For Immediate Release:
October 16, 2023
- Lauritzen
Gardens Receives Conservation Practitioner Accreditation from Botanic Gardens
Conservation International Ð
(OMAHA, NE): Lauritzen Gardens is excited to announce that, this month, the
organization has achieved accreditation as a Conservation Practitioner from
Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI), a global network of 800
botanic gardens located in 118 countries. Lauritzen Gardens is one of only 31
botanic gardens in the world to achieve this honor, which Òrecognizes
excellence in plant conservation policy, practice and education.Ó
The BGCI
Conservation Practitioner accreditation recognizes botanic
gardens with a conservation-oriented approach that work to support local, national or
global conservation goals. As part of the application process, Lauritzen GardensÕ staff worked
for over a year to document the public gardenÕs efforts in endangered plant
conservation, scientific research, collection curation, public engagement,
conservation horticulture, and sustainable practices.
ÒThis accreditation acknowledges the
hard work and commitment of the Lauritzen Gardens staff over many years, and
the importance of public gardens as centers of excellence in horticulture,
research and education to protect and promote biodiversity for the benefit of
future generations,Ó said Lauritzen Gardens executive director John Newman.
Established in November 2011, the conservation program at Lauritzen Gardens is
dedicated to the conservation of plants, the advancement of conservation
principles and the stewardship of the region's biological diversity. The garden was given status as the 38th
institutional conservation partner in the Center for Plant Conservation in March
of 2012 and has been a member of Botanic Gardens Conservation International
since 2012.
ÒLauritzen Gardens was created to
provide a place of beauty and enrichment for the community, but we also aspire
to address the environmental challenges of our times,Ó said Jim Locklear,
director of conservation for Lauritzen Gardens. ÒA lot of our conservation work
is behind-the-scenes, so itÕs wonderful to have this spotlight shine on our
efforts,Ó added Locklear.
# # #
Lauritzen Gardens
is
an urban oasis of beauty and tranquility. This 100-acre botanical garden,
comprised of more than 20 outdoor garden areas, as well as the indoor gardens
of the Marjorie K. Daugherty Conservatory, creates a living museum of unique
four-season plant displays, maintained to the highest standards consistent with
environmental stewardship. The garden aims to be a vibrant place for the
community to learn about and connect to the natural world and the organization
strives to impact every visitor through the natural beauty of its horticultural
displays, enriching educational programs, entertaining special events, or via
its research to conserve the endangered plants of the Great Plains.
Lauritzen Gardens is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every
day except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New YearÕs Day. The ConAgra CafŽ serves
lunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and JÕs Coffee is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
daily. Lauritzen Gardens is conveniently located in the beautiful riverfront
hills at First and Bancroft Streets and is close to OmahaÕs Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium and the Old Market. For more
information, please visit www.lauritzengardens.org or call
(402) 346-4002.
Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) is a membership organization, representing botanic gardens in more than 100 countries around the world. Their mission
is to mobilize botanic gardens and engage partners in securing plant diversity
for the well-being of people and the planet. Find out more about their important work and
about BGCI accredited gardens at www.bgci.org.
Lauritzen Gardens Contacts
Mia Jenkins
m.jenkins@omahabotanicalgardens.org
Director of Marketing
402.346.4002, ext. 205
316.655.3911 cell
Jim Locklear
j.locklear@omahabotanicalgardens.org
Director of Conservation
402.346.4002, ext. 207
