The United States Botanic Garden in Washington, DC

Authors

  • Ari Novy United States Botanic Garden

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24823/Sibbaldia.2016.186

Abstract

The United States Botanic Garden (USBG) was initially established in 1820, though a tumultuous beginning did not allow it to become a permanent institution until 1850. Nevertheless, it is one of the oldest botanic gardens in North America and one of the most visited. This article provides a brief history of the USBG and an overview of its operations and collections. With its central
location in a major US metropolitan region and free entry to visitors, the USBG has a strong focus on visitor services, experience and education. Approaching its 200th year, the Garden is well poised to play a leading role in exciting the American public about the importance of plants to humankind.

Author Biography

Ari Novy, United States Botanic Garden

Executive Director

References

BGCI (2016). North American Botanic Garden Strategy for Plant Conservation, 2016–2020. Botanic Gardens Conservation International US, Glencoe, IL.

CBD (Convention on Biological Diversity) (2012). Global Strategy for Plant Conservation: 2011–2020. Botanic Gardens Conservation International, Richmond.

LANDSCAPE FOR LIFE (2016). Available at http://landscapeforlife.org (accessed July 2016).

SHAW, S. (2015a). Guest Essay: Gardening and mental health. Sibbaldia 13, 3–13.

SHAW, S. (2015b). The positive effects on mental health of visiting botanic gardens. Sibbaldia 13, 51–59.

SOLIT, K.D. (1993). History of the United States Botanic Garden: 1816–1991. US Government Printing Office, Washington, DC.

SUSTAINABLE SITES INITIATIVE (2016). Available at www.sustainablesites.org (accessed July 2016).

UNITED STATES BOTANIC GARDEN (2016). Available at: https://m.usbg.gov/about-us (accessed August 2016).

FURTHER READING ON THE HISTORY OF THE USBG

ALLEN, W.C. (2001). History of the United States Capitol: A Chronicle of Design, Construction and Politics. US Government Printing Office, Washington, DC.

FALLEN, A.-C. (2007). A Botanic Garden for the Nation: The United States Botanic Garden. US Government Printing Office, Washington, DC.

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Published

2017-01-17

How to Cite

Novy, A. (2017). The United States Botanic Garden in Washington, DC. Sibbaldia: The International Journal of Botanic Garden Horticulture, (14), 15–35. https://doi.org/10.24823/Sibbaldia.2016.186

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