Botanic Gardens in the UN Decade of Ecosystem Restoration

IMPORTANT: NEW DATES! 

Dear Members
of the European Botanic Gardens Community,

On behalf of the Italian Botanic Society, I am delighted to inform you that the 10th European Botanic Gardens Congress (Eurogard10) will be hosted at the Botanic Garden of Rome from the 22nd to the 26th of September, 2025. The venue, located at the Headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), is situated near the iconic Roman Forum and the Colosseum in the historic centre of the Eternal City.

Like the distinguished historical legacy of Rome, the Botanic Gardens of Europe are deeply rooted in a long-standing tradition of knowledge and scientific investigation. This rich heritage positions botanic gardens as critical contributors to the ambitious global goals of the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021–2030) and key European strategies such as the Nature Restoration Regulation.

The ecological restoration of degraded ecosystems, the central theme of Eurogard10, represents a vital expansion of the traditional roles of botanic gardens, such as plant collection and biodiversity conservation, taxonomy and plant classification, botanical research, horticulture, garden management, public engagement, and scientific dissemination. By integrating restoration efforts into these activities, botanic gardens can actively contribute to a sustainable and thriving future, fostering collaborations and partnerships to address today’s pressing environmental challenges.

Building on the solid tradition of past Eurogard congresses, the Organising Committee is fully committed to delivering a congress that will be both impactful and inspiring for all participants.

We look forward to welcoming you to Rome and sharing this exceptional experience with you.

Warm regards,
Prof. Fabio Attorre

Director Botanic Garden of Rome

Dear Colleagues,

it gives me great pleasure to welcome you to the 10th European Botanic Garden Congress to be held from the 22nd to the 26th of September, 2025 in Rome.

Hosted by the Italian Botanic Network and the Botanic Garden of Rome, it is fitting that Eurogard10 will take place in Rome, a city rich in botanical history but also at the forefront of meeting the very modern challenges of climate change and loss of biodiversity. Key themes that will be covered at the conference include: Plant conservation and ecological restoration; Policies and standards (including the new Global Biodiversity Framework and Global Strategy for Plant Conservation actions); Networking, society, public engagement and education, and; Science, sustainability and new technologies.

Eurogard meetings are an opportunity to share knowledge, learn from each other and – perhaps most importantly of all – make new friends and build new partnerships. The botanic garden community is extraordinarily good at working collaboratively and in partnership, which is essential because there is so much to do! Whether you are interested in the conservation of biodiversity, specialist horticulture, public engagement, research or botanic garden management, there will be plenty to keep you interested and occupied. Please block the time out in your calendars now. The Eternal City in autumn – what could be better than that!?

Dr Paul Smith

BGCI Secretary General