Holguín Botanical Garden promotes plant species conservation

Photos: Carlos Rafael

The Holguín Botanical Garden (JBH), one of the regions with the greatest flora endemism on the Caribbean island, is promoting several projects to protect native plant species in eastern Cuba.

These projects focus on the evolution, management, and sustainable use of these species, as well as environmental education, visitor counseling and systematic staff training.

According to Eddie Batista Ricardo, director of the institution, the collection includes 88 endemic species and 338 listed in Cuba’s Red List, according to the criteria of the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Batista Ricardo added that the JBH develops environmental education programs aimed at local communities, students of all levels, and senior citizens through talks, interest groups, photo exhibitions, and environmental-themed festivals.

He pointed out that these activities encourage practices that support conservation and proper waste disposal. Additionally, they offer services such as biodiversity assessment in protected areas, floral rehabilitation of beaches, rental of natural spaces for recreation, plant sales, and garden and green area design and maintenance.

The Botanical Garden, located in the Mayabe Valley, belongs to the Center for Environmental Research and Services and is classified as a multipurpose orchard according to the International Agenda for the Conservation of Botanical Gardens. (Source: ACN)