The University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo has reached a milestone: its Botanical Garden received official accreditation from Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI), the world’s largest plant conservation network. This acclaimed recognition underscores the garden’s exceptional contributions to conservation, research and education, solidifying its place among the most esteemed botanical collections globally.
The journey began with a single pine tree planted by Don Hemmes, a UH Hilo botany professor emeritus, to help a student grasp the tree’s structure. What started as a teaching aid evolved into a vibrant botanical haven, showcasing an impressive variety of plants, including cycads, palms and bromeliads from across the globe.
“This accreditation is a testament to the passion and dedication of our volunteers,” said Robert Talbert, a key contributor to the project who oversees volunteers at the garden. “It showcases the importance of protecting these extraordinary plants.”
Conservation champions
Volunteers have invested countless hours to bring this dream to fruition. One of their most significant achievements is the development of the garden’s cycad collection, which represents more than 33% of the world’s cycad species. Cycads are ancient palm-like plants. With nearly 70% of these species threatened with extinction, the collection serves as a critical resource for global conservation efforts. Volunteers meticulously identified and cataloged 582 cycad plants, linking the collection to BGCI’s global Plant Search database.
Achieving accreditation was no small feat. The process demanded a rigorous application, a strategic plan, and comprehensive documentation of the garden’s conservation efforts.
More help wanted
To volunteer or visit, contact Hemmes at hemmes@hawaii.edu or Talbert at rob@roberttalbert.com. More information can also be found on Facebook: Botanical Garden at University of Hawaii at Hilo.
