The Marimurtra Botanical Garden in Blanes was present this week at the XVIII Congress of the Ibero-Macaronesian Association of Botanical Gardens, held in Vitoria-Gasteiz. The meeting brought together representatives from major botanical gardens across the Iberian Peninsula and Macaronesia to analyze current challenges in plant conservation and biodiversity protection.
Under the theme dedicated to botanical collections and the conservation of natural heritage, the congress addressed key issues such as ecological restoration, the preservation of endangered species, germplasm banks, collection digitization, and strategies for scientific dissemination and citizen participation.
One of the shared messages during the sessions emphasized the need to strengthen the role of botanical gardens as active institutions in biodiversity conservation, research, and environmental awareness. Participants agreed that these facilities play an increasingly relevant role in the face of climate change effects and the loss of plant species.
Marimurtra's representation played a significant role in scientific communication. Anna Sans, the garden's Head of Scientific Outreach, presented a paper on the strategies botanical gardens employ to foster greater awareness among visitors about plants and their importance.
Concurrently, a meeting of the AIMJB's Working Group on Communication, Outreach, and Environmental Education, which includes Marimurtra representatives, was held to promote joint projects and enhance cooperation between institutions.
