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Africa

BGCI has run an Africa Programme for many years and we have staff based in Kenya.  Our focus has been on strengthening botanic gardens across this incredible continent: rich and diverse of habitat, species and cultures.

In Uganda and Madagascar the harvesting and processing of wild plants for food, medicine and building materials is critical to the survival of millions of people - but the wild plant resource is rapidly diminishing and there is an urgent need for the implementation of effective sustainable harvest methods. In these countries, supported by SwedBio, we are working with local communities to undertake conservation assessments on wild plant species that are used for food and medicine and highlight the Important Plant Areas (IPAs) in which they occur.

This work is implemented in collaboration with IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature and was presented on the occasion of the 4th IUCN World Conservation Congress in Barcelona, Spain, 5-14 October 2008. The outcomes of the workshop 'Wild plants for food and medicine – assessing and conserving plants for people’ can be accessed here.

Read more about our work in Madagascar and Uganda.

Our East Africa Biodiversity Infomatics project, funded by the JRS Biodiversity Foundation, is increasing regional knowledge and information on plant biodiversity for three types of primary data - taxonomy, biodiversity status and usage. Find out more about this project.

This crucial baseline information underpins effective decision making for conservation and sustainable use programmes. The project is being used to define national and regional conservation needs and priorities and inform technical training and south to south collaboration.

Aloe species are widely used medicinally across Africa.  Yet many of these key plants are threatened with extinction from over-harvesting and habitat loss.  We are developing a project to address the conservation and livelihood issues that surround Aloes. Get in touch with us if you would like further information or can support this work.

Education is a key aspect of our Africa Programme and our 7th International Congress on Education in Botanic Gardens is being held from 1st – 6th November 2009 in Durban, South Africa.

Contact us if you would like further details about our work in Africa

We need your help to enable the expansion of these successful programmes of work