Lauritzen Gardens is
working to conserve the endangered plants of the Great Plains and to advance
understanding and stewardship of the region's biological diversity.
·
Plants are the foundation of life on Earth. People depend on plants for food, shelter,
health, and happiness.
·
Globally and locally, as many as 100,000 species of plants are
in danger of becoming extinct. If we
lose these plants, we lose the special role they play in the web of life.
·
Some plants are imperiled because their habitat (the place where
they grow) has been destroyed or degraded.
Others are naturally rare because they grow in a very unique and limited
habitat.
·
Botanical gardens use horticulture—the science and art of
growing plants—to help conserve endangered plants.
A botanical garden contributes to community life in many
ways—providing experiences of beauty, connection with nature, and opportunities
for education. Through the conservation program of Lauritzen Gardens, we are
also addressing the environmental challenges of our times. We are engaged in
conservation activities on local, regional, and national fronts.
Woodland Stewardship
Along with our formal garden areas, Lauritzen Gardens features a
10-acre stand of oak
woodland. While this beautiful woodland is a naturally occurring plant
community, its ongoing health is dependent upon human management and
stewardship, made even more challenging within an urban context. Lauritzen
Gardens is a partner in the Nebraska Oak Woodland Alliance, a coalition
dedicated to the restoration and management of the state's oak woodlands.
Biodiversity Inventory
With a wealth of garden plantings,
landscape features, and natural areas, Lauritzen Gardens provides habitat for a
variety of wildlife, and we continue to inventory and document the biological
diversity of the gardens. The bird life of Lauritzen Gardens is particularly
rich, enhanced by our location along the Missouri River, which many species
follow on their seasonal migrations. More than 100 species of birds have been
observed in the garden.
Lauritzen Gardens is a proud member and partner of national and
international organizations dedicated to plant research and conservation.
