By S. Browne. Updated 12:59 p.m., Friday, August 29, 2025, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).
The National Parks, Rivers and Beaches Authority (NPRBA) welcomed a visiting delegation from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (UK), on Wednesday, August 28, 2025, as part of ongoing efforts to advance heritage preservation, capacity building, and international cooperation in botanical science.
This initiative forms part of the Authority’s year-round agenda to celebrate the 260th anniversary of the Botanical Garden of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – the oldest in the Western Hemisphere.
During the visit, the delegation and NPRBA officials will pay courtesy calls on Dame Susan Dougan, Governor-General of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, as well as Cabinet Ministers and the team at the Forestry Department. Additionally, the team is expected to conduct several field visits in the Grenadines, the La Soufrière trail, and the Montreal Gardens.
Workshops will commence on September 1, 2025, with participants benefitting from sessions on cross-pollination techniques, propagation and germination, aquatics, lawn care in theory and practice, plant health, pest management, and garden management. This initiative underscores the Government’s commitment to strengthening local expertise in biodiversity conservation and sustainable garden practices.
On Tuesday, September 9, 2025, tour guides will take part in a specialised Tour Guide Training Workshop facilitated by Dr Christina Welch of the University of Winchester. The session, hosted at the Curator’s House, will focus on the history of the St Vincent Botanical Garden, the legacy of its curators, and its unique plant species. The workshop aims to enhance visitor engagement and ensure that tour guides are well-equipped to share the garden’s historical and cultural significance.
The calendar of activities will culminate with a symposium on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, under the theme “Our Garden, Our Heritage, 260 Years Strong.” The symposium will bring together cultural heritage specialists, environmentalists, educators, and policymakers to reflect on the Botanical Garden’s legacy and chart its future in national development.
Speaking at the welcome ceremony at Argyle International Airport on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, Permanent Secretary (Ag.) in the Ministry of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Sustainable Development and Culture, Dr Tamira Browne, warmly welcomed the team to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and highlighted the Government’s commitment to preserving natural heritage while building the skills of the people.
Dr Browne noted: “The Botanical Garden is not just a landmark of history, but a living classroom for heritage, science, sustainable development, and tourism. Through training, international collaboration, and community engagement, we are ensuring that its legacy thrives for generations to come.”
The Ministry extended appreciation to the NPRBA, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, the University of Winchester, and all partners and stakeholders for their invaluable contributions to the success of these initiatives.
The information was sourced from a press release sent to us by the Agency for Public Information.
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