National Tropical Botanical Garden - NTBG - “The Garden”

Do you know :

·      National Tropical Botanical Garden or “NTBG” is not an individual garden, but rather an institution with four gardens and three preserves in the Hawaiian Islands, and a garden in Florida?

·      although “National” is in its name, NTBG is not a government agency, but instead a non-profit? That the name comes from being the only congressionally recognized tropical botanical garden in the United States?

·      the institution chose Kaua‘i as the place to establish its national headquarters, as well as three of its gardens and its largest preserve? (McBryde Garden and Allerton Garden on the south shore and Limahuli Garden and Preserve on the north shore)

·      NTBG’s programs of discovery, scientific research, conservation, and education are core to its mission?

·      NTBG’s programs expand out from its gardens...throughout the Hawaiian Islands, throughout the Pacific Islands, and throughout other places in the tropical world?

·      that native Hawaiian plants are more endangered than any plants in the United States and NTBG has the largest collection of these plants in existence? (Hawai‘i species account for 42% of the Endangered Species List.)

·      NTBG botanists have discovered dozens of new species in Hawai‘i, including one on the bombing target island of Kaho‘olawe?

·      that NTBG’s botanists will scale towering cliffs and hang on ropes from helicopters to save a plant?

·      during field expeditions to the Marquesas, the Garden’s botanists discovered more than 60 new species?

·      NTBG’s Breadfruit Institute is working with other countries to use breadfruit as a solution to hunger in the tropics?

·      scientific discoveries made at NTBG include finding a plant compound which has anti-HIV properties?  (The drug Prostratin, developed from the compound, is in clinical trials.)

·      NTBG’s mission includes the preservation of ecosystems and cultural knowledge?

·      hundreds of Kaua‘i schoolchildren visit the gardens every year?

·      through NTBG young adults are learning not only to preserve the ‘āina, but gaining skills that will help them in their careers?

·      NTBG has 8 pre-through-12 programs, 6 university and professional programs, and about 10 other programs in collaboration with institutes of higher learning? That NTBG does regular lectures and workshops for the general public?

·      that NTBG has the first LEED-certified building on Kaua‘i, recognizing environmentally conscious design and construction? (LEED Gold Certification)

·      the gardens of the NTBG are some of the most beautiful in the world and have often been on the “10 best lists”?

·      the Garden is supported primarily through contributions from individuals?

·      that every bit of support — through contributions, memberships, and/or volunteering — helps carry out NTBG’s mission?

The mission of the National Tropical Botanical Garden is to

enrich life through

discovery, scientific research, conservation, and education

by perpetuating

the survival of plants, ecosystems, and cultural knowledge of tropical regions.

on the Web at www.ntbg.org                  — July 15, 2009-jll