The 100th Anniversary of Virunga National Park Celebrated in Meise in the Presence of the King
On 29 June, Meise Botanic Garden had the honour of welcoming His Majesty King Philippe on the occasion of the centenary of Virunga National Park, created in 1925 and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This royal visit highlighted the importance of this iconic site, a symbol of both the beauty and fragility of Congolese nature, as well as the courage of the communities living at its doorstep. Located at the heart of the Kivu–Kinshasa Green Corridor—an ambitious project of more than 544,000 km² supported by the European Union, Belgium, the Netherlands and the Virunga Alliance—the park plays a vital role in protecting biodiversity and promoting sustainable development in the region.
As a committed partner of Virunga National Park since 2008, the Meise Botanical Garden has been actively contributing to these efforts alongside the Virunga Foundation. Together, we are carrying out practical initiatives to reforest, support local communities and preserve ecosystems. Thanks to the CliMA Virunga project, more than 1,900 hectares of new forest have been planted in and around the Park, reducing pressure on the primary forests and the habitat of the mountain gorillas. Planting fast-growing tree species provides local residents with sustainable access to firewood. Furthermore, initiatives such as the Botanical Garden’s annual fun run raise funds that go directly to the park and to support the rangers and their families.
To celebrate this centenary and pay tribute to this living heritage, the Botanic Garden presents the exhibition “A Living Legacy– 100 Years of Virunga National Park”, an immersion in words and images into one of the world’s most biodiverse regions. Through a selection of striking photographs, the exhibition reveals the landscapes, communities and innovations that shape this extraordinary park.
This open-air exhibition is accessible until 31 August, along the route from the Green Arch to the Plant Palace.