The Pretoria National Botanical Garden (PNBG) is now among 46 botanical gardens worldwide to be awarded the highest accolade by The ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Programme and The Morton Arboretum.

Pretoria Rekord reports that the ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Programme is a global initiative that recognises arboreta (a botanical garden specifically focused on cultivating and displaying trees and shrubs for research, education, conservation and public enjoyment), based on its commitment to professional standards, collection development and overall excellence in tree-focused gardens.

A Level 4 accreditation from ArbNet is the highest level that can be credited to an arboretum.

The South African National Biodiversity Institute (Sanbi) says the PNBG is a testament to achieving particular standards of professional practices deemed important for arboreta and botanic gardens.

The ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Programme is the only global initiative to officially recognise arboreta at various levels of development, capacity and professionalism.

The botanical garden is now also recognised as an accredited arboretum in the Morton Register of Arboreta, a database of the world’s arboreta and gardens dedicated to woody plants.

“Being part of ArbNet connects us to a global network of arboreta and strengthens our ability to protect and celebrate South Africa’s incredible tree heritage,” says Mpho Mathalauga, senior horticulturist of the PNBG.

“This accreditation is an important step in the right direction for the PNBG, reinforcing our commitment to the conservation and sustainable management of indigenous trees. Our long-term vision is to establish PNBG as a gene bank for most of South Africa’s tree species, ensuring the preservation of genetic diversity for future generations,” says Mathalauga.

The PNBG, a conservation and research space established in 1946, was opened to the public in 1958. It is a 76ha urban oasis and a pristine getaway in the eastern suburbs of Pretoria.

It serves as the headquarters of Sanbi and the National Herbarium, overseeing South Africa’s National Botanical and Zoological Gardens.

The garden focuses on the conservation, display and research of indigenous plants, especially trees from northern and eastern South Africa, South African cycads and succulent species.

The garden features both landscaped and natural areas, extending into the Magaliesberg mountain range. Some of its unique features include an avenue of Tree Wisterias (Bolusanthus speciosus), and naturally occurring Lekkerbreek (Ochna pulchra) and Magalies Redwood (Ochna pretoriensis).

The PNBG has also been awarded Best Place to Get Back to Nature for 10 years in a row by the Best of Pretoria Rekord Readers’ Choice Awards.

PNBG continues to play a key role in tree conservation, education and scientific research to protect South Africa’s plant biodiversity.

Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel.

Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.