Date published 12 June 2026

Today (12 June 2026) is the very first International Day of Botanic Garden Education (IDBGE) and we are inviting botanic gardens and arboreta around the world to celebrate this day with us.

This year’s day is aligned with BGCI’s Declaration of Intent on Climate Action Education which is a commitment our network makes to contribute to key climate action targets.

Meet our 2026 Education Grantees

As part of IDBGE, BGCI and the Korea National Arboretum launched an Education grant scheme to support BGCI member institutions delivering projects aligned with the Declaration of Intent on Climate Action Education.

Watch our International Day of Botanic Garden video

To showcase the incredible work of educators working within botanic gardens and arboreta, we have produced a short video, in which we asked a range of educators across BGCI’s network to answer one question: What does education mean to them?

How can you get involved?

On social media

Use the hashtag #IDBGE in your posts, and tag us in your activities. Tell us about the brilliant work of your garden’s educators and what you are doing to celebrate.

Follow along with BGCI and our network’s activities taking place across this week.

Sign up to GLOBE

BGCI’s Global Learning and Outreach Network for Botanic Educators (GLOBE) is a place to connect, share best practice and learn from peers. There are a number of ways you can get involved:

Read our special edition of GLOBE (for IDBGE) now:

Background

As part of the closing ceremony statement of the 11th International Congress on Education in Botanic Gardens, in South Korea, 2025, a call was made to reimagine and elevate the role of botanic gardens in shaping a sustainable future through transformative education.

To encourage practical action and collective engagement, 12 June was designated as the International Day of Botanic Garden Education. This day serves as a global call for solidarity in addressing the climate and biodiversity crises, and as a symbol of our shared commitment to overcoming these urgent challenges. Through voluntary participation, the aim of the day is to raise global awareness of the vital role that botanic garden education plays in promoting environmental consciousness and sustainability worldwide.

The campaign is organised by BGCI and the Korea National Arboretum (hosts of the 11th International Congress on Education in Botanic Gardens 2025).

Resources

The Korea National Arboretum (in conjunction with BGCI) have put together a communications kit with logos, guidelines, hashtags and ideas to support those taking part in the campaign.