical plants, located on the island of Kauai, Hawaii, United States. The garden is situated near the town of Kalaheo and is surrounded by the Waimea Canyon State Park and the Na Pali Coast State Wilderness Park. The garden's mission is to preserve and protect the world's tropical plants, and to promote their use for the well-being of people and the planet, in collaboration with organizations such as the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and the New York Botanical Garden. The garden is also a member of the American Public Gardens Association and the International Plant Propagators' Society.

Introduction

The National Tropical Botanical Garden is one of the most diverse and unique botanical gardens in the world, with a collection of over 2,000 species of plants, including palm trees, bromeliads, and orchids. The garden is home to several Allerton Gardens, which were created by Robert Allerton and John Gregg Allerton, and feature a variety of plants and trees, including Banyan trees and Moreton Bay figs. The garden also has a strong partnership with the University of Hawaii at Manoa and the Hawaii Department of Agriculture, and works closely with other organizations, such as the World Wildlife Fund and the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Visitors to the garden can explore the various trails and gardens, including the Children's Garden, which features a variety of interactive exhibits and activities, and the Sculpture Garden, which showcases the work of artists such as Henry Moore and Auguste Rodin.

History

The National Tropical Botanical Garden was founded in 1964 by David Fairchild and Marjory Stoneman Douglas, with the goal of creating a botanical garden that would showcase the diversity of tropical plants from around the world. The garden's first director was Harold St. John, who played a key role in the development of the garden and its collections, and worked closely with other botanists, such as Elmer Drew Merrill and William Ralph Maxon. Over the years, the garden has expanded to include several new gardens and facilities, including the McBryde Garden, which was established in 1970 and features a variety of plants from the Pacific Islands, including Tahiti and Fiji. The garden has also established partnerships with other organizations, such as the National Park Service and the United States Department of Agriculture, and has worked with notable botanists, such as Peter Raven and Daniel H. Janzen.

Gardens and Collections

The National Tropical Botanical Garden features a variety of gardens and collections, including the McBryde Garden, the Allerton Garden, and the Limahuli Garden and Preserve. The garden's collections include a wide range of plants, including palm trees, bromeliads, and orchids, as well as a variety of trees, such as Banyan trees and Moreton Bay figs. The garden also has a large collection of Hawaiian native plants, including Ma'o hau hele and Hala trees, and works closely with other organizations, such as the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources and the Nature Conservancy. Visitors to the garden can explore the various trails and gardens, and learn about the different plants and their uses, through exhibits and activities, such as the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden and the Kauai Museum.

Conservation Efforts

The National Tropical Botanical Garden is involved in a variety of conservation efforts, both locally and internationally, in partnership with organizations such as the World Wildlife Fund and the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The garden works to protect and preserve tropical plants and ecosystems, and to promote their use for the well-being of people and the planet, through programs such as the Hawaii Conservation Alliance and the Tropical Botanical Garden Conservation Program. The garden also has a strong focus on ex situ conservation, and works to conserve and propagate rare and endangered plants, such as the Silversword plant and the Ma'o hau hele, in collaboration with other organizations, such as the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and the New York Botanical Garden. The garden's conservation efforts are supported by a variety of organizations, including the National Science Foundation and the United States Department of Agriculture.

Education and Research

The National Tropical Botanical Garden offers a variety of educational programs and activities, including guided tours, workshops, and classes, in partnership with organizations such as the University of Hawaii at Manoa and the Hawaii Department of Education. The garden also has a strong research program, and works with scientists and researchers from around the world to study and conserve tropical plants, through programs such as the Tropical Botanical Garden Research Program and the Hawaii Botanical Garden Research Institute. The garden's research focuses on a variety of areas, including plant systematics, ecology, and conservation biology, and has resulted in the publication of numerous papers and articles, in journals such as Nature and Science. The garden also offers internships and fellowships to students and researchers, and works closely with other organizations, such as the National Academy of Sciences and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.