International registrations flow in for Global Botanic Gardens Congress

More than 200 people have registered to attend the 5th Global Botanic Gardens Congress being held in Dunedin in October.

The Congress, which is held every three years, is being held in conjunction with the inaugural International Council of Museums New Zealand conference and the 6th Biennial Botanic Gardens Australia & New Zealand Congress.

Event owner Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) chose Dunedin to host this prestigious event, to coincide with the Dunedin Botanic Garden's 150th anniversary.

Dunedin Botanic Garden Team Leader Alan Matchett says the Congress will be a wonderful opportunity to showcase the Garden and the city.

Dunedin City Council Project Manager Hamish Black says so far 238 registrations have been received from around the world. The largest numbers to date are from the United States (49), Australia (41) and New Zealand (37). There are also delegates from Europe and a range of other countries including China, Russia, Malaysia, Thailand and Lithuania.

Black says there are still sponsorship opportunities available for businesses and organisations to be involved in the Congress, which will be one of the largest conference events to be held in Dunedin. To date, just over $30,000 has been raised.

Black explained "we're looking for any contributions, big and small, from organisations or individuals. The money is going to help run the Congress and ensure we make this a special event for the delegates, the Botanic Garden and ultimately the city."

The Congress, which runs from 20th to 25th October, has the theme 'Celebrating success the influence and appeal of botanic gardens'.

It will include a wide-ranging programme of keynote addresses, symposia, workshops and field trips that cover the challenges and achievements of botanic gardens and partner organisations around the world. There will also be social functions, including an evening at Toit? Otago Settlers Museum.

The Congress sessions will be held at the refurbished Dunedin Centre

For more information on the Congress go to www.bgci.org/resources/news/1064/

Main image: Glasshouse at the Dunedin Botanic Garden.

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