230th anniversary of the Botanical Garden of Palermo - The scientific and museum dimension of botanical gardens: conservation, management and enhancement

230th anniversary of the Botanical Garden of Palermo

CONFERENCE

The scientific and museum dimension of Botanical Gardens: conservation, management and enhancement

The Botanical Garden of the University of Palermo celebrates an extraordinary milestone: 230 years since its inauguration to the public on 9 December 1795.

Today, the Garden is an open-air laboratory, a conservation centre and a veritable living museum, a place where science dialogues with the city, where research intertwines with dissemination, and where plant collections reveal the complexity and beauty of our natural heritage.

This conference aims to explore the dual identity of botanical gardens: on the one hand, their scientific function, consisting of taxonomic studies, ecological research, botanical exploration and conservation strategies; on the other hand, their museum dimension, which enhances their relationship with the public, environmental education, historical memory and their role as cultural institutions.

Reflecting on the role of botanical gardens is essential in order to consider their future and how they can contribute to species conservation and public awareness.

Main details of the programme:

Morning (conference):

09:30 Participant registration.

09:45 Institutional greetings

10:00 Introduction by the Director of the Palermo Botanical Garden, Rosario Schicchi.

From 10:30 Presentations by the Directors of the University Botanical Gardens of Turin, Padua, Rome, Palermo, Catania and Naples.

13:00 Light lunch at the Talea Cafeteria of the Botanical Garden.

Afternoon (visit and concert):

15:00 Visit to the Botanical Garden with Curator Manlio Speciale.

17:00 Piano Recital with Sofia Vasheruk, organised by Palermo Classica.

Conference participants will receive a traditional seed bag, made by the Botanical Garden's seed bang and used for seed storage. The bag will contain seeds of myrtle (Myrtus communis) or carob (Ceratonia siliqua).