2 September 2008

University and College to provide joint education programme at Botanic Garden

Photo opportunity: 10am, Wednesday 3rd September
Botanic Garden
Staff from both organisations present alongside a visiting school group

The University Of Dundee and Dundee College are pleased to announce that they have reached a partnership agreement to continue the educational programme at the Botanic Garden.

The educational programme works with schools and other groups, making use of the Garden as a teaching facility. In the last year around 1600 schoolchildren from across Dundee, Perth & Kinross, Angus and Fife have taken part in a range of activities including the popular Rainforest Trail.

Under the terms of the partnership agreement, Dundee College will fund the Education Officer post, held by Dr Neil Paterson, for the next year.

Garden Curator Alasdair Hood said he was delighted the University and the College had found an approach which would be to the benefit of all.

'I feel this partnership can only benefit both parties, and more importantly it is very good news for the Garden and our activities here,' said Alasdair. 'Dundee College has a strong horticultural presence in the City of Dundee and the use of the Garden will help enhance its own teaching programmes.'

Grant Ritchie, Assistant Principal of Dundee College, said, 'This is an exciting partnership for the College, and we look forward to developing co-operation with the Garden and the University.'

Groups wishing to visit the Garden and engage in the education programme should contact Dr Paterson on 01382 381192 or e-mail n.w.paterson@dundee.ac.uk.

Tailor-made packages can be provided for varying sizes of groups and ages.

It has been a busy summer at the Botanic Garden, with plenty of visitors to the gardens, the art gallery and the coffee shop, and it has again proved popular as a venue for weddings and other functions.

For media enquiries contact:
Roddy Isles
Head, Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384910
E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk