Anyone sitting in a glass house should network with others who are doing the same. And this is exactly what the botanical gardens at the Arqus universities of Graz, Wrocław, Granada, Vilnius and Padua are now doing. With the Arqus Verde initiative, the members want to work together in future - to preserve plants and advance research.
Sarah Bürli, Head of Science and Research of the Botanical Garden of the University of Graz, is looking forward to the project. She explains: "On the one hand, our aim is to promote education and public engagement. On the other hand - and this is central - we want to work closely together with regard to the conservation of plants."
Taking responsibility with Arqus Verde
But why is it so important to preserve plants in the first place? The expert gives the answer: "There are several reasons for this. But in my view, the main reason is that humans bear the responsibility for climate changes. That means we also have the responsibility to minimize its effects and to protect and preserve nature as best we can."
Collaboration makes plant conservation by Botanical Gardens significantly more effective. best way. For example, cultivating multiple specimens of the same plant species in different locations — such as various botanical gardens — may be an excellent strategy for preserving genetic diversity.
But the project goes even further: it aims to make plant knowledge more accessible through webinars and to provide teaching and learning material in several languages.
Innovation Fund
Arqus Verde is now becoming a reality thanks to the Arqus Innovation Fund - a funding program that support innovative ideas developed by students, researchers and employees of the Arqus European University Alliance, implemented at the international level. The initiative officially launches in autumn with all participants coming together at the University of Wrocław to take the first steps.
To learn more about projects supported by the Arqus Innovation Fund, including the 'Human Chapters' initiative, please visit this link.