Latin America is more than twice as rich in plant species as tropical Africa and is home to a third of the world’s biodiversity, a new paper published today in Science Advances confirms. 

The Institute of Museum and Library Services, or IMLS, awarded the Missouri Botanical Garden two grants to enhance its science programs. One grant will help expand the Garden’s Seed Bank and the other will be used for an entomology lab at the Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House in Chesterfield. 

 Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Missouri Botanical Garden and its partners have decided to cancel the 2020 Japanese Festival for the first time in its 44-year history. The Garden will still hold special activities Labor Day Weekend

Funding from the Bayer will enable individuals impacted by cancer to participate in the Journey to Well-being at no cost. The Journey is designed for individuals to complete a series of reflective walks on their own schedule and pace, with a focus on improving well-being through time in nature, guided reflection, and the inspiration of the Japanese Garden. The program includes three meetings designed to enhance the experience as well as a tour of the Japanese Garden. Funding from Bayer will be available to patients in treatment, patients previously treated for cancer, caregivers, and family members.

The Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House in Chesterfield plans to reopen to the public on June 16.  The first week will be for Garden Members only.

Recent research findings from fieldwork in Australia and Tanzania and a review of global research highlight the important role of species identification in that conservation work. The study, co-authored by Roy Gereau, assistant curator in the Missouri Botanical Garden’s Africa and Madagascar Department, looked at the ecological role of lianas, long-stemmed woody vines that climb in trees, especially in tropical rainforests.

The Missouri Botanical Garden plans to reopen to the public on June 16. To continue efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the Garden will implement additional health and safety protocols. The safety of the visitors, volunteers and staff is our top priority. 

Due to COVID-19 health concerns and continued preventative social distancing measures, the Missouri Botanical Garden will move its planned Origami in the Garden exhibit to 2021.

The Missouri Botanical Garden, Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House, Shaw Nature Reserve, Litzsinger Road Ecology Center, and Little Shop Around the Corner will temporarily close as a precautions to stop the spread of COVID-19.

The Missouri Botanical Garden will host a groundbreaking ceremony for its new Jack C. Taylor Visitor Center at 10 a.m. on Thursday, February 27.