9 February 2004

Botanic Gardens blooming

Photo opportunity: 11am, Wednesday 11 February, University of Dundee Botanic Gardens, Riverside Drive, Dundee.

The University of Dundee's Botanic Gardens will host a reception on Wednesday (11 February) to celebrate the completion of a facelift and the appointment of a new Education Officer.

Friends of the Gardens, staff and 24 Primary 4 pupils from Pitlochry High School will take a tour of the new facilities with Curator Alasdair Hood and Education Officer Dr Neil Paterson.

The pupils are the first to visit the site since the re-development has been completed. They will take the Welcome to the Rain Forest Trail and the new Plants for People trail which emphasises the vital role plants play in the ecosystem and in human lives.

A more inviting entrance has been created leading from the car park to the interpretation centre and reception by resurfacing the driveway and laying slab pathways. The open interior of the building has been divided into separate units so there is more scope for events and visitor groups to use the facility.

The £65,000 improvements have created a much better gallery and interpretation space, a larger reception area and an intimate teaching/meeting space. The Garden's Ramp of Evolution mural has been located in this space as well.

Curator Alisdair Hood said, "The recent improvements will enable the staff here to welcome even more people to enjoy the Gardens and all that they have to offer. I'm especially pleased that we can now expand our educational programme so that children and adults can gain an understanding of the important role plants play in our everyday lives."

The Garden now has a classroom equipped with audio-visual aids that can comfortably host a group of 30 on an educational visit, and is a perfect venue for meetings and functions.

Dr Paterson outlined how the refurbishment will fit in with an extended educational remit.

He said, "We view education as the main purpose of the Garden and I am looking forward to helping deliver our education programme. We offer a range of curriculum-linked activities for primary and secondary schools - especially popular is our Welcome to the Rainforest Trail and we have a new Plants for People Trail.

For the adult public we have a new Continuing Education course titled How Does Your Garden Grow? - plant science for gardeners, and we offer guided walks for all sorts of organised groups - some of these are scheduled by the Garden and others are arranged on request."

There is also a new Guide to the Garden by Alasdair Hood and Dr Hugh Ingram (a former University of Dundee lecturer) and mini-guides by Neil Paterson.

Visits can be booked and programmes (off-the-shelf and tailor-made) can be discussed with the Education Officer. Call 01382 647190 or e-mail n.w.paterson@dundee.ac.uk

For more information on the services and facilities available at the Botanics - from school trips to flower hire - please visit the upgraded Botanic Gardens website at http://www.dundeebotanicgarden.co.uk

By Esther Black, Press Officer 01382 344768, out of hours: 07968298585, e.z.black@dundee.ac.uk