[Science News] – Meise Botanic Garden publishes Science Collections Strategy 2026–2035
Meise Botanic Garden has published its Science Collections Strategy 2026–2035, setting out an ambitious plan to maintain and enhance its science collections over the next decade.
With more than 225 years of history, Meise Botanic Garden manages a unique and diverse collection of living plants, seeds, herbarium specimens, molecular samples, library resources and archives. These collections underpin scientific research on plant biodiversity and conservation worldwide, and contribute to addressing major global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss and food security. They also support international commitments, including the Global Biodiversity Framework and the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030.
Over the past decade, the Garden has made major progress in digitising its collections, with three million herbarium specimens now accessible online through platforms such as the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). Building on this momentum, the new strategy focuses on further improving access, long-term preservation and the scientific relevance of the collections.
The strategy reaffirms the Garden’s long-standing partnerships in Central Africa, supporting the restoration and digitisation of key collections and strengthening regional capacity for biodiversity research.
Five key ambitions guide the strategy:
- Strengthening impact for research, conservation and policymaking by prioritising taxa and regions of expertise and integrating technologies such as DNA sequencing and artificial intelligence.
- Securing the collections for future generations through upgraded facilities, enhanced preservation standards and a unified collection management system.
- Expanding global access by accelerating digitisation, improving online availability and enhancing data curation and interoperability.
- Engaging the public with biodiversity through new exhibitions and interactive platforms that connect wider audiences with the collections.
- Reinforcing our position as a global centre of excellence in biodiversity collections, data and international collaboration.
With this strategy, Meise Botanic Garden strengthens its role as a leading research institution and a trusted steward of biodiversity knowledge for the benefit of science and society.